Okay, so I'm only 18 but i am fortunate enough to have an extensive metal shop at home. I have several years experience in machining and welding. I recently purchased a 2000 Blazer 4x4, and now i want to lift it. I'm in the process of fabricating a grill guard/pre-runner bar and a roof rack, and i need to figure out my lift next. Basicly I can lift it, but since i am new to Trucks in general i don't really know what would be the best setup.

I use this truck as a daily driver so i want it to still be practical on street, but i do some off-roading too, and i would like some bigger tires. My question is how big should i go? I personally was thinking about a 3" Body lift, and a 3-4 suspension lift with a 2" differential drop, on a set of 30/9.5/15. But i am worried that it will be a little unstable in turns.

Also at what tire size should i start thinking about changing out my gear ratio?

Can i please get opinions, thoughts and advice before i go and lift.

thanks in advance

 

I Just went with a 2/2 lift and I was fine with 31s..
I hope to get the 2 inch body lift in this week...

I think a 3/3/4 and then 30s might be a bit much on the lift if you are worried about stability, you might stay in the 1-2 range on susp and 2 body you will still have ALLOT of room.

just my thoughts

check "Bytes Toy" in the sights and sounds.

 

If youre that good at fabricating, go solid axle in the front. The differential drop isnt quite as easy as just buidling a bracket and getting some extra bolts.

To drop the diff, youre pretty much fabricating most of the parts youd be working with in a SFA swap

 

Okay, thanks for the input. Do you recommend any front axles in particular? and does the SFA use leaf springs, or coil overs?, or user preference. I would also like to add that building something is no problem becasue its cheap, but i really want to keep buying stuff to a minimum, my budget is just $400-$500.

 

Go with a 2in body lift and 31's. Its cheap and easy fairly easy to do

 

No way you'll be able to go SFA for 400-500...sorry..

But if you wanna try, start with a Dana 35 from a Wrangler. Theyre real common, but not exactly the strongest out there. More strength = more $$$. Coils vs leaf is somewhat user preference, but I think most people that go leaf spring are for cost and simplicity.

 

Yea, i was guessing that... after looking into i think i want to stick with IFS anyways.

 

Can i run the 31-10.5-15 without changing my differential gears, right now i am running stock gears.

 

yes, thats what i have and i dont have any problems

 

I suppose I will do the 31-10.5, its kind of nice actually i check at the tire shop today and the AT 31's are $15 less then the 30's i don't know why that is, but that is nice since i need 5 new tires.

Will i see any trouble with a 2" body lift? also i haven't looked but i assume the front and especially rear bumper is attached to the frame, so i will need to make brackets to move it up?