START HERE - lift kit list
#1
01-11-2008, 02:53 PM
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: North Jersey
Posts: 3,066
START HERE - lift kit list
I grabbed this from another site *cough*s10forum*cough*88-S-Dime did a great job with this list.... lol.. Its great list of info about each lift Kit.
Lift kits available for your IFS 4x4 S-series
Superlift 2" lift kit:
This kit comes with new torsion bar adjuster keys that attach to the rear end of the torsion bars. These load the torsion bars and determine vehicle ride height. Replacement tubular, upper control arms make realignment possible. For rear lift, the options are add-a-leafs and/or shackles. This lift is known to cause premature wear of CV boots, ball joints, idler arms and pitman arms due to the more severe angles created by the upper a-arms and t-bar crank. Although 2" to 3" can be achieved using this lift, that is the maximum and will increase wear.
Rough Country 2" lift kit:
This kit is very similar to the Superlift 2" lift. It also comes with new torsion bar adjuster keys to lift the front and new upper control arms. For rear lift it provides shackles. Also included are front shock relocation brackets and polyurethane bushings.
Trailmaster 5" lift kit:
This kit comes with differential drop bracketry which helps maintain factory C.V. joint angles. It includes new steering center link tie-rod extensions and shocks. However, because it utilizes stock upper a-arms, you need to cut them for shock clearance. Rear lift is achieved by relocating the leaf springs from bottom to top of axle. This lift is also not without problems, in some trucks there doesn't seem to be enough camber adjustment, which causes the insides of both front tires to wear VERY badly due to the tops of the tires are still laid in about 2.5 degree's. This is caused by the way in which drop brackets are mounted. If they are a fraction of an inch off it could cause this problem. The best correction is adding the upper control arms from the Superlift 2" or Rough Country 2" lift. Depending on the amount you go off-road, you will see premature wear of idler arms, pitman arms and halfshafts. If you use the kit with stock, cut upper control arms they may break.
BDS 5" Lift kit:
These kits also use differential drop bracketry. However, instead of tie-rod extensions, a dropped center steering link is supplied as well as new upper control arms for appropriate shock clearance. Also included are brake line relocation brackets and one-piece front & rear cross members that increase frame rigidity and are locked together with a differential skid plate. Rear lift is achieved by rear spring over axle conversion.
Superlift 6" lift kit:
This kit comes with bracketry that lowers the factory upper & lower control arms 6". Both front & rear legs of each upper control arm are captured by a single bracket then additionally strengthened with cross members. Rigidity is further increased by a unique belly-pan that connects the two lower control arm cross members. A new "dropped" centerlink and Centerlink Stabilizing System to support the centerlink, prevent premature pitman and idler arm wear. Front CV axle angles are addressed by lowering the differential 5 1/2". Rear lift is achieved by relocating the leaf springs from bottom to top of axle.
Body Lifts
are the cheapest way to lift your S-10; by lifting your S-10 you gain extra room for bigger tires. Pros of body lifts include stock ride characteristics and a taller stance. Some people don't like body lifts because the frame is exposed, this can be corrected by installing Nurf Bars and Gap Guards. 2" body lifts are available for 84-04 S-10's and 3" body lifts are available 84-94 S10's and one company makes 3" body lifts for S-10's up to 97 and this kit can be modified to work on late model S-10's as well.
2" Performance Accessories Body Lift
2" BDS Body Lift
For more lift, you can do a solid axle swap. Most people opt to fabricate their own SAS. There is one place that provides somewhat of a SAS Kit and this would be Fabritech Motorsports
Fabritech SAS (Solid Axle Swap)
For 9 or 11 inchs of lift. It provides a Dynatrac Dana 44 that is setup externally like a Dana 30 Cherokee front end. For the rear, the kit includes nothing, as they recommend a spring over relocation and lift blocks. The front coils, steering, and brake lines come with the kit. You will have supply the front shocks, housing, and all the rear suspension components. The kit includes the following: Driver's and Passenger's Coil towers w/ bump stop assys., Adj. trac bar and adjuster, Coil tower support bar, Upper and Lower 4 link bars, Rear 4-link mounting brackets, Rear trans. x-member, Upper 4-link mounts, Coil retaining hooks, Front coils and brake lines, Pitman arm, Tie rod assy., Drag link assy., Bushings and Hardware. FYI-They DO NOT sell to individuals, only to 4wd/speed shops. For more info, see: www.setstr8.com
What tires will fit?
No lift or Torsion Bar tweak & 2" Rear Shackles
Torsion bar tweaking can gain you 1-1.5 inches. If you get more it means your torsion bars were sagging or low from the factory (typical with the Sport package).
205's (standard tire size)
235's (optional tire size)
30's should clear all but the ones with sagging torsion bars
31's should fit with minor trimming/reshaping, anything larger needs lift.
Tire Sizes with 2-3" of lift
31's should fit, if using stock wheels expect the tires to rub on the frame and sway bar at full lock
32's should fit with minor trimming
33's should fit with massive trimming
Tire sizes with 5-6" of lift
32's should easily clear, if using stock wheels expect the tires to rub on the frame and sway bar at full lock
33's should fit with minor trimming
35's may fit with massive trimming
Tire sizes with 7-8" of lift (With 2" Body Lift)
33's should fit easy
35's should require minor trimming with 8 inch wheels, more if 10 inch wheels are used
36's would require massive trimming to be done.
9" lift (SAS)
37" tires should fit easy
38.5" tires may fit with a body lift or trimming.
TIRE CALCULATOR SITE:
http://www.miata.net/garage/tirecalc.html
Lift kits available for your IFS 4x4 S-series
Superlift 2" lift kit:
This kit comes with new torsion bar adjuster keys that attach to the rear end of the torsion bars. These load the torsion bars and determine vehicle ride height. Replacement tubular, upper control arms make realignment possible. For rear lift, the options are add-a-leafs and/or shackles. This lift is known to cause premature wear of CV boots, ball joints, idler arms and pitman arms due to the more severe angles created by the upper a-arms and t-bar crank. Although 2" to 3" can be achieved using this lift, that is the maximum and will increase wear.
Rough Country 2" lift kit:
This kit is very similar to the Superlift 2" lift. It also comes with new torsion bar adjuster keys to lift the front and new upper control arms. For rear lift it provides shackles. Also included are front shock relocation brackets and polyurethane bushings.
Trailmaster 5" lift kit:
This kit comes with differential drop bracketry which helps maintain factory C.V. joint angles. It includes new steering center link tie-rod extensions and shocks. However, because it utilizes stock upper a-arms, you need to cut them for shock clearance. Rear lift is achieved by relocating the leaf springs from bottom to top of axle. This lift is also not without problems, in some trucks there doesn't seem to be enough camber adjustment, which causes the insides of both front tires to wear VERY badly due to the tops of the tires are still laid in about 2.5 degree's. This is caused by the way in which drop brackets are mounted. If they are a fraction of an inch off it could cause this problem. The best correction is adding the upper control arms from the Superlift 2" or Rough Country 2" lift. Depending on the amount you go off-road, you will see premature wear of idler arms, pitman arms and halfshafts. If you use the kit with stock, cut upper control arms they may break.
BDS 5" Lift kit:
These kits also use differential drop bracketry. However, instead of tie-rod extensions, a dropped center steering link is supplied as well as new upper control arms for appropriate shock clearance. Also included are brake line relocation brackets and one-piece front & rear cross members that increase frame rigidity and are locked together with a differential skid plate. Rear lift is achieved by rear spring over axle conversion.
Superlift 6" lift kit:
This kit comes with bracketry that lowers the factory upper & lower control arms 6". Both front & rear legs of each upper control arm are captured by a single bracket then additionally strengthened with cross members. Rigidity is further increased by a unique belly-pan that connects the two lower control arm cross members. A new "dropped" centerlink and Centerlink Stabilizing System to support the centerlink, prevent premature pitman and idler arm wear. Front CV axle angles are addressed by lowering the differential 5 1/2". Rear lift is achieved by relocating the leaf springs from bottom to top of axle.
Body Lifts
are the cheapest way to lift your S-10; by lifting your S-10 you gain extra room for bigger tires. Pros of body lifts include stock ride characteristics and a taller stance. Some people don't like body lifts because the frame is exposed, this can be corrected by installing Nurf Bars and Gap Guards. 2" body lifts are available for 84-04 S-10's and 3" body lifts are available 84-94 S10's and one company makes 3" body lifts for S-10's up to 97 and this kit can be modified to work on late model S-10's as well.
2" Performance Accessories Body Lift
2" BDS Body Lift
For more lift, you can do a solid axle swap. Most people opt to fabricate their own SAS. There is one place that provides somewhat of a SAS Kit and this would be Fabritech Motorsports
Fabritech SAS (Solid Axle Swap)
For 9 or 11 inchs of lift. It provides a Dynatrac Dana 44 that is setup externally like a Dana 30 Cherokee front end. For the rear, the kit includes nothing, as they recommend a spring over relocation and lift blocks. The front coils, steering, and brake lines come with the kit. You will have supply the front shocks, housing, and all the rear suspension components. The kit includes the following: Driver's and Passenger's Coil towers w/ bump stop assys., Adj. trac bar and adjuster, Coil tower support bar, Upper and Lower 4 link bars, Rear 4-link mounting brackets, Rear trans. x-member, Upper 4-link mounts, Coil retaining hooks, Front coils and brake lines, Pitman arm, Tie rod assy., Drag link assy., Bushings and Hardware. FYI-They DO NOT sell to individuals, only to 4wd/speed shops. For more info, see: www.setstr8.com
What tires will fit?
No lift or Torsion Bar tweak & 2" Rear Shackles
Torsion bar tweaking can gain you 1-1.5 inches. If you get more it means your torsion bars were sagging or low from the factory (typical with the Sport package).
205's (standard tire size)
235's (optional tire size)
30's should clear all but the ones with sagging torsion bars
31's should fit with minor trimming/reshaping, anything larger needs lift.
Tire Sizes with 2-3" of lift
31's should fit, if using stock wheels expect the tires to rub on the frame and sway bar at full lock
32's should fit with minor trimming
33's should fit with massive trimming
Tire sizes with 5-6" of lift
32's should easily clear, if using stock wheels expect the tires to rub on the frame and sway bar at full lock
33's should fit with minor trimming
35's may fit with massive trimming
Tire sizes with 7-8" of lift (With 2" Body Lift)
33's should fit easy
35's should require minor trimming with 8 inch wheels, more if 10 inch wheels are used
36's would require massive trimming to be done.
9" lift (SAS)
37" tires should fit easy
38.5" tires may fit with a body lift or trimming.
TIRE CALCULATOR SITE:
http://www.miata.net/garage/tirecalc.html
Last edited by nj4x4blaze; 07-28-2010 at 07:26 PM.
#3
01-12-2008, 09:27 PM
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: North Jersey
Posts: 3,066
RE: Lift Kit list
No driveshaft mods needed... Just need to get your y-pipe modified because with these kits they include a new bracket to lower your front diff. And what happens theh y-pipe is in the way and it blocks the drive shaft for your 4wd. It's a simple mod that any muffler shop can do. Other than that these kits include everything you need for the install. I would just recommend getting new upper and lower balljoints.
#5
02-28-2008, 03:24 PM
RE: Lift Kit list
BDS also offers a 2" lift for '94-97 S-trucks, for under $200. Here's the link:
2" GM S Series Body Lift
This kit comes complete with front and rear bumper relocation brackets, tow hooks relocation, fuel fill extension, fan shroud relocation, as well as new body block and hardware for a clean simple installation. There is no welding required and thorough instructions to walk you through every step.
Has anybody here used this one?
2" GM S Series Body Lift
This kit comes complete with front and rear bumper relocation brackets, tow hooks relocation, fuel fill extension, fan shroud relocation, as well as new body block and hardware for a clean simple installation. There is no welding required and thorough instructions to walk you through every step.
Has anybody here used this one?
#7
02-28-2008, 05:45 PM
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: North Jersey
Posts: 3,066
RE: Lift Kit list
I can't take credit for that write up. 88-s-dime on S10forum did it. I just copied and pasted it here. That's why I gave him credit at the begining of the post.
#8
03-12-2008, 07:52 PM
RE: Lift Kit list
Dude I have to say this is the best web site I have ever found. I'm a first time Blazer Owner and this site has made me fall in love with my Blazer. I'm not at all a Machanic, but a carpenter. Anyways my bestfriend is the machanic and we do trade offs betwen are two trades. You guys have been so helpful and awesome! O.K. It's going to be a few months before I get a lift and tire's but I think I'm going to get the2' inch lift with the 3'body lift. not sure what brand but the one my buddy picked out would be around 750 cause I'm not trying to spend to much money. Anyways I got my 96 4WD LS for 1100 bucks and have to replace the sterring box Part cost 75 bucks. I thought I had to replace the rear end but I got lucky and it was just a bearing, Thank GOD!!! It has a 140000 thousand miles on it but the engine and tranny runs like new. Oh yea I'm buying the whole bearing swap kit for 197 and a new hogs head cap for 20. He's only charging me 450 for parts and labor, oh and he did a coolent flush cause the previous owner mixed orange and green and you all know that = MUD. Is that a steal or what? Once again thak you guys so much
#9
03-13-2008, 05:41 AM
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: North Jersey
Posts: 3,066
RE: Lift Kit list
Keep us updated when you start to do your lift.
#10
03-21-2008, 01:43 PM
RE: Lift Kit list
I also made up a list of 4wd lift kits back in 2006. It's not a written comparison, but a list of what was available.
https://blazerforum.com/m_25912/tm.htm
https://blazerforum.com/m_25912/tm.htm