basic lift questions

[waynestiles]

from a relative newbee.
my 87 gw has the stock suspension and the low ratio factory gearing. I thin I'd like to go to a taller tire though not real wide off road type. I'll be drivng it on pavement 90% of the time.

I know form reading that there is a practical limit to the max tire size I can go with the stock gearing, and wiht the factory suspension though I'm not sure exactly what that limit is.

I'd like to add a modest lift, 3 or 4 inches I assume, if that would give me some additional clearance for tires. With that sort of lift can I just get by with switching springs or will I need to change shocks, brake lines etc etc?

How will a modest lift like that effect roadability and highway driving. I drive on a a lot of freeways but also on a lot of twisty-turny backroads. I'd hate to add something only to have raised my center of gravity and created a bit of a risk of rollover.

[irmosc]

2" All spring lift, new shocks due to lift, and 31" x 10.5". Nice combo and you don't stress the gears or steering geometry. Do it right and you won't have drivabilty issues.

[Dirtball]

You can get by with a 2" and 31s on the road, Wayne... but not offroad. You'll need a 4" to be safe offroad, though you say you'll be onroad 90% of the time. However, what about that other 10%? Anything less than 4 inches and you'll hit the fenders when and if you stuff it. And, when you get the lift, do you not think you'll be wanting to go offroad more?

What gears do you have? I don't understand what you mean by low factory gears... sorry... I have 3.54s and 34s and mine does fine on the road. And, I'll tell you one more thing. I don't have a sway bar or anything, and my truck handles a TON better than it did before because my lift springs are so much stiffer; and yes, I have a very twisty road that I drive it on a lot.

With a lift of 4 inches you'll need brakelines, shocks, and maybe a pitman arm; some will say you will and some will say you won't.

[63fordf100]

ok you say that there needs to be a 2"lift to comfortably use 31's. i have an 88 g.wag with nothing to it... i got 31x10.50s from a friend on 15x8 rims from a 78 blazer, they fit great. i was looking to go bigger if possile. i was told that i might get a 32 in there and if i trim about 2inches from my fenders maube 33x9.50's. any takes on that one?

[ThisGuyUKnow]

a rusty's 4" lift cost me about 850 and that price included new ss brake lines shocks springs and u-bolts. Your stock brake lines should be able to handle a 4" lift as i have not even put on the new ss brake lines and there is plenty of excess length. I went ahead and got quick disconnects for 80 bucks from bj's offroad unlike my fellow alabamian:p

[ThisGuyUKnow]

oh and i didnt need a pitman arm and upgraded to 33" all terrain tires

[Chris Barry]

You can do 2inches of suspension lift without needing to replace your shocks and brake lines and shift linkage.

[jlewis]

If you are going to go for a lift go for the BJ's 6in lift. That is what I put on my 83 J-10. It is my daily driver and it does great on turns. I drive curvey roads as well. It will be something you have to get used to. Just use common since on the turns. With 6in lift on the GW I believe you will be able to put 33's under it with out any trimming. You will be happy you went bigger. You won't be able to see a big difference with 2in lift.

"If you are going to go out, GO ALL OUT"

[shimniok]

By bending of the front edge of the rear fender lip in at a 45° angle and grinding of the rocker/quarter seam to match that angle, you can run 2" (ish) lift with 31's on or off road without tire damage due to rubbing. You might get by with an all spring 2-3" lift without this mod but... that wasn't what I ran.

I ran this way for a few years on tough trails. Also ran 31's on stock rig with sagging springs with this 'mod' and prevented tire damage...

Michael