93 k2500

[smk2500]

Hello, new to the site. I picked up a 93 Silverado 2500 4x4 a few months back. I plan to build it towards overlanding after repairs and maintenance. Here's a pic.

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[skylark]

Hello, new to the site. I picked up a 93 Silverado 2500 4x4 a few months back. I plan to build it towards overlanding after repairs and maintenance. Here's a pic.

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How do you intend to set it up for overlanding?

 

[smk2500]

How do you intend to set it up for overlanding?

As of right now I'm thinking a leveling kit and some bigger all terrain tires, just something that will be a bit better for trails, nothing extreme. A softop for the bed so me and my wife can sleep in the back. I'm still doing alot of research on suspension set ups so it may change. Any advice or suggestions regarding leveling kits, tires, and shocks would be appreciated, this is our first 4x4 vehicle.

 

[stutaeng]

Hello, new to the site. I picked up a 93 Silverado 2500 4x4 a few months back. I plan to build it towards overlanding after repairs and maintenance. Here's a pic.

You must be registered for see images attach

Looks like a clean, nice truck! Congrats! What engine does it have?

Welcome aboard!

 

[Jman95]

Welcome! Seems like a solid foundation to build on. I was going to suggest something similar to my ongoing build for durability, but it looks like you have a 6 lug. I’m not familiar with the 6lug suspension. The leveling kits to my knowledge is not gonna net you anymore than cranking your stock keys. Cranking keys too far can cause your angles to become pretty steep on your front cv axles, causing possible binding or tearing of the boots to allow junk inside the joint causing it to go kablooey (lol). Also too
much cranking can cause more leverage and wear to your ball joints. It effects where your bump stops would need to be as well. Defining “too much crank” would probably turn into an argument with some folk. I wouldn’t go more than an inch, inch and a half or so over stock ride height personally. But my opinion is that leveling kits are a waste of money. That is my .02.

 

[smk2500]

Looks like a clean, nice truck! Congrats! What engine does it have?

Welcome aboard!

Thanks. 350, gas isn't too bad at all.

 

[smk2500]

Welcome! Seems like a solid foundation to build on. I was going to suggest something similar to my ongoing build for durability, but it looks like you have a 6 lug. I’m not familiar with the 6lug suspension. The leveling kits to my knowledge is not gonna net you anymore than cranking your stock keys. Cranking keys too far can cause your angles to become pretty steep on your front cv axles, causing possible binding or tearing of the boots to allow junk inside the joint causing it to go kablooey (lol). Also too
much cranking can cause more leverage and wear to your ball joints. It effects where your bump stops would need to be as well. Defining “too much crank” would probably turn into an argument with some folk. I wouldn’t go more than an inch, inch and a half or so over stock ride height personally. But my opinion is that leveling kits are a waste of money. That is my .02.

Thank you, looking foreword to learning from the community. I have read that cranking your stock torsion keys add stress in places which i definitely do not want.

 

[Jman95]

Thank you, looking foreword to learning from the community. I have read that cranking your stock torsion keys add stress in places which i definitely do not want.

Lots of knowledgeable people here for sure!

I agree, I feel like the same goes with leveling keys, it just index’s the bar which is the same as cranking. That’s why I personally wouldn’t crank, if I did like I said no more than an inch or so over stock. I opted for a 6” rough country kit, and custom spring mounts in the back, I didn’t want to run 6” blocks due to axle wrap, also have heard stories of blocks cracking and I didn’t want to deal with that mess, I also plan to tow with mine though too. Superior makes a 6” leaf spring drop for the pickupshttps://www.superiormachineandfab.com/store/p9/universal-leaf-spring-shackle-bracket.html)
It is painless to install. Just grind the rivets out from the stock mounts and these take their place, I would mount the fronts first and eyeball your shackle angle, might want to move the rears forward about an inch to get a better angle on the shackle.

I think them and Off-road Design make some nice shackle flip kits if your interested in that route, also they make some sturdy super shackles.

Here is how my rear looks at the moment.

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Keep in mind that if you do a shackle flip, you have to drop the rear twice as much as you want it to lift (ex. 4inch shackle flip nets 2inches of lift). Also if you lift too high without dropping the front of the spring, you change the effective angle of your spring. (Instead of springing up and down, a dramatic example would be springing in and out).

Regardless of how you lift the rear you will need to adjust your pinion angle possibly. With a long bed like that you might have a center bearing on the drive shaft (not sure on this one). Might cancel out some vibration but it’s a good idea to keep an eye on that when lifting.

Not sure what your budget is, the rough country kit ran me $899 on amazon, it was on sale at the time as well.

Sorry for the rant.
Feel free to correct me if I’m wrong about anything.

 

[SUBURBAN5]

Lots of knowledgeable people here for sure!

I agree, I feel like the same goes with leveling keys, it just index’s the bar which is the same as cranking. That’s why I personally wouldn’t crank, if I did like I said no more than an inch or so over stock. I opted for a 6” rough country kit, and custom spring mounts in the back, I didn’t want to run 6” blocks due to axle wrap, also have heard stories of blocks cracking and I didn’t want to deal with that mess, I also plan to tow with mine though too. Superior makes a 6” leaf spring drop for the pickupshttps://www.superiormachineandfab.com/store/p9/universal-leaf-spring-shackle-bracket.html)
It is painless to install. Just grind the rivets out from the stock mounts and these take their place, I would mount the fronts first and eyeball your shackle angle, might want to move the rears forward about an inch to get a better angle on the shackle.

I think them and Off-road Design make some nice shackle flip kits if your interested in that route, also they make some sturdy super shackles.

Here is how my rear looks at the moment.

You must be registered for see images attach

You must be registered for see images attach

Keep in mind that if you do a shackle flip, you have to drop the rear twice as much as you want it to lift (ex. 4inch shackle flip nets 2inches of lift). Also if you lift too high without dropping the front of the spring, you change the effective angle of your spring. (Instead of springing up and down, a dramatic example would be springing in and out).

Regardless of how you lift the rear you will need to adjust your pinion angle possibly. With a long bed like that you might have a center bearing on the drive shaft (not sure on this one). Might cancel out some vibration but it’s a good idea to keep an eye on that when lifting.

Not sure what your budget is, the rough country kit ran me $899 on amazon, it was on sale at the time as well.

Sorry for the rant.
Feel free to correct me if I’m wrong about anything.

Man that thing looks awesome. Most lift I'll do is 4" lol. But that sure looks badass

 

[Jman95]

Man that thing looks awesome. Most lift I'll do is 4" lol. But that sure looks badass

Im gonna have to make myself some steps/rock rails for sure haha.