Lifting an '85 PU

[Dave Reynolds]

I've got a couple of questions about lifting my '85. First, is the torque link needed? If yes, will it need to be modified with a 3" lift?
Second, is a dropped drag link a requirement? Will my stocker be ok?
This truck started life with me as a rust bucket as far as the frame is concerned. I found a frame from a 2 WD long bed (I beleive) and am in the process of finishing it up and doing a part swap from the old truck to this frame.
I ended up cutting 18" frame the frame under the cab area and relocating the rear cab mounts. I had to trash a set of bed mounts but it should be fine.
The frame is prepped up front as far as suspension goes, I was just wondering about the torque & draglinks.

[WildYoats]

If all you are doing is a 3" lift, you can leave the factory torque rod and draglink in place. I ran them with a 4" lift for years. You can remove the torque rod for more suspension articulation, but beaware that when you brake, you will have a lot of steering pull without it in place. There is a extention bracket you can buy for the torgue rod if you need it.

As far as the draglink goes, I really suggest if you go larger than the 3" lift, you save your money and go with a Hy-steer set up. The $100 you save on the DL will go to the HS and HS is like, "the bomb".

I use ALL PRO OFF ROAD's (http://www.allprooffroad.com) Hy-Steer set up.

Good luck and Happy Holidays! :santa:

[Dave Reynolds]

Thanks, thats what I was hoping the reply would be. I'm trying to do this on the cheap so anything that I don't need to replace will be money to spend on other important stuff(like tires!). Happy holidays for you and yours

[Dave Reynolds]

Thanks 85, I guess we have a common interest in doing things inexpensively. I've been comparing my stock frame to my modified frame and there are some issues that I need to adress. There are various brackets that need relocating, things of that nature.
The biggy right now is the steering box. I'm not real sure how my '85 box is going to mount to the frame. The guy I purchased the new frame from said he had set it up for an '86 or newer style. "Crossover" I presume, the shop manual I have isn't real detailed so it's hard to make a comparison. I'll attach a photo of the mounting area, maybe someone could clear up the mounting details?
This pic is looking from the passenger front toward the drivers side

[Dave Reynolds]

Sorry, I'll try again with the picture.

[Dave Reynolds]

That's sorta what I was thinking to. I don't suppose that an IFS box would cost much out of a junkyard. What else would I need?