I'm looking to lift my '86 Xcab a couple of inches. This is the first IFS truck I've owned in awhile and I'm not sure where to start. Is there a simple, inexpensive way to get two inches without spending $1K?
Need lift advice for an '86 pickup
- Thread starter BrettinSanAntonio
- Start date
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My first question would be if it's a 4wd. I'd assume so from the comment "first IFS in a while" but it's not stated for sure. On a 2wd, sure, no probelm. Spindles or spacers on the front and some shackles on the rear - done. On a 4wd, not quite so easy. Yes, you CAN mess with the front suspension to get more lift - easiest way being to just tighten up the front torsion bars - but I wouldn't recommend that if you're going to be using it offroad much; you'll kill the CV's a lot quicker due to the constant high angle (which is exactly why lifting an IFS any "cheap" way is not recommended). And of course on a 4wd, the rear is open for anything you want to do cheap - Blocks, add-a-leafs, or shackles. If this is going to be a DD or only occasionally wheeled, changing or cranking the torsion bars is acceptable in my opinion. I did it to an 87 xcab I had and loved it as a DD. Changing/cranking the torsion bars added a lot of on road performance due to the tighter suspension, but of course, took away drastically from the off road aspect since the front had NO flex at that point. There's always a body lift if you're just looking to get bigger tires under it.
Hope this helps. Good luck.
Hope this helps. Good luck.
My 87 had a 3" body lift when I bought it. It clears 33s and I've been pretty happy with it so far as a light wheeler.
NW offroad sells 2" lift springs for the rear. Couple these, or extended shackles, with balljoint spacers in front and you should be well below 1K.