Adding spacers for front end lift -

[KatDiesel]

I'm bored and want to add a 2" lift to the front. I was going to order from Jack It their Tuff Country spacers and two new front shocks.



Another member here in Omaha just got it and put it on today, but I haven't got to see it yet.



Those of you that have done something similar, are the spacers the only things needed? Or is there something else I should consider getting as well?



Thanks in advance

 

[Pete Peterson]

Kat, you might want to look into longer trailing arms. I think TMTT had mentioned a plce where he got his 2 inch lift. The front end man at Dodge said to get a trck bar that is adjustable to everything back to spec... ... ... ... ... ... Pete

 

[Ram_Kowboy]

I bought the leveling kit from Jack-it. Good product, easy install. My only complaint is the tires are rubbing the factory molded mudflaps. I guess the next step is the new trailing arms.

 

[KatDiesel]

Originally posted by Ram_Kowboy

I bought the leveling kit from Jack-it. Good product, easy install.

So you just installed the spacers and shocks... nuthing else? Everything seems kosher steering wise?

 

[DAWG-1]

Lifts

Hi KatDiesel,

What size tire do you plan on? If you are just going to level it, then spacers should be fine w/longer shocks.

I went with the Skyjacker 2 1/2" lift with upper and lower links and dual gas shocks. Would not run dual shocks with anything smaller than a 35" tall tire (too stiff). DT Pro Fab Track-Bar. This is a very nice set-up and it also allows you too re-center the front end. My truck drives like it should have from Dodge after I fixed it.

 

[KatDiesel]

Well eventually I would like 36" Parnelli Jones Dirt Grips, after I get the Skyjacker 4. 5" lift. But thats a ways down the road at this point. Since tires, wheels, lift be around $4,000 or so (just a rought guess). I have 285/75/16 right now, and I just want to bump the front up a lil bit is all. The Tuff Country spacers are only $180 (w shocks).

Thats the reason I am going for the inexspensive spacers for now... . big lift comes later.



Is there a website for that track bar so I can get some more info?

 

[KatDiesel]

Originally posted by KatDiesel

Is there a website for that track bar so I can get some more info?

Found it : DT Pro Fab

 

[DAWG-1]

Hi Kat,

I was out getting meds. Anyhow if you are going to do the Skyjacker lift and trackbar later, I would just use spacers now. However you will be amazed at how nice it will drive when you put the big lift on. When you contact DT let him know what lift you are useing, he is nice to deal with. I told a couple of people up here with the Skyjacker 4 1/2" lifts. They bought the trackbar and are very impressed. Sam

 

[Cooker]

KAT, I'm with the others. If you are eventually going to a bigger lift just go with spacers and shocks for now. If you can fit it in your budget the trackbar would also be a nice add-on at the time you add the 2" spacers. IF you are planning on staying with the 2" for many, many miles I personally would recommend longer/stronger control arms, but it is not a must.



My $. 02

-Ryan

 

[Big MAK]

Had mine done down the street at Ultimate Truck. If I remember correctly the spacers were about $200 for the pair; plus 2 Ranchos at about $89 each.



2 1/2 inch spacers. new shocks. re-alligned the front end at the 'Suspension Shop Inc' on F St. No problemo; handles even better now. If you have the reallignment done at the Suspension Shop on F make sure they bolt the front wheels back on ... but you know that story.

 

[KatDiesel]

Originally posted by Mark Kitchell

Had mine done down the street at Ultimate Truck. If I remember correctly the spacers were about $200 for the pair; plus 2 Ranchos at about $89 each.



2 1/2 inch spacers. new shocks. re-alligned the front end at the 'Suspension Shop Inc' on F St. No problemo; handles even better now. If you have the reallignment done at the Suspension Shop on F make sure they bolt the front wheels back on ... but you know that story.

Ment to ask you about your Mark, which company spacers you use? Also wanted to ask if you like the dual stabalizer setup and if it makes a difference? I think my single Rancho is getting worn out? Plus the rust on it makes me sick so gonna ditch it. Gonna strip the shocks off my truck (since I gotta get two new fronts anyhow) and replace them.



This place on F St, they reasonable and do an ok job other then the lugnut problem??? I'm not sure if I like the guys at Ultimate Truck too much.



So for now I am thinking

Spacers

Shocks

Maybe track bar



Anyhow thanks for the replies so far... ... .

 

[KatDiesel]

Originally posted by Cooker

KAT, I'm with the others. If you are eventually going to a bigger lift just go with spacers and shocks for now. If you can fit it in your budget the trackbar would also be a nice add-on at the time you add the 2" spacers. IF you are planning on staying with the 2" for many, many miles I personally would recommend longer/stronger control arms, but it is not a must.

Budget? Unfortunatly I don't know the meaning of that word



I figure the 2" spacers will be on for less then 20,000 miles (I hope) then I will prolly sell them to a friend that just got an 01. 5 (JTeel).

 

[ET]

I contacted tuff country about longer trailing arms and a track bar relocation kit and they have longer arms and a relocation kit. this was his reply.

Its sounds to me like you need longer control arms and a track bar bracket for the front axle. We do have them for a 3" lift that I think will work on the 2" you have. The arms run $125. 95 for the set of 4. The track bar bracket runs $19. 95. If you have any more questions let me know.



Thanks

Shawn @ Tuff Country

 

[Big P]

Do it right and get the track bar. I put spacers in my truck and I'm convinced that they are the reason for my two bad track bars. The only thing it does to the steering, I'm trying to picture the front suspension now, is that the bar that goes from the steering box to the tie rod needs to be lenghtend to re-center the steering wheel. The other reason to get the track bar is to re-center the axle under the truck because it will be out by 3/4". BTW every time I look at the front of my truck and see the axle is off it bugs me!

 

[nps]

Sounds like the longer arms and track bar bracket are the way to do it right - even with a 2" lift.



Was a lot of discussion sometime back about the shorter arms being a contributing factor to the 'death wobble'. Alignment was also a contributing factor. Don't know if anyone ever got to the bottom of it.



I'm planning to do a leveling and won't do it without keeping the front end geometry intact.



Neil

 

[WOWZY]

Kat, I chose the Skyjacker leveling kit because the stock springs in the front were a little too soft. My truck would do a little bucking down a concrete highway because the fronts were alot softer than the rear leaf.



These Skyjacker coils really improved the ride and handling and doesn't nose dive anymore when some idiot pulls out in front of you and you have to jamm the brakes.



I was going to get the spacers also and my local 4x4 shop showed me a pair that came out of a Cummins Ram like ours and were made of some sort of plastic or urethane and they had started developing cracks in them. The owner of the shop said that our engines have too much weight for anything other than steel or aluminum. Too dangerous for my taste. If you wanna go with the spacers, the steel ones would be the best choice, but I don't remember who makes them. I think Pro-Comp has the ones that are aluminum.