About to order lift/tires/shocks - opinion?

[JonathanBurk]

OK, here's what I'm going with, tell me how it sounds:



Skyjacker 4. 5" lift w/ full rear springs

(5) 35x12. 50x17 ProComp MT's

Bilstein 5100 or ProComp MX-6 shocks (haven't decided)



I don't tow anything but 4 wheelers, but I haul around the farm (reason for MT's) and do a lot of highway travel long-distance (700 mile round trips).



I figure installed I'll be a little over $3500. While the MT's will probably wear pretty quick on the highway, it should be good enough for a while. My current truck has failed around the farm mud lately.



Thoughts?

 

[Spooled-up]

My only concern with the 4. 5" lift is the front driveline angles. Skyjacker makes an indexing ring for the transfer case that twists it down a little and eases the front driveshaft angle. I've heard most people don't use it, but some trucks require it. If you develop a vibration, you might want to get one, especially with all the highway miles. Not sure what that would do to the transfer case shift lever in the cab.



What wheels do you plan to run?

 

[JonathanBurk]

Thanks for the info guys, keep it coming.



As for wheels, I'll be running the stock wheels, because I figure that's my best bet for avoiding DW, since 6. 0" backspacing wheels are few in #.

 

[Spooled-up]

Here's an affordable 6" backspace wheel in an 18" size. There are more and more 18" tires in load range E available now too:



Eagle Alloys



Death Wobble may be caused by using load range D tires in some cases. I know it's not true for everyone, but some have switched to load range E and stopped DW completely without making any other mods.



The Eagle homepage has some new wheels on it. No sizes or specs yet:



Eagle Homepage

 

[Spooled-up]

Not sure what the center bore size is, but I know they are not hub-centric for our trucks. The only wheel I know of that was hub-centric for the Ram was the KORE/Weld wheel which I heard they still make in the same offset, but it's not hub-centric anymore.

 

[Spooled-up]

Jonathan,



How much are they charging you for installation? The lift kits are fairly easy to install on these trucks and you could probably save a bunch of money doing it yourself. There's no welding, cutting, or even bleeding the brakes. I think you just bolt a bracket on to relocate the stock brake line.

 

[SHyans]

Here's an affordable 6" backspace wheel in an 18" size. There are more and more 18" tires in load range E available now too:



Eagle Alloys



Death Wobble may be caused by using load range D tires in some cases. I know it's not true for everyone, but some have switched to load range E and stopped DW completely without making any other mods.



The Eagle homepage has some new wheels on it. No sizes or specs yet:



Eagle Homepage

I'm running those wheels 17x10, BFG 315's, TC 4. 5" lift (500 miles so far)

No rub, no vibe.

Pics in my rig.

 

[SHyans]

nice truck

right back at ya... .

 

[JonathanBurk]

Here is how I'm figuring cost:



$1400 = Skyjacker w/ rear springs

$300 = shocks

$1500 = 5 E-rated tires

$500 = install



However, I'm reconsideirng Kore as we speak.

 

[Matt400]

Thoughts?

Well since you asked. .

My son is running 35's and 3. 73's with 48re and doesn't do well (empty) for mountain driving. You will find running in tow/haul will help. His are D's with a noticeably squishy feel over the 285 C's that were on it, yes C's not E's.



I run 33" D's on my truck and its noticeably more firm than his. I think you would do best to go with an E to help with the reduced stability a lift will give.

As for the lift, you could save a ton of money while not compromising stability near as much and go with a 2" spacer in the front. Turning the caster adjusters for max caster with a 2" spacer allows for caster to still be within spec.



A nice mod we did on my sons truck was to add one more OEM leaf spring spacer to the rear, you should get longer U bolts for this. Doing this got rid of the totally level look of just a 2" spacer in the front and brought back a more pick up look.



Centerline makes an affordable 17x8. 5 with 6" back space or even the wheels my son has that are 18x9 with 6" back space work well. Other than the squishy feel of his lifted larger tire truck it handles acceptable on the highway with no death wobble but it is a compromise from OEM driving his and mine back to back.