Hot Rods Lifting a 61 GMC

Hello everyone, have a 61 gmc fleetside 1/2 ton. Looking to lift it, nothing crazy, maybe 2-3” but looking around and not finding many options. Im guessing bc of the twin I beam front suspension and X frame make it difficult but does anyone know of a “easy” way to lift it a few inches?

Aside from a frame swap to a later style I don’t really see many options, but with an I beam setup, X frame and trailing arms I’m guessing it would be a real pain to lift and not throw off the caster/camber, any help, pics or ideas would be greatly appreciated


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you are going the wrong direction with it by going higher, most here want to go lower

 

Twin I Beam? Thought that was a Ford better idea.
-Dave

 

Hockey pucks under the body mounts.
Cheap Canadian lift kit.

 

Sorry!! Meant torsion, been working on damn ford vans too long haha


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I do like the lowered look of it but a couple inches up and a little bigger tire would help here in the winter and I wouldn’t have to keep my car, would rather be able to use my truck year round but I’m on the north shore which is hilly and gets snow and ice enough that a lowered truck would just sit there most of the winter, was literally doin ball joints on a E series ford that’s why I beams where in my head. Could I just loosen the torsion bars to get a couple inches of list and put some blocks in the rear ?


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You should have an independent not Twin I beam in a '61 Gimmy.



It should be torsion bar and the easiest way to lift it is tighten up the torsion bars. Then take it to the alignment shop to get it aligned.

 

All right! A truck that wont sit like it has 3 tons in the bed and a C15 under the hood!

 

Did you forget what sight your on? Isn't there a regular Chevy truck sight for this info?

 

Thanks porknbeaner, I appreciate the help


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Here I was thinking it was kinda refreshing to hear about somebody not wanting to lower the thing down in the dirt.

 

Yeah apparently you and I are the only ones Leon haha. Still think it’s better to be able to drive it year round than starts at it but that’s just my .02 cents


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You mean,, so you can actually use it? USE IT???
Hunh, year round coolcar use in loung oisland. kinky, but I like it.

 

I know, I’m coming out of left field with this but yeah that’s the idea haha. Actually drove it everyday for three years when it still had the generator, which is half the reason I’d like an actual tire that could not slide around, did three winters that way and would rather not again but still want it my main driver


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Those that haven't lived where there is deep snow don't understand the advantages of a little more clearance between the ground and the chassis. I grew up in South Dakota, and lived in Iowa and Minnesota before moving to the Kansas tropics so have a bit of experience with both lowered and lifted vehicles. Give me a tall one in the snow, and I'll get the groceries home every time.

Crank up the torsion bars on the front like Beaner said, and some lift blocks/spacers on the rear axle.

 

With global warming and rising sea levels, two inches may be be enough.

 

Thanks Ebbsspeed, yeah it’s nice to have it low and looking nice, but a whole lot nicer to be able to get out of a snow bank and drive haha


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Relatively narrow tires, fairly tall with aggressive tread work best. Gary

 

Listen to what roadster1927 says.

I grew up in the Lake Superior snow belt in the fifties and sixties. Nobody lifted their trucks to get through the snow. Lifting the suspension doesn’t help anyway, as the sales are what drags. Tall skinny snow tires work.

 

I assume you meant axles instead of sales? In a lot of O/T cars like I drove in the snowy locations that I lived, there was a lot of stuff that was lower to the ground than the axles, but I understand your comment. And it is true that the skinny old snow tires have a huge advantage over the wider "all season" tires.
As far as lifting trucks, I think the OP's truck is lowered now, and he wants to lift it a bit. He did say in post #6 that "I like the lowered look of it, but...." so I assume he's trying to get it back up in the air a bit. I may be wrong.

 

Ok thanks guys, I’ll check them out as well, any brand or style you recommend?


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From my experience (well over 50 yrs out here in the territories of Western MA) valid facts in the above replies. Add ice and short of chains there's nothing like studs on the high narrow tires to get and keep you going. High centers of gravity are NOT your friend, think more leverage working against the tire contact patch...... Unloaded trucks are noted for getting loose quick in the rear on snow and ice covered roads, doesn't hurt to tote around some ballast during the winter, keep it secured in the bed (or on the body deck) just ahead of the rear wheels.

Ed