85' can you get away with 2"lift and stock steering? (1 Viewer)

[motoloco]

Just picked up an 85' today, I am taking it to moab at the end of the month so this must be a QUICK budget build, It is ALL stock, thinking of: 2" lift 33 or 35's weld the rear diff and run a baseline on the drivetrain and GO! Hey, it is a one owner rust free truck for next to nothing! couldnt pass it up. I had a 4" lifted 85 with a drop dralink and it' steering was HORRIBLE!!!!!!!!! How easy is it to toss on power steering if you have all the parts? thanks!

 

[WristPin]

you can put 2" springs on there without modifying the steering.

Gotta have at least 35" tires

Weld that diff!

So you have the P/S pump and brackets, P/S gear, HY-Steer, and the gear truss kit?

you can do it in less than 3 hours if your a good welder

 

[GRM]

I used to run 2" springs, and 1.5" lift shackles with 35's on my 85 4runner. The springs were horrible stiff, but it worked. I cracked drag link ends every 2 trips, so come prepared with spares. A spare J arm isn't a bad idea either.

I ended up ditching my 35's for 31's until I did transfer case gears. With stock gears and 35's, I had to slip the clutch far too much to get it to move, and going downhill because a dangerous affair.

I'd weld the rear diff, and run it in Moab as is. You can still do MANY MANY trails there with 31's.

 

[motoloco]

Thanks for the replies, No I dont have an x-over kit yet, was going to toss on pwr steering (stock push pull) for moab, but maybe I should strong arm it untill I get an IFS box and x-over and do it all at once.

 

[aedavis]

I ran stock push pull steering on my 85 for years without problems, with 2.5" Old Man Emu springs. I've since gone to a crossover setup, but if you aren't beating on it you should do fine.

I would recommend carrying a spare drag link and driver's side J arm - let me know if you need these parts. I might have them in a box somewhere and I'd sell them cheap.

Allan