83 chevy lift

[heartbeat of the south]

I'm putting a lift on my 83 chevy pickup...does anyone know the higest i can go without changing the driveshaft or steering arm. Thanks

 

[Ron]

4" is pushing it...and thats without flexing much on the DS

But thats enough to clear 40s...

 

[BigWheelBob]

You still need a steering arm with 4".

 

[Ricky B]

Yea def, can't lift her w/o a new steering arm, but they're cheap man, most people I know have 6" lifts with no driveshaft mods other than grinding the tabs off the CV part that limits the flex of the upper joint on the front driveshaft

Or you could do a 3" body lift, no steering or drive shaft mods needed there, plus it makes it soooo much easier to work on stuff underneath it.

 

[gmcjimmy88]

I had 6 inch in the front and 7 in the rear to start with. My rear driveshaft is in the truck but close to being to short. The front was too short to even bolt up let alone any flex. This was the case with my 88 and my 90. 4 inches you might be O.K. but anything more you will need a spacer for the front or a longer shaft.

Check out www.carolinaK5.com, www.coloradoK5.com and www.wheelindixie.com. Lot of fullsize chevy guys there.

 

[Ricky B]

I had 6 inch in the front and 7 in the rear to start with. My rear driveshaft is in the truck but close to being to short. The front was too short to even bolt up let alone any flex. This was the case with my 88 and my 90. 4 inches you might be O.K. but anything more you will need a spacer for the front or a longer shaft.
Check out www.carolinaK5.com, www.coloradoK5.com and www.wheelindixie.com. Lot of fullsize chevy guys there.

Hmm I have done several of the older solid axle lifts and not needed longer driveshafts . . . .

Wonder if different models had different lengths in their front driveshafts?

 

[BigWheelBob]

4" is fine with the shaft, and 6 is always iffy, every truck seems to be different.

 

[Ricky B]

Yea, i guess which drivetrain combo you have would make the difference in lengths