Lifted Extreme

[Fortunat72]

I have a 01 blazer xtreme its lowered 2/3 with coils up front and drop blocks in the back, the ride quality is worse then a shopping cart and i remember how nice my zr2 rode so i want to lift it.. now this is where the questions come into play, ive done a bit of research but since i have an extreme i have no idea what i need. i have 2inch shackles brand new in the box but should i just get stock ls leafs and coils and put that in, then put the shackles and get 2inch lift coils up front or is there 2inch lift spindles (if so which is better) and do i need new control arms and ball joints? i will also be doing a 2inch body lift so i want atleast a 4inch lift from stock ls height and will i be able to fit 33s or just 31s? thanks

[AlabamaNoma]

From a factory S10 suspension, you can several different ways.

For 31's, the most cost effective is 3" spindles, shackles, and a 2" body lift.
Or, keep it all suspension and run 3" spindles, moog 5664 coils for 2", shcakles+add-a-leaf OR axle flip, and clear 31's.
For 33's, you're looking at spindles, springs, axle flip, AND body lift...along with maybe some trimming to the fenders.
33x12.50s will usually need less backspaced rims than factory, along with spacers.
With springs you can throw down some serious cash and rock a long travel front suspension and run 3 to 3½ inch lift springs.
The only time I've seen a 2wd S10 clear 33x12.50 without any trimming it had fabtech 3.5" lift spindles, 3½ lift springs with a long travel kit, rear axle flip, and a 3 inch body lift.

[Fortunat72]

the spindles shackles and body lift sound the best but if i have 3inch lift spindles in the front and 2inch shackles in the back wont that make it look like its sagging in the rear. also since i have an xtreme do i have different leafs and control arms from a normal blazer ls?

[AlabamaNoma]

Quote: Originally Posted by Fortunat72

the spindles shackles and body lift sound the best but if i have 3inch lift spindles in the front and 2inch shackles in the back wont that make it look like its sagging in the rear. also since i have an xtreme do i have different leafs and control arms from a normal blazer ls?

I'm not too keen on the difference of suspension components between an Xtreme or a standard. I believe the arms are the same, but it's different coils.
Don't know about the rear.

If you swap out the rear to a factory style, 2" shackles along with 3" spindles will get it relatively close to level.
The non-xtreme or zq8 trucks sit a lil bit higher in the rear to compensate for load weight when hauling.

[Fortunat72]

So if i buy moog 5664 coils to replace my 2inch drop coils and put the lift shackles in it should be 2inch lift from a factory ls blazer?

[Fortunat72]

The suspension package comes standard on the S-10 Xtreme and 1996-1998 S-10 SS models, but was also available as a separate package. The package included a total lowered ride height of approximately 2" over stock (1.5" from suspension, ~0.5" from shorter tire diameter), thicker front sway bar (33mm), rear sway bar (23mm), quicker ratio (12:1) steering box,upgraded Decarbon or Bilstein gas shock absorbers, and a frame brace on extended and standard cab models.
The lowering was achieved using front coils with a different spring rate, and a 3-leaf rear spring pack.
Wheels and tires were also upgraded to 16" x 8" cast aluminum rim with 235/55/16 Goodyear Eagle GA tires. The style of the wheel was determined if the vehicle had the Xtreme package or not. There are 2 versions of "ZQ8" wheels - 1996-2000, known most commonly as "old style", and 2001-2003, most commonly known as "new style".
The suspension package can be retrofit to any 1982-2003 2wd S-Series truck, although some parts require modification.


i just found this so i do need different leafs

[Fortunat72]

ok so tell me if this all makes sense 2inch body lift then ill get stock leafs off a ls blazer im sure some1 has a set laying around get moog 5664 coils so thats 2inch up front and i have 2inch lift shackles so that 2 inch in the rear. am i missing some thing and do i need different ball joints and control arms?

[BillsDuster]

First thing, an xtreme or zq8 suspension is lowered from the factory 1.5" by way coil springs and leaf springs like was said. Were the blocks added to make it sit level?

That said, because you have a newer (98+) blazer your looking at alot more parts to buy if you wanted to go with all suspension lift. The newer blazers use a unit bearing setup on the front suspension, which is not the same as the pickups. If you wanted to use lift spindles you would also need, s10 pick-up rotors, calipers, pads, bearings and seals. It's been done though!

Blazer bodys tend to sit a bit higher off the frame then the trucks so you might get away with a body lift, and moog5664 coils up front, and stock non zq8 blazer leafs plus 2" shackles in the rear. Ya might clear 31's with that setup, but i'll be close. Unfortinatly with the blazer you gotta really pay to play if you want it sittin high.

Guess I'll be the first to say it....sell the xtreme and just buy a zr2 again if you can.

[Fortunat72]

well i have the shackles and it will be alot cheaper to buy the moog5664 coils and non zq8 leafs or i could probably trade leafs with some1 then buying a new truck. with that being said if i order the body lift, coils and find non zq8 leafs im set right?

[snookaholic26]

I lifted my truck in the picture. used to be an extreme. i hated it. so i lifted it. now i love it. fun to drive. heres what i did. i bought 3in lift spindles, and i replaced the extreme lowering springs with moog coils 5664's. so right there im already 4.5in of lift in thfront over a stock s10. for the rear i replaced my extreme lowering leaf springs with non zq8 leafs from a blazer. so that put me stock s10 height in rear. then i bought 1.5in lift shackle and also installed a AAL. now my truck sits level on 31in tires. with my 31's i had minimal trimming. just the inside and corner fender.

[snookaholic26]

and yes billduster is right. lifting the newer blazer is a little more complicated than lifting my truck. all i had to do was replace a few parts and bam, im lifted. i would have sold my truck for a zr2 but im upside down in it hence why i never sold it. however if you have a chance to sell your blazer then i would buy a zr2. if you are upside in payments like me then lift it. just may be a little more complicated to lift than my extreme was

[Fortunat72]

its gonna be alot cheaper for me to buy coils and non zq8 leafs then selling my truck and getting a zr2. with that being said, all i need to purchase is the moog5664 coils and the non zq8 leafs since i already have the shackles correct?

[snookaholic26]

do you alraedy have lift spindles? or are you gonna do moogs and a body lift with shackle?? remember if you do spindles you will have to use s10 pick-up rotors and calipers

[Fortunat72]

yeah sorry im gonna do a 2inch body lift as well and no im not gonna do the spindles.

2inch body lift
2inch shackles
no zq8 leafs
moog 5664 coils

[What?]

If you have Xtreme, but with 2/3 drop, you can sell em and get zq8 coils so it'll ride much better.

Otherwise as said above, body lift, Moog 5664 OR 2" lift springs, and measure the rear after front lift so you can have rake, level, or prerunner stance, because you may have too much rake and you won't like it, so do front lift first. Measure fenderlip to center wheel cap, raise the rear bumper to your liking height and measure the difference, that's the height lift you'll need, buying shackle from www.bajacustoms.com or www.gmachineracing.com will make the lift shackle for lift length you want(1", 1.5", 2", 3").

[snookaholic26]

31's will be tight with only 2in BL and moogs. real tight. with my lift i was tight with 3in lift spindle and moogs. i had to trim corner fender pretty good. im doin a 2in BL as well very soon here. my 31's might look to small

[What?]

Except the Blazer has weight in rear which makes the front up higher than typical S10 which will give him bit more room, even I can fit 31" with little trimming(looks better).

[snookaholic26]

very true. i keep forgetting that he has blazer not the pick-up. but what about a 3in BL? i know for the 98 and newer pick-ups we can use 1st gen BL for our trucks. just have to fab a few things. but does the same thing go for the blazer?

[Fortunat72]

the moog 5664 coils will lift the front 2inch from stock height on a normal blazer correct?

[What?]

Quote: Originally Posted by snookaholic26

very true. i keep forgetting that he has blazer not the pick-up. but what about a 3in BL? i know for the 98 and newer pick-ups we can use 1st gen BL for our trucks. just have to fab a few things. but does the same thing go for the blazer?

I'm not sure, BUT I wouldn't do it, Blazer has taller frame which mean it'll be seen even much more worse than S10, 2" is what I would stay at. But fit-wise regardless it'll look ridiculous, I do not know.

[snookaholic26]

im not sure on a blazer. but im sure its the same as the s10. depends on the engine. i have 4.3. so after the spring settled i gained 1.25-1.5 inches of lift. remember spring will settle after awhile

[What?]

Quote: Originally Posted by Fortunat72

the moog 5664 coils will lift the front 2inch from stock height on a normal blazer correct?

Yes, maybe bit higher.

[Fortunat72]

this list is all i need right?
2inch body lift
2inch shackles
no zq8 leafs
moog 5664 coils

[What?]

Quote: Originally Posted by snookaholic26

im not sure on a blazer. but im sure its the same as the s10. depends on the engine. i have 4.3. so after the spring settled i gained 1.25-1.5 inches of lift. remember spring will settle after awhile

All 94+ stock Blazer has 4.3.

1st gen has either 2.8 or 4.3, but they are lighter than 2nd gen.

[What?]

Quote: Originally Posted by Fortunat72

this list is all i need right?
2inch body lift
2inch shackles
no zq8 leafs
moog 5664 coils

Wait on shackle, remove drop block but if it's a true Xtreme, you'll need to sell your zq8 for stock leaf spring.

Once you're done with the lift, you can measure the rear lift to front for level OR add an inch OR leave it as Prerunner stance.

[Fortunat72]

i have a 2inch lift shackle brand new in box sitting two feet from me i ordered a year ago for my 04 zr2 blazer when i had it

[snookaholic26]

have you detached that hideous body kit?

[Fortunat72]

the front and im doing the side skirts tomorrow but and i have to order a roll pan and the body lift when i get paid not this friday but next... its gonna be a long 11days fml...

[snookaholic26]

lol i hear ya

[Fortunat72]

but i just order the coils and am i gonna need new shocks in the back?

[snookaholic26]

you dont have to, but i would recomend new shocks with longer travel. definately wouldnt hurt. but i havent changed mine yet. im still using my stock bilstiens

[Fortunat72]

is this 1 coil or 2? http://www.energysuspensionparts.com...prod=MOOG-5664

[Fortunat72]

ok nvm the guy said its a pair

[twistedsmily]

man I got confused ther for a min, hey how bout a before and after pic when you get it done,

[bubbagt57]

if you jump the extreme with body kit ill blow you

[Fortunat72]

Quote: Originally Posted by twistedsmily

man I got confused ther for a min, hey how bout a before and after pic when you get it done,

of course i will

Quote: Originally Posted by bubbagt57

if you jump the extreme with body kit ill blow you

theres a train track at the bottom of a hill thats the perfect spot, ill take u up on this offer lol

[Fortunat72]

just order the body lift from synergy off road same guys i got the shackles from... now its just a waiting game oh well time to look for rims and tires. i was thinking about doin these http://www.shop.synergyoffroad.com/p...&categoryId=25 with a 31 inch tire but idk if 8.5 is wide enough and idk if i should go with the 15inch like im planning or go up to 17inch. any thoughts or suggestion?

[snookaholic26]

do a 15x8in rim with a 31x10.5in tire. that looks good. oh and 3.75-4inches of backspacing on rim

[Fortunat72]

with a 8inch wide rim i can put a 10.5 inch wide tire on?! sorry im used to low pros lol

and this is the stats of those rims i like 15x8" 5x4.75" 4.5"BS

[snookaholic26]

yep thats what i have on my truck. except my cragers are 4in BS. not 4.5. most guys told me to stick with 4in. but wheel spacing can be confusing. atleast it is for me. but search the forum. i think 89sdime posted a goof thread explaining wheel spacing. just search it

[Fortunat72]

yeah ive seen that before im lost with back spacing and offsets and all that shit lol

[snookaholic26]

no worries. im not good with it either. all i know is s10 is (5x4.75) and i have 15x8in cragers with 4in BS on 31x10.5in tires

[What?]

Backspacing is simple concept, look at where mount goes onto lug nuts/brakes. Less backspacing means it'll move toward to inner side of rim WHICH means rim will stick out MORE. More backspacing means it'll move toward to outter side of rim WHICH means rim will stick out LESS.

Great comparision

Look at 2wd(4.75" bs) and 4wd(6" bs)

If you put 2wd on 4wd truck, it'll stick out a lot.


Now you ask, is that good or bad?

Good, wider stance = better handling AND less rubbing toward frame with wider tires = go wider on tires.

Also easier to fling muds onto the truck lol.

I recommend less backspacing you can get on your rim you'll pick out.

[DEBO]

nice

[Fortunat72]

yeah now i feel dumb for not knowing that lol

[Fortunat72]

Coils came in today all i need is for the body lift to get here

[Fortunat72]

look what i got woken up to today



my own little collection



now just to get it all in!!

[low98]

i hate to ask this-but would you mind counting how many blocks you have of each size? thanks for any help...

[90blueS10]

you should put the kit on it and lift it. just for shits and giggles for like a week

[Fortunat72]

Quote: Originally Posted by low98

i hate to ask this-but would you mind counting how many blocks you have of each size? thanks for any help...

12 - 2"x3"

4 - 2"x2"