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Lifting my 97


metalmacguyver

Yeah, I built that.
OTOTM Winner
Joined
Sep 4, 2007
Messages
3,814
Age
38
City
Plymouth MA home, Buzzards Bay MA
Vehicle Year
1997, 1994
Transmission
Manual
I have been collecting parts to lift my truck for a few months and now it begins.

I will be using 6400 shackles and 63" chevy leafs in the back and super lift drop brackets up front.

I will also be building a new rear bumper with an integrated hitch as mine was destroyed by a suburban a few days ago. Carnage pics below.



Before:
n703930719_3564301_8134.jpg


I have been fixing a 98 ranger to sell and use as a daily while I work on my 97.
n703930719_3564302_8464.jpg



n703930719_3564303_8737.jpg


I removed the bed and hosed it off and got a good look at my hitch.

I was at an off ramp and I got rear ended by a suburban. His frame rail right behind the plastic bumper cover hit my draw bar in my hitch. I will let the pics explain what happened.

Oh, BTW, This is a Class V hitch off of an F250 that I cut down and rewelded to fit my frame. It is rated for 8000lbs with a weight distributing system.

Fortunately My frame was not damaged.

n703930719_3564309_493.jpg


n703930719_3564308_210.jpg

n703930719_3564305_9302.jpg

It failed where there was some deep rust pitting.
n703930719_3564306_9622.jpg


And I found some rust that I should fix.
n703930719_3564310_786.jpg



I will be posting progress daily. My plan is to have this all done within the net week. We shall see how that goes.
 
Last edited:
Lookin good, can't wait to see the lift. What springs are you running up front? You might want to go with a 6" spring to compensate for the weight of the front bumper. Just a suggestion. That's my future plan if I can ever get a winch and bumper together for my 97. Good luck.
 
I have springs that came with the lift brackets. They are superlift. I dont know if they are 4 or 6". I would like to eventually go to the skyjacker 8" coils because they are fairly soft and flex well. Compleckz runs them and basically my truck will look like his.


There will be 4.88s coming as soon as I can find a deal on some for an 8.8. That may be a few months though.
 
Ya I've seen Compleckz's truck but doesn't he have 6" drop brackets? I'm not sure exactly but I don't think an 8" spring would fit and flex very well with 4" brackets. I could be completely off though. I've got the superlift 4" springs and they're strong, probably strong enough actually to handle the front end weight but they are incredibly stiff.
 
my 8" SJ springs have sagged so much.. i think i'm down to probably a true 6" now.. last year for inspection i needed to put the 6" coils in (plus 28" tires), and i was 1" under legal. this year with just the 28's on i was .5" under legal--with the 8" coils.. and my tires now have a bit of negative camber too--i could probably get it aligned now. i plan to throw some washers under the coils now to bring it back up a bit and fix the camber.

yes im using the 6" holes, but i think with your heavy ass bumper and 8" springs it will be 6" of lift BEFORE the springs sag..
 
Not trying to jack the thread but quick question on this subject that's been bugging me. How exactly do you fit a taller spring in with drop brackets built for a different spring. Like putting an 8" spring with 6" drop brackets. Do you need a spring compressor and just jam it in there or does it just set in and rides a bit stiffer than a 6" spring?
 
I have superlift brackets with 4 and 6" holds.

I can add coil spacers under the 8" SJ coils if I need to.

It doesnt matter though. I will see what it looks like when I get there and then make the decisions based on what I see.


Dont forget to protect the glass when using a grinder.
n703930719_3567396_8281.jpg


Removed the rear crossmember.
n703930719_3567397_8580.jpg


n703930719_3567398_8870.jpg


I wanted to keep the factory bolts and speed clips so this is what I did.
n703930719_3567399_9169.jpg



My first weld looked like ass.
n703930719_3567400_9478.jpg


But I got better fast. Just a little practice to get the feel back.
n703930719_3567401_9778.jpg


Then I had issues doing the vertical welds. But after a call to my welding guru (Destroyer000), I was all set. Not pretty, but functional.

The top half of this weld was after the call to Cody.
n703930719_3567402_88.jpg

n703930719_3567403_392.jpg


And this is where I stopped for the night. Starting to design the rear bumper/mounts.
n703930719_3567404_715.jpg
 
What do you mean?

i think he meant--the answer is all me.. so yea, with the shocks and swaybar removed its no problem putting the coils spring in..

it works for the same reason that you can put coils spacers on a truck with stock brackets, theres a bit of play in the camber/caster bushings (i have adjustables).. also the heavier extended cabs can stuff a longer coil in cuz they weigh more.

im really tired and having a hard time explaining--hope this helps.
 
Looking good, I'll be keeping an eye on this build. Good luck.
 
your not finished yet.. wtf.... haha just kidding keep it up
 

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