4X4 S10 Lift Kits

[BlaneSVT]

well my race car is done now, do I work on bagging my 96 or lifting the 04?

damn these trivial decisions!

[GeorgesBlazah]

Lift it sucka!

[orangesonoma]

[BlaneSVT]

That looks fun... Ive been 4wdless for about a year , selling my F350 was a bad decision. Im glad Im back in a 4WD truck! I never even realy got a chance to take that deisel beast off road. I sunk my old cheap cherokee in 4ft or mud though!

[GeorgesBlazah]

If the F350 was a 6.0 be glad you got rid of it

[rbe10741]

2 in lift isnt worth lifting it at all why not go with like 4 or 6?

[Orionstheone]

Quote: Originally Posted by SandBlastedS10

Good info,
thanks for posting this.

the best kit out is the superlift 6 inch one wish it was available 5 years ago


i own a 95 s-10 4 door with TM 5 inch kit superlift control arms torsion keys k@n intake custom exhaust 2 " blocks in rear as well as spring over running 36 by 14.50 swamper radials on 15 by 10 rims jacobs ignition and more its my baby lol

[orangesonoma]

Quote: Originally Posted by Orionstheone

the best kit out is the superlift 6 inch one wish it was available 5 years ago


i own a 95 s-10 4 door with TM 5 inch kit superlift control arms torsion keys k@n intake custom exhaust 2 " blocks in rear as well as spring over running 36 by 14.50 swamper radials on 15 by 10 rims jacobs ignition and more its my baby lol

post more pics in our lifted pic thread.. i want to see it!!

[BlaneSVT]

Quote: Originally Posted by GeorgesBlazah

If the F350 was a 6.0 be glad you got rid of it

Nope, 7.3, wasnt stock either. ****er moved out and left a cloud of black smoke behind it.

[GeorgesBlazah]

Nice, the 7.3s were solid motors. The 6.0s were complete garbage.

[BlaneSVT]

Quote: Originally Posted by GeorgesBlazah

Nice, the 7.3s were solid motors. The 6.0s were complete garbage.

agreed, trans wasnt so solid though.....

[GeorgesBlazah]

Quote: Originally Posted by BlaneSVT

agreed, trans wasnt so solid though.....

True.....no trans is really solid behind a built desiel though lol.

[BlaZerFreaK92]

hows it goin! i just picked up a 92 s10 blazer with a 5"TM lift kit and a 3" body lift on it for $400!!!! i was wondering if there was anything i should check out on it before i start driveing it and taking it wheel'n..... is there anyway i can tell if the lift was done half ass??????

[Orionstheone]

anyone have the parts list required to do a SAS on my s10 blazer i know i need a 79 d44 and a ford 9 in rear anyone who can help thanks

[89-S-Dime]

RinkRat456 has writen a nice Tut on this, here is the link:
http://www.s10forum.com/forum/f134/m...e-pics-295223/
might wanna PM him too

Here is the the part list he posted:

FRONT
Front 1987 Jeep Grand Wagoneer Dana 44, 6x5.5" bolt pattern
Passenger flat top knuckle milled drilled and tapped for crossover steering
Sky-Manufacturing "thick" billet steering arm, Sky stud kit for passenger knuckle 4" drop pitman arm from Jeep Cherokee
Draglink from pitman arm to passenger knuckle provided by Sky-Manufacturing
Tie rod in lower location on knuckles
Chevy dual steering stabilizers for front mounted to tie rod
Bilstein 5150 shocks all 4 corners: 255/70 valving front, about 12" travel (they're all leaking before I even put them on, probably going with Bilstein 7100's)
Sky Toyota full width crossmember
Sky shackle mounts
Sky axle flip kits
Custom length, fully boxed shackles
3" Tuff Country EZ-Ride lift springs for 73-87 Full size Chevy, spring rate 325lb
Yukon Power-Lok limited slip differential for front
4.30 Dana ring and pinion
1/2 ton single piston calipers
12" cross drilled and slotted rotors
23" stainless kevlar wrapped brake lines
Rock Crusher Dana 44 differential cover

REAR
Axle over leaf in rear
Custom leaf spring pack, 2wd main leaf with #2 #3 and overload leafs from ZR2
1.5" lift shackles (lift shackles + ZR2 pack already lifted it 4")
1995 Rear Isuzu Rodeo Dana 44, 6x5.5" bolt pattern
Yukon Power-lok Limited slip differential for rear
4.30 Dana gears
Vented 12-1/4" rotors
1/2 ton single piston calipers
Bilstein 5150 12" travel shocks, 170/60 valving rear (again, leaking, probably going with 7100's in same travel and valving)
23" stainless brake line
Rock Crusher Dana 44 differential cover

[techweenie]

Just thought I'd vouch for the BDS 5" kit. I have it installed on my 94 Blazer and it was worth every penny. The only problem with the kit I've run into is how it utilizes the stock spring perches on the rear axle. If they aren't fully welded they will break and your axle will rotate and grind the shit out of your u-joints. It's not really a problem with the kit, but the stock axle. Overall, the BDS kit is rock solid and has some nice features not found on the Trailmaster kit. I've been going pretty easy on it for fear of breaking stuff, but, considering the fact I rammed a tire into a tree stump a couple weeks ago and didn't damage anything, I think I've been going a little too easy.

I'm running 32" BFG A/T's and I had to moderately trim the front fenders to get them to clear. They still rub in some extreme situations. I didn't have to trim anything in the rear. I'm going to try 33's when I need new tires.

A quick word of advice to go with any suspension lift on an S10: Invest in the heaviest duty stuff you can find for idler/pitman arms, tie rod ends, and ball joints. OE replacements wear out insanely fast and you'll end up spending way more in the end. Both Spicer and Power Performance make heavy duty parts that are highly rated. There was some talk about uniballs a while back, but they were found to have a short lifespan and are no longer available. Word on the street is Power Performance has the best ball joints money can buy.

[lt250rracer]

what modifications are needed to do a 3 inch body lift using an older kit. on a 2001 blazer.

[BatwingZ]

Lots of good info in here.. didnt knwo BDS made a Non-Z model 5" kit...
Also on the suspension component stuff.. Ive heard that MOOG stuff is some of the best stuff you can get... Very strong and great quality.

[HighRidinS10]

any input on a 2" PA body lift for a 95 S10 ZR2? And do you recommend the 2 inch or 3. Thanks

[BlkBlzr01]

[quote=89-S-Dime;3695339]

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
quote]

do these tires sizes apply to any combo of lift? im thinking of doing a 3'' body lift and then a 2'' suspension lift on my 96 4dr. would i still be able to fit 15x8 Cragar Soft 8's with 32's?

[techweenie]

[quote=little-ten;4650473]

Quote: Originally Posted by 89-S-Dime

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
quote]

do these tires sizes apply to any combo of lift? im thinking of doing a 3'' body lift and then a 2'' suspension lift on my 96 4dr. would i still be able to fit 15x8 Cragar Soft 8's with 32's?

32's will fit but you will need to trim the fenders a little up front. The back should be fine. The backspacing of your wheels will determine exactly how much needs to be trimmed. I have 15x8 wheels with 4-1/2" backspacing and they stick out pretty far. I'm pretty sure if I had 5-1/2" backspacing I wouldn't have to trim as much plus it would look better. My tires don't even come close to rubbing on the frame.

[2000zr2s10]

What about lifts for ZR2's and what tire will fit them?

[HighRidinS10]

Quote: Originally Posted by HighRidinS10

any input on a 2" PA body lift for a 95 S10 ZR2? And do you recommend the 2 inch or 3. Thanks

cant anyone help me?

[SPECTACLE]

Any or all of these kits work on the crew cab models??

[techweenie]

Any suspension lift will work, but I'm not sure about body lifts. The number of mounts and/or location may be an issue.

[s10furlife]

I installed the Rough Country 2" suspension lift last year and am happy with it so far, but I am going to be adding a 2" body lift with 0 offset wheels and hopefully 32's, but Im already thinking bigger and I was wondering what input anyone has about the Trailmaster 5" lift. I figure that with the 2" body lift would easilly fit the 33*9.50's I want to put on it...any thoughts?

[techweenie]

You will want new upper control arms with the Trailmaster kit because the stock ones become too weak when they are trimmed for shock clearance. The BDS kit includes new tubular control arms. Either way, one of those lifts paired with a body lift will clear 33's will minimal trimming. Personally I think a 9.5" wide tire will look goofy, but they will greatly reduce stress on the suspension. In fact, I think my 32x11.5's look too narrow.

[s10furlife]

Quote: Originally Posted by techweenie

You will want new upper control arms with the Trailmaster kit because the stock ones become too weak when they are trimmed for shock clearance. The BDS kit includes new tubular control arms. Either way, one of those lifts paired with a body lift will clear 33's will minimal trimming. Personally I think a 9.5" wide tire will look goofy, but they will greatly reduce stress on the suspension. In fact, I think my 32x11.5's look too narrow.

I agree they may look narrow, and I'm not going for less stress on my suspension. I am going for better off road performance, and I know that the narrower the tire the better digging power its going to have...and I figure I can use the upper control arms that came with the Rough Country 2" lift...sound good? Me personally I dont like the big wide tires for off roading they just float on top of stuff and get stuck easier because they have less weight psi to help them grab.

[PPASMF]

this is a great thread for anyone lookin to lift w/o straight axle swap. the only one i would know anything on is the 5" trailmaster lift kit for early models. i have one on my 89 s-15 jimmy and it has worked out great. still need to do many mods though to fit 35's under it. major fender trimming!!! well hope this helps anyone out.

[s10furlife]

Quote: Originally Posted by PPASMF

this is a great thread for anyone lookin to lift w/o straight axle swap. the only one i would know anything on is the 5" trailmaster lift kit for early models. i have one on my 89 s-15 jimmy and it has worked out great. still need to do many mods though to fit 35's under it. major fender trimming!!! well hope this helps anyone out.

Did you put a body lift in your truck? cuz if you didnt thats a whole other thought...if i did the body lift too I would probably be able to fit 35's under my truck with the right wheels...but i do like the narrow tires...so maybe i would stick with the 33 * 9.50's anyways

[Blazin_Jason]

What are the differences in the 98+ BL kits compared to the 94-97 kits?

[Tim99Zr2]

Quote: Originally Posted by HighRidinS10

cant anyone help me?

i put a 2" on my Z, along with a tbar crank and cleared 33's with some trimming.

[PABlazin]

Ok, I am new here. I read this whole thing, and would like a little bit of clarification. Talking to the local 4X4 center, they are telling me the BDS 5" lift and the performance accessories 2" body lift is the best way to go for my 1998 Blazer 4Dr. I wanted the 6" Superlift, bu they said that it was not worth the money if I plan to use it every day. this will be a daily driver as well as trail runner, but is it really better to stay with BDS for ride quality?

I plan to run 33's either way, and I know I can either way, but between the kits, and what modifications needed for both, is there an advantage either way?

Also, if anyone is from PA, Lancaster county, is there anyone better to install a lift? I do not have the time or the tools to do it myself, so I need someone I can trust to be as anal as I would be.

Thanks for the help.

[Bazer]

I just found this site and think it is great that there is a S10 site. I have owned numerous S10's and had to find out alot of this info by trial and error.

I noticed alot of different posts on fitting 33's. I have a 91 S10 Blazer that fit 31's BFG AT mounted on the original steel wheels (the ones that have the little 4x4 center cap) with no mods to the truck. Later on I put a 3" BL on it and am waiting for my 2" suspension lift to come in so I can put my 33's under it. As far as I know you do not have to make any mods to make them fit doing it this way. Infact even when I took it 4 wheelin at R/C up in PA, I took it on alot of the blue trails and had no pobs at all. Not a serman/just a thought.

[Tim99Zr2]

Quote: Originally Posted by Orionstheone

anyone have the parts list required to do a SAS on my s10 blazer i know i need a 79 d44 and a ford 9 in rear anyone who can help thanks

you can use many different parts. it all depends on what you can spend, how much lift you want, how strong, and amout of time under the knife.

i just did a SAS for 800$ AT MOST.. and rinkrat456 (is now banned no thanks to me) spent a few grand on his SAS

[PABlazin]

Quote: Originally Posted by Tim99Zr2

i just did a SAS for 800$ AT MOST.. and rinkrat456 (is now banned no thanks to me) spent a few grand on his SAS

how did you do it for only $800? care to share?

[jthorrocks]

ya no dought id like to do a sas for under $800 is it all junk yard parts? and how much is the kit brand new?

[Donahue]

the cheap way to do a sas is to buy a donor vehicle, like say an 81 wagoneer. take both axles from it (dana 44 and AMC 20), and use them. keep the spring if you want to use them, or sell them off because they are highly sought after. now sell everything else from the donor vehicle, the motor, the trans, the good body panels, and scrap the rest. also, sell off any of the IFS that you are removing, and if you already have a lift, then sell it too. my friend did this and made $600 on top of what the cost was for the swap. in the end, he made money doing a sas, its not that hard but you just have to be patient and willing to do the work to part out the donor vehicle.

[Tim99Zr2]

Quote: Originally Posted by PABlazin

how did you do it for only $800? care to share?

well is what saved me $ is that i can weld / fabricate my own parts.

here is a price list so far.

1991 Jeep D30 - 100$
1991 Jeep steering linkage - 60$
1996 Chevy Zr2 rear springs - 100$
1984 GMC Jimmy Springs (for a AAL) - 30$
Front Crossmember steel and misc steel parts - 30$
Wheel adapters - 70$
Shocks - 80$
hardware - 25$

need to buy
Pipe for shock hoops - 30$ ish
Rear shocks - 80$
drop pitman arm - 70$

eh, i think that is about all i needed to buy. for now. i will think of more later. and i will repost it. all that works out to 675$ for now. althou i know thats not all i bought, and will buy. just a estimate

[PABlazin]

^^^^^^ Thank you bud. I am lacking the facilities to install this myself. Figured if I were to spend the money, I should go all out and get the right setup, but I would need it installed. Nice to know the parts I need, at least most, but now the trick will be finding someone to do it for me, or with me.....lol. However, there is a local shop that will do the IFS lift. You happen to know anyone around this part of PA that can do this?

[Tim99Zr2]

nah, i dont know of any shops. i do all my work myself

[blazerboy97]

Where is the cheapest place to pick up a superlift for my 97 4 door? After much thought ima go ahead and lift in in a couple months here.

Brian, what size tires are you running??

[BlazerKydd]

What are the years these lifts are availible for? Will the superlift fit on an '86 4x4 blazer. Also, does anyone know if there are heavy duty cv joints for same year? i am looking to do a V8 swap, but i don't want to lose my IFS. I'm going to be running close to 415hp and 440ft/lbs.

[Donahue]

the lift kits should fit almost all years of s10's, certainly including your 86. i think you are probably out of luck for the cv's but they might make something a little stronger but still not bullet proof by any means. do you want to keep the IFS for handling reasons?

[BlazerKydd]

yeah, mostly for ride comfort, it is going to be mostly a daily driver, but i want the ability to go off roadin when i feel froggy, and i get that hair a lot. but yeah, mostly for long trips and such

[Donahue]

just so you know, a good sas can ride better than maxed out t-bars, especially if the tires are large enough to reek havoc on the IFS components. but then again, i might be reading into your build a little too much. how tall do you want it?

[BlazerKydd]

Tall enough so that i can fit 33x12.5 Baja Claw Radials underneith with out trimming the body.

[Donahue]

you could probably do that with a 6" kit and maybe a BL. your only other choices are going to be sas if you are for sure not wanting to trim.

[ChrisInVT]

For the price of a 5" lift, why not trim the body?

[BlazerKydd]

Quote: Originally Posted by ChrisInVT

For the price of a 5" lift, why not trim the body?

I haven't done it before and i really don't want to mess anything up. I'm kinda hoping to keep this truck for a long time. I wouldn't mind doing it, if I knew what I was doing and was confident that it would all come out even. I don't even know how much is involved, what all has to be removed? Where do I trim, what do I trim, how do I know to even out all the sides. I'm sure it gets covered up by the Bushwacker Fender Flares, but still, i want a clean finish.