I want to lift my '84 truck 2-3" using some lift springs. Will there be any problems with doing this? Will the drag link and driveshafts be able to accomodate that amount of lift? What about the brake hoses?

As a corollary to that question, has anyone used the Rough Country 3" kits? Prices seem real reasonable at around $450 for four springs, so that makes me wonder if they're any good...

Thanks!

You can go up to 4" before problems begin, as long as you think through the entire process first.

You will probably want to convert to hy-steer at the same time. This alleviates the height issues, and eliminates both the torque rod, and bumpsteer.

If I remember correctly, Rough Country = Rough Ride. Pay the $$$, and splurge for the Alcans. A little spendy, but worth the peace of mind. Broken leaves suck.

Your front driveshaft will need modification, as your lift should allow more flex. It will need to be lengthened, and longer splines would be needed. The double-cardan joint should hanle the lift fine. The custom shaft would add another $100-200 to the project.

If you lift, you will also need new brakelines, a longer LSPV bracket, and longer shocks. For more flex, change the front to Ford shock towers, and add more angle to the rears.

Plenty of lift info here. Do a search.

While the Alcan springs are nice they really are not priced anywhere near the Rough Country springs.

Will I think that the issue is not necessarily how high you can lift before you have problems as much as how much travel you have have before you encounter issues. Alcan springs with 2" of lift will create more issues with shocks, brake lines, and driveshafts than a 3" or 4" Rancho lift.

If you want to keep the lift inexpensive consider using junkyard springs, such as stock Toyota rear springs or stock Jeep Wagoneer springs. DRM has spring listings on his website.

For brake lines you can use a stock rear line inline with the stock front line for more length, and for the shocks Ford shock towers work great. The traction bar on the front should keep the driveshaft from seperating, but there really is no cheap way around the steering. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif" alt="" />

Summit racing has the explorer pro comp lift (includes springs, shocks, ubolts, ss brake hoses, and drop draglink) for under $600.
Im considering that option myself.

Thanks for all the responses!

Maybe I confused the issue a bit by asking how high I can go without problems as I'm really not interested in jacking the truck way up. Just a couple inches would be fine, though it seems most kits are 3" lifts.

So here's my situation, maybe you guys can help some more. I just bought this truck and the springs are shot. I spend a lot of time driving, several hours a day usually, so a good ride is important. offroad capability is not so important as 95% of my driving will be on the streets of Seattle or on the freeways. This truck will also be used to take me up to the passes in the winter to go skiing and for traveling on old, washed out logging roads in the summer to get to hiking or fishing spots. I'm also on a really tight budget so may be willing to compromise a little bit on ride quality just to get something that's better than what I have now for a reasonable price. I've read about building your own springs but frankly I don't have the time to go scouring junkyards and then experimenting with putting the springs together to come up with the right combination. I really need a bolt-in solution.

How about just getting some stock replacement type springs and putting add-a-leafs in them?

I realize my expectations may be unreasonable, but if I don't ask, how will I know? Thanks!

I don't think that your expectations are too unreasonable Will. Here is what I would do if I was in your situation:

Get some front Old Man Emu springs (PN OME 99A/B- they run about $200) and matching rear springs (PN OME 17- about $275). If the rear springs are too much for your budget, get a full length add-a-leaf, such as available from Rancho (PN RS60622) and a little bit longer shackle for the rear from Budbuilt, All-Pro, or Sky Manufacturing.

You will likely need new u-bolts and new spring bushings, so do not forget about those. Don't forget about shocks either. I use Doetsch Tech shocks on my truck (Prerunners in front and MV-12s in the rear). They are inexpensive and work well. Bilstiens are a great option but expensive. I think that most lower end shocks, like the Rancho RS5000, are valved too firm for a light pickup.

I hope that helps, if you have any more questions just ask.

Thanks Harry! Good ideas.

I didn't realize the OME springs were that reasonably priced. Is it best to buy them direct from ARB/OME or do any parts dealers carry them at discounted prices? I think $475 for all four springs is doable, will I need the longer rear shackle if I buy the OME rear springs?

Do they not come with bushings? When I've bought leafsprings for my older cars they always came with the bushings.

As for shocks, I used to run Rancho RS5000s on an '84 Nissan Kingcab 4x4 and it rode really nicely. One of my old girlfriends even commented that it rode real smooth for a truck. This was probably ten years ago, do you think they've changed the shocks in that time or is there something about the Nissan that would make the Rancho shocks a better choice for it? What about the Rancho RSX? They are the next step up from the RS5000 and still pretty reasonably priced.

How much do your Doetsch Techs run?

Thanks again!

Just so happens I bought a Pro Comp 4" suspension lift kit 3 months ago. Came with 4 new leaf packs, bushings, shocks, and added the drop steering arm for around 580.00 if I recall properly. This was from 4 wheel parts add in the magazine. They were on sale at the time. The brake lines can be cut at the brackets on the frame, and moved down several inches and rewelded. I did have to lengthen the front driveshaft 2.5" and it seems ok. Tha lift is working great for the trails, and 35" tires. While I was at it I moved the springs one inch forward by drilling the pin hole in the spring perch. This helps a lot on front tire rub, which I have none now. I have used add a leaf before and they sag back to stock after a year or so.

The Old Man Emu springs do not seem to come with bushings for some reason. I was getting my information from this website. I don't think that you can buy direct from ARB, but given that you are in the Northwest you should not have too hard of a time finding their products.

As for shocks, if you were happy with the ride of the RS5000s in the past than I would say that is more important than whatever opinion I give. I do not believe that the shock valving has changed. My shocks were $50 each for the MV12s and $35 each for the Prerunners. Not really that big of a price difference from the RSX if you want to run those. A lot of guys on the board have even been running Monroe gas charged shocks with good results, and those are very reasonably priced.

Get the OME shocks !! You'll be glad you did. With a complete OME setup you'll have a much better ride than a new truck, and ~2" lift.