2" Body vs 2" Susp Lift-pics?

[disrespecteds10]

I have a '97 shortbed reg s-10 and wanted to lift it a little. I was only thinking 2", but i want to see if anyone has any comparison pics of a 2"body lift vs. a 2" suspension lift. I personally think the susp lift will look better, but if the body lift doesnt look too bad i may just go with that. Although; the added mobility of the suspension would be nice! :)

[disrespecteds10]

Also, i did a search and scrolled thru the posts, but have found nothing concerning the difference between the Reg 4wd and a ZR-2. I have mine parked next to the ZR-2 i currently have in the shop and the rear shackles measure the same for starters, so what is it that makes the ZR-2 higher?

[Barry James]

Different mounting points in the front and the back gets it's lift from dropped leafspring hangers

[high_ohh]

dont go with a body lift they look like crap some people i know have them on their trucks and suspension looks a lot better. rides good to i had 3 inch suspension on my jeep and i loved it

[1993blazerlt]

on a s-10 suspension lifts are expensive, if your looking to keep it cheap go with a body lift it will actually keep your center of graveity lower than the same size suspension lift

[disrespecteds10]

Barry-i don't know. I didn't seem to notice a difference in the mounting, but i guess i can look if another comes in soon.

Yeah, i've been thinking suspension lift, but i agree, a bit expensive. Anyone know a place to get a good price? Also, it will probably sit more often than not due to driving a metro for gas mileage to and from work, and when it's nice i ride my R6. I was thinking if i could simplay grab the parts i needed from a ZR-2 at the yard; i would just swap them. From was written; they seem to be the same parts though, correct? Are the torsion bar keys different maybe? Stronger leaf spring maybe? Not that i'm saying Barry is wrong, but i just couldn't tell the difference.....

[high_ohh]

yea ill admit it is more $$$ but it looks better ive seen truck with the body lift and to me it looks like crap buyt thats me, just research some pics of body lifts before makin a decision

[disrespecteds10]

i was thinking it may not look too bad if i did the 2" body lift and then got the 31x10 tires like the ZR-2.....anyone tried it?

[disrespecteds10]

OK-looking on eBay, which would you suggest-the keys and the leaf springs, or the keys with the shackles?:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/82-03-Chevy-GMC-S10-2-Lift-Kit-Long-Spring-Leveling_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQcategoryZ33585QQhashZit em120086791918QQihZ002QQitemZ120086791918QQrdZ1QQs spagenameZWDVW

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/82-03-S10-S15-ZR2-BLAZER-CHEVY-2-LIFT-S-LEVELING_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQcategoryZ33585QQhashZit em120087788872QQihZ002QQitemZ120087788872QQrdZ1QQs spagenameZWDVW

[high_ohh]

just remeber with a body lift your body will be lifted off frame and you can tell by looking at the back of your truck and sometimes the front wich can and sometimes will look bad but its your decision. either way s10 look sweet lifted i was going to lift my truck back in the day

[disrespecteds10]

courtesy of s10forums.com:

What Makes a ZR2 Different From a Regular S-10?
- RPO ZR2 only full ladder-type frame with modified suspension mounting points which provide:
- 100mm wider track (3.9 inches wider than regular S-10)
- Three-inch suspension height increase
- Enhanced front (7.25" ring gear) and rear (8.5" ring gear) axles w/ 3.73:1 rear-axle ratio
- Larger wheel and axle bearings
- 31 x 10.5R-15 LT/C black wall off-road tires (BFG A/Ts on pickups and BFG Long Trails on BlaZeR2)
- 46mm gas pressurized Bilstein Monotube shocks
- Rear axle track bar (pickups) / rear sway bar (BlaZeR2)
- Wheel flares (black on S-10 pickups and BlaZeR2 / body-color on Sonoma pickups)
- 33mm (early model) / 28mm (late model) front anti-sway bar
- Skid plates

This still does't tell me much though i what i may be able to swap...

[high_ohh]

just block it, wont be a good ride but its cheaper. it will cost a lil over a grand to get a suspension kit and to get it installed and around the same for a body lift so ive heard not sure about that. just search pic and ask around and look up parts

[Barry James]

courtesy of s10forums.com:

What Makes a ZR2 Different From a Regular S-10?
- RPO ZR2 only full ladder-type frame with modified suspension mounting points which provide:
- 100mm wider track (3.9 inches wider than regular S-10)
- Three-inch suspension height increase
- Enhanced front (7.25" ring gear) and rear (8.5" ring gear) axles w/ 3.73:1 rear-axle ratio
- Larger wheel and axle bearings
- 31 x 10.5R-15 LT/C black wall off-road tires (BFG A/Ts on pickups and BFG Long Trails on BlaZeR2)
- 46mm gas pressurized Bilstein Monotube shocks
- Rear axle track bar (pickups) / rear sway bar (BlaZeR2)
- Wheel flares (black on S-10 pickups and BlaZeR2 / body-color on Sonoma pickups)
- 33mm (early model) / 28mm (late model) front anti-sway bar
- Skid plates

This still does't tell me much though i what i may be able to swap...
I said that didn't I ? I also said the ZR2 gets it's lift in the back from dropped leafspring hangers
http://memimage.cardomain.net/member_images/5/web/617000-617999/617713_55.jpg

[disrespecteds10]

ah ha! Thanks! Btw-i realized i was looking at a ZR2 Blazer, and i dont recall that having lower hangers. Anyway, what about the front?

[disrespecteds10]

oh, and no one likes the idea of getting the keyways and shackles...?

[1993blazerlt]

shackles are not a bad way for a small amount of lift, just be sure to check the pinnion angle and put a little extra gear oil in the diff becaue you will be rotating the pinion up starving it from oil at normal levels

[crazy91s10]

a body lift will give you 2" easily with very little hassle. you can also crank you torsion bars and throw on some shackles and get about 1-1.5" of suspension lift for cheap. the 2" lift kits are expensive and are basically a glorified t-bar crank. you will wear out front end parts faster though with a t-bar crank and the 2" lift kits. if you just want a hassle free 2" to fit some bigger tires then i say a 2" body lift... i dont like the way body lifts look either but the 2" doesnt look as hideous as the 3" body lift.

[Rangerfan2.9]

just block it, wont be a good ride but its cheaper. it will cost a lil over a grand to get a suspension kit and to get it installed and around the same for a body lift so ive heard not sure about that. just search pic and ask around and look up parts

dude, whaaaaaaaat???????????????

For a grand you could do a BL, bigger tires, and fender flares.

[dubz_us]

i have to agree with the rest of you.. body lifts look like crap... you could crank up your torsion bars and add shackles... i did, however, take it from me... it's hard on your truck, it wore out all of my bushings, stretched out the torsion bars..... No Good!!!... any how i've got a 2" superlift kit with rear shackles i'd sell.... if interested email me dubz_us@yahoo.com

[disrespecteds10]

Well, i'm a tech at a chevrolet dealership. I've been there 7yrs. The work will not be a problem. This is just the first time i've done an s-10 lift. I know; these darn things will eat BJ's, but i also won't have to shell out the money to have them done by someone =)

I've looked at the rear shackle mounts from the ZR-2 thinking i could just swap them, but all the ones i've seen have a bead weld running around them. If it was just a simple bolt and unbolt; i'd do that. I wasn't sure about the offset keyways for the front-if they are worth it.

Taking a look; i've found these sets for front and rear(maybe they are a bad choise, but it's not $1000) Maybe i should just get the longer shackles and the ZR-2 leaf springs(?)if the leaf springs are different on them:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&ih=002&sspagename=STRK%3AMEWA%3AIT&viewitem=&item=120086791918&rd=1,1

That kit has an add-a-leaf, not longer shackles.

DUBZ, what is all included with your kit? Is this the kit that wore everything out?

Is it just easier to get the longer shackles? Is it best to get the re-indexed keys?

[disrespecteds10]

OK, so i spent the weekend 4hrs away in western Pa. I did my best to take the tools i would need to do a 2" Body lift on an extended cab ZR2. Amazingly enough; i had all tools i needed except the drill bit which i easily acquired! The only problem i ran into was the LF body bolt under the A-pillar floor area. Rusted into the bushing of course, and all that spinning boogered up the threads so the new bolt wouldn't start. Now; if she cannot get her buddy to tap it; i'll have to go back and visit(which is fine with me). Anyway, i think i've decided one thing-I think i'm gonna "go big or go home!" This is my first truck that is just mine, and i f i need a big truck to haul things; i know enough people. So, this can be a bit of a toy =) I was looking at the options for 5 or 6" lifts. Reading the instructions; it looks like the Superlift kit requires you to not only cut, but also weld. I would prefer not to have the welded reinforcement piece. I guess that would leave me with the Trailmaster or the BDS. Am i missing any? Is it my understanding that the BDS is the way to go-aka, most seem to like that kit.....?
Thoughts and suggestions? BTW-maybe this could be added to the sticky on the different lift options because they don't tell you on that thread about what kits you have to cut/weld...

[jeremy_gt]

I agree with everyone else that body lifts look ugly however you could pick up the gap guards and no one will notice.

[Slacker1357]

Screw that. people that I know that even got the gap guards still look worse than a suspension lift. If you're also going for practicality... I would go with suspension to get that frame away from the ground when you want to take some hills (or ruts... my head still hurts *&^@!). as far as the driveshaft, with only 2" or 3" I dont think it'll hurt unless you're off-roading often. But I still suggest you look into getting a different sized shaft.

Mounting points are different on a ZR2 because the frame is made different. its slightly wider and mounting points are spaced different from a normal S-10. this is why alot of lift kits will tell you something is avail. for a regular blazer and not a ZR2 (sux, I know)

For some good info, check the ZR2 section or check out ZR2usa.com
My user name is the same (slacker1357, kinda my computer alias)

[boxcarracer963]

suspension lifts make the ride way better in dirt

[bowtieordie]

here is a pic of my truck with 2 body and 2 suspension, i have 32x11.50s on it

[TreasonAgainstCaesar]

Dude, that thing looks sweet! Do your tires ever rub? If so, where? I just did my 2" lift a couple months ago and I'd like to do a body lift, but money and time are tight right now.

[jeremy_gt]

Just finished my 2" body lift, 1" T-bar crank, and 3" rear shackles. Just need to put some 32x10.5 on her and she will be ready for the NY winter.

[TreasonAgainstCaesar]

s10 or blazer? Does it sit higher in the back than the front now? Just wondered b/c I thought most sat a little higher in the back to begin with.

You might have trouble w/ 32's. My 31's rub every once in a while. I could've fit 32's in the rear, but not the front. Also, who makes a 32x10.5? I didn't look very hard, but I could only find 32x11.5 or 31x10.5.

Oh, and I'd love to see some pics both before and after the tires are on.

[GlennH]

I have a ZR2 with the lengthened Rear Leaf Shackles. Their 3" Longer, basically 1.5" each way. So I got a 1.5" Lift in the rear with cranked T-Bars up front. I have no front clip on, makes for better clearance. I run 31x10.5x15's for 3 yrs with no issues. Soon to get a Body Lift and run 33's.

Here's a nice pic...
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v169/GlennH/2006%2007%2030%20Oak%20Lake/2006_07_30_OakLake_008.jpg (http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v169/GlennH/2006%2007%2030%20Oak%20Lake/2006_07_30_OakLake_008.jpg)

Here's my buds on just a BL and 33's. Its so tight.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v169/GlennH/2006%2008%2020%20Seddons%20Corner/2006_08_20_SeddonsCorner_043.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v169/GlennH/2006%2008%2020%20Seddons%20Corner/2006_08_20_SeddonsCorner_044.jpg

[boxcarracer963]

dont z's come with 31's?

[TreasonAgainstCaesar]

I have a ZR2 with the lengthened Rear Leaf Shackles. Their 3" Longer, basically 1.5" each way. So I got a 1.5" Lift in the rear with cranked T-Bars up front. I have no front clip on, makes for better clearance. I run 31x10.5x15's for 3 yrs with no issues. Soon to get a Body Lift and run 33's.

dont z's come with 31's?

Your ZR2 looks good. I can tell you have a lift. But yeah, ZR2's came w/ 31's stock and should never really have any rubbing due to modified frame and (I believe) larger wheel openings. Your bud's 33's are really packed in there... it looks good though.

[GlennH]

I find stock zr2's with 31's wasn't enough. I rubbed upper front fenders and the inside frame and the sway bar arms near the end links. I still rub my sway bar but with different front shocks ive fixed the front fender rub. The bumper off helps approach angles. I only have a Tbar & Shackle lift.

[TreasonAgainstCaesar]

Interesting... You must wheel that thing pretty hard! :) Approach angles are something that get me sometimes, but I really like the look of my front end as it is.

[GlennH]

ive torn off the front clip on my sonoma twice now. At 935 bucks... its not worth it a third time.

[jms01zr2]

hey i have an 01 zr2 and i want to lift it but i think 6" is just too high for my taste i was thinking about a 2" susp. and 2" body lift CHECK OUT "CAR DOMAIN" THERES A 99 BLAZER ZR2 PEWTER COLOR ( you have to do some searching for it) THE DUDE PUT A 2" SUSP. AND 2" BODY LIFT ON 33s AND IT LOOKS BAD ASS i think if you just put a body lift it will look like crap but if you do both with the right tires it will be awsome check it out id like to hear what people think...might do mine like that

[TreasonAgainstCaesar]

sounds like a nice setup, but I couldn't find the one you were talking about. Do you have a link? I'd think with a buddy lift on a ZR2 you could probably get 32s and it should look good. Of course with buddy lifts, I say you need gap guards though. But if you want 33s, then you probably need the suspension lift or maybe both. Of course, you're also talking about a lot of money for all of it.