1992 K2500 Lift questions

[ldonohue06]

I am getting my grandpa's old 1992 ext cab long bed k2500, with the 350 SBC, it is a non-heavy duty model (only 6 lugs) and I'm having trouble finding lift kits for it. I'm learning as I go so I don't know a lot, but the few lifts I have been able to find happen not to be compatible with a light-duty 2500, all of them are for the HD or the 1500, would those lifts still bolt right up or would I need to redo a lot of the suspension. I'm looking for a 2-4 inch suspension lift, I feel the 6-inch from RC would be a bit much but if it is my only option it would work. So far I have looked at Rough Country, zone, BDS, and Skyjacker, although Skyjacker is apparently hard to find. I plan to fit around 30+ inch tires on the 16" American racing outlaws I already have. Thank you for any help!

 

[99xcss4]

your ld K-2500 uses the same lift kits that the K-1500 uses. if you do not have a lot of money I would get this kit https://www.roughcountry.com/product/configurable/gm-suspension-lift-kit-276 also save some money up and rebuild your front end at the same time you put the lift on you will need the front end re-alined

 

[Komet]

K1500 and K2500 LD share the same suspension parts. I believe the only differences between the two are spring rates, rear axle, and brakes.

 

[Keeper]

I plan to fit around 30+ inch tires on the 16" American racing outlaws I already have. Thank you for any help!

Just refresh the suspension parts that need it. You do not need a lift kit to run 285/75r16 which advertise at close to 33" but run at 32".

 

[Nad_Yvalhosert]

Like it's been said. Light duty 2500 is basically a heavy half ton, and it'll use a half ton lift kit.
You don't need a lift for 30" tires, in fact you can lower the truck and drive on 30s. It likely came with 31 or 32 inch tires from the factory. My '88 1500 had 225/75s and my donor '88 2500LD had 245s.

 

[Supercharged111]

K1500 and K2500 LD share the same suspension parts. I believe the only differences between the two are spring rates, rear axle, and brakes.

Same axle and brakes as a heavy half ton, almost the same leaf pack as well. But all different from regular half ton stuff. +1 to what's already been stated, you can fit a 285/75/16 on there right now.

 

[gmt400wt]

Rear axle is different from 1500 to 2500LD. Not sure as to front suspension or axle, but the rear end in a 1500 used what is considered the 10 bolt rear diff cover and had an 8.5 inch ring gear and is also a semi float rear. 2500LD had the 14 bolt diff cover and had a 9.5 inch ring gear also was a semi float rear. I've read mixed things between gmt400 platforms that 1500 used the 8.25 front and rear 8.5, 2500LD used a 9.5 rear and some say they have a 9.25 up front some say they have the 8.25 front. I know 2500 and 3500 8 lug pickups had the 9.25 front axle and bigger rear axles. I know between the 1500 and 2500HD used a different size ball joint and the spread where the upper control arm mounts to the frame are also different. Also 1500 vs 2500 and 3500 have a wider spread of frame rails that the 1500 does which is partially why the 1500 was longer cv axles and longer control arms which is probably why another of people have to modify another of stuff under the front of a 1500 frame to mount the 9.25 front diff under a 1500. But 2500LD I am unsure if front suspension is shared with the 2500 platform or the 1500 platform for front suspension. I am currently in the process of buying a 2500LD once weather gets nicer for parts and can definitely get some measurements for you for the front end. My buddy and I are in the process of trying to aquire his 1500 suburban back that we swapped in an nv4500 into but we are planning to swapped the diffs from the 2500LD into that suburban due to it being used quite a bit but we will know more weather or not it also had the 8.25 or the 9.25 front axle.

 

[Supercharged111]

Rear axle is different from 1500 to 2500LD. Not sure as to front suspension or axle, but the rear end in a 1500 used what is considered the 10 bolt rear diff cover and had an 8.5 inch ring gear and is also a semi float rear. 2500LD had the 14 bolt diff cover and had a 9.5 inch ring gear also was a semi float rear. I've read mixed things between gmt400 platforms that 1500 used the 8.25 front and rear 8.5, 2500LD used a 9.5 rear and some say they have a 9.25 up front some say they have the 8.25 front. I know 2500 and 3500 8 lug pickups had the 9.25 front axle and bigger rear axles. I know between the 1500 and 2500HD used a different size ball joint and the spread where the upper control arm mounts to the frame are also different. Also 1500 vs 2500 and 3500 have a wider spread of frame rails that the 1500 does which is partially why the 1500 was longer cv axles and longer control arms which is probably why another of people have to modify another of stuff under the front of a 1500 frame to mount the 9.25 front diff under a 1500. But 2500LD I am unsure if front suspension is shared with the 2500 platform or the 1500 platform for front suspension. I am currently in the process of buying a 2500LD once weather gets nicer for parts and can definitely get some measurements for you for the front end. My buddy and I are in the process of trying to aquire his 1500 suburban back that we swapped in an nv4500 into but we are planning to swapped the diffs from the 2500LD into that suburban due to it being used quite a bit but we will know more weather or not it also had the 8.25 or the 9.25 front axle.

It's a widely known fact that the 9.5" came in heavy half tons with the RPO F44. Exact same axle, almost the same leaf pack.