81 pickup multiple questions
#1
81 pickup multiple questions
Ok I bought this for a mud toy and deer lease rig its ugly and rusted up and don't know anything that was done to it before i got it. So i was looking up suspension lifts and was wondering how high it should sit off the ground with stock suspension and 31's.
#2
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If I remember right when I measured from the bottom of the framerail under the door to the ground it was like 21" on my '81...that's with stock suspension on 31s
#3
ok thanks mine is about 20" making sure before i got a lift kit that it wasn't already lifted. Another question what would be better all new leaf springs or just the front with blocks in the back.
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depends on the condition of your current rear leafs... most likely the bushings are shot so Id atleast replace all of those and would defininately stay away from blocks and do an add a leaf or shackles in the rear and replace the front springs with OME leafs and if you got the $$$ get all new leafs from OME
#6
yeah i was thinking the 3" but i kinda want bigger but then i'ma suck the gas mileage and not have any pull at all the 22r just isn't to strong. Can you fit 35's with a 3" lift?
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#9
35s will rub the springs in the rear and steering/springs in front most likely unless you get the right back spacing or wheel spacers.
You're steering will hate you too.
:wabbit2:
You're steering will hate you too.
:wabbit2:
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Im running 33x10.5 on 15x7 w/3.75 on my 81 with stock suspension and dont rub at all... I have run 35s on stock suspension and same wheels and only rubbed the steering box at full lock, and touched the cab when flexed. A 3" lift would be perfect for 35s unless you are willing to add wheel spacers and cut fenders, then you could clear them no problem
Last edited by 4x4YOTA; 07-31-2012 at 05:15 PM.
#17
so if i get a 3" lift i have to get high steer. and what do you mean w/3.75 whats that mean. Like i said I'm new to the lifting and big tire stuff this is my first mud toy truck. And how difficult will it be to turn without power steering with 33's or 35's because 31's isn't to hard to turn
#18
No you CA still use your stock steering with a 3" lift, if you want high steer it generally needs 3" of lift for clearance.
3. 75 is the wheels backspacing.
http://www.4wheelparts.com/tire-whee...ckspacing.aspx
Steering difficulty from my experience is related to tire width not diameter. Wider tire means more friction (rubber on concrete) = more work to turn..
3. 75 is the wheels backspacing.
http://www.4wheelparts.com/tire-whee...ckspacing.aspx
Steering difficulty from my experience is related to tire width not diameter. Wider tire means more friction (rubber on concrete) = more work to turn..
#19
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35 x 12.5's rub a little in front and back of fender when flexed out a bit with 3" lift (did on my 81). 4" should get you the clearance to fully flex, or close to. I still have stock (push/pull) power steering with a drop drag link, beefed up tie rod, and aftermarket steering stabaliser. It works just fine, not great, but gets the job done. I wish I had the money laying around for high steer though. Been lusting after it for years.
Do you have a PLAN for what you want or are you brainstorming right now? If you know what you want and what you want to do with it the guys on here (and the search function) are a great help.
Do you have a PLAN for what you want or are you brainstorming right now? If you know what you want and what you want to do with it the guys on here (and the search function) are a great help.
#20
i've been looking up alot of lift sizes all i can find is like 3" 3.5" 5" and 7" but the 5 and 7 has blocks in the back. I want to be able to fit 35's on it but only problem i'm coming with thats major is no power steering. And since it rubs some with 3" i might get 2" body lift even tho i don't like how they look.