I have this 96 chevy I love. I want to fixer up I also want a small lift 2-3" figured new leafs that lift 2-3 inches and torsion bar leveling kits will do it any one have experience with that? and if your running it now can you include pics. also I am pretty sure I want the rancho 5000 for a more supple ride. Is the 9000 series alot stiffer as has been reported on some posts:confused:

If you find a leveling kit for the front,,, PLEASE post the company and the part #. I can not find one. Every leveling kit I find is for 2000s and newer.

If you find a leveling kit for the front,,, PLEASE post the company and the part #. I can not find one. Every leveling kit I find is for 2000s and newer.
there are 2" torsion keys on e bay like $100 just search for k2500 lift

If you find a leveling kit for the front,,, PLEASE post the company and the part #. I can not find one. Every leveling kit I find is for 2000s and newer.

here is the company
http://suspensionmaxx.com/mm5/8b_k2500_k3500.html

I have this 96 chevy I love. I want to fixer up I also want a small lift 2-3" figured new leafs that lift 2-3 inches and torsion bar leveling kits will do it any one have experience with that? and if your running it now can you include pics. also I am pretty sure I want the rancho 5000 for a more supple ride. Is the 9000 series alot stiffer as has been reported on some posts:confused:


Have a look in my "garage" A lot of pics in there. I'm running a 3" Rancho Lift (fits only 6-lug axles) with Rancho 5000 shocks an some additional 40mm blocks between rear axle and leafsprings.

Pice is/was ~ 600 Bucks at Summitracing plus 200 for the shocks.


Cu,
Sven

Don't buy keys. The factory tortion bars on our trucks will max out the suspension onto the bumpstops. New keys are NOT better than cranking stock keys. They do NOT give a better ride as the ads claim they do. If you want lift and a stock ride, you need a kit that has a-arms and a diff drop. I don't know if anyone makes a 3" suspension lift for our trucks in an 8 lug variety, but if you find something, post it up as I'd love to lift my 'Burb a bit more. :)

Bill

I've got a 3" Rancho lift on the front and BDS Springs on the back. New Upper A Arms and Keys. Ride is good but the angle on the tie rod ends (outer) is extreme IMO. Had one fail, as in SNAP, at the pivot last November...curve...ungood.

Why the Rancho Lift...price was good and....

Previous Owner had cranked the stock keys up all the way and did an "add-a-leaf. I had already replaced upper and lower ball joints as well as everything between the outer tie rod ends to include those and wasn't happy with the ride or what might be going on underneath. So I had a local shop do an inspection and discovered I had some issues. Hence the Rancho kit.
During the installation, the tortion bars had to be cut and pounded out as they were trying to round out inside the keys. The new bars are from a 2500 HD.

Leaf springs were cracked so I opted for the BDS units. Found out later they were 6" lift springs so the truck has a slight downward angle. I wasn't happy with the Rancho shocks so replaced those with BDS 5000 series units. Better. Still, if I had to do it all over again, I'd save a little while and pay the extra cash and go with a BDS 6"...still might. All I neednow is a few of the front end parts from their kit and some stock upper 'A' arms from the junk yard to replace the Rancho ones.

Hope this helps.

Paul

i know rancho offers a 4'' lift kit and for that size they are supposed to be one of the best. i would strongly suggest staying away from a body lift. the only reason i have one is due to the fact it came with the truck when i bought it and i wasnt gonna take it off. when looking into lifting my truck they no longer carried a lift kit for the 8 lug. so my choice was to go with the tuff country 4 inch. also proven to be a very good lift. but if you look at my sig youll see im running an rcd lift. not only that but its also a 6''. thats all thanks to the local shop that decides whats best for me aftr i tell them what i want.

Why do you suggest to stay away from the body lift?

Bill

Why do you suggest to stay away from the body lift?

Bill

the only issue i know of with body lifts is the smaller diameter of the lift puck eventually in a couple years punches through the passenger side floor on 88-98 extended cabs due to the lack of bracing like the driverside has, the way to prevent it is to put a steel plate on top of the puck that is the same or slightly larger than the diameter of the stock bushing plate.
i have not looked at my reg cab or crew cab to see if it would also cause that same issue, but my guess would be yes.

i had to repair quite a few cabs that had that issue and nobody knew of that issue before buying the kit

the only issue i know of with body lifts is the smaller diameter of the lift puck eventually in a couple years punches through the passenger side floor on 88-98 extended cabs due to the lack of bracing like the driverside has, the way to prevent it is to put a steel plate on top of the puck that is the same or slightly larger than the diameter of the stock bushing plate.
i have not looked at my reg cab or crew cab to see if it would also cause that same issue, but my guess would be yes.

i had to repair quite a few cabs that had that issue and nobody knew of that issue before buying the kit

this is one reason i say no to body lifts. plus im not a fan of the sunlight between the bed and frame. i mean dont get me wrong to each his own just my reccomendation. the previous owner who installed the body lift on my truck also cut the shroud. so ive noticed some problems with heat.
just seems to weaken the truck lifting the body off the frame. though i will admit the whoever did the body lift on my truck did a good job. just isnt my choice to put one on

steve