Cracked trailing arm mounts Skyjacker lift kit

[BigBadDodge]

Wow that doesn't look good. The person I contacted at Skyjacker about my Hiem Joints was a guy named Scott in thier Customer servuice division. He exsplained to me the problem and said that he would replace my hiem joints under warranty, on a lift that was three years old. I had to go through the people who I purchased the lift through though, (Truckers Toy Store in NC. ) I couldn't deal directly with them. I would give Scott a call and see what he says, I have never had a problem with the Skyjacker folks.



Have you been four wheeling with that lift ? it looks almost as if the frame could be tweaked.



Scott



If they can't help you out let me know I have a few good tactics I use to get what I want. (it's leagal)

 

[Beast2B]

Hi Scott,

The truck only has 20k miles, it's NEVER been off-road and NEVER towed a trailer over 3k! I measured the truck before and after the lift, and was very close to 4. 5" at all four corners. I expected some settling, but within 4 months it was this bad. Scott Gross at Skyjacker was one of the people I have talked to. He asked me to measure ten things, loosen control arm bolts and retighten, loosen shackle bolts and retighten, check the shocks for binding... Once he ran out of ideas, he quit responding to me! I am planning on changing out the rear lift on my truck to stock springs with additional blocks, and adding some traction bars to control the spring wrap. I wouldn't be so upset, but I paid about $325 for the rear springs alone!

Any suggestions would be appreciated, I am at my wits end dealing with Skyjacker.

 

[Glen Pratt]

Galen, I can't remember, but I think the rear leaf springs are side specific. Just a thought swap the springs from one side to the other and vice-versa. Also, if you pull the springs out check the perch pins and the wedges to see if anything has moved around. I've had no problems with the rear springs. My truck sits level. The only other thing I can think of is you got a mismatched set of leaf springs. I wouldn't use higher blocks with the stock springs. Higher spring blocks are bad news. -Glen

 

[NVR FNSH]

Galen,

Sounds like you are re-living my miserable experience with Skyjacker on my CJ-7 - happened to me back in '93. The driver side of my CJ would sag about 1. 5" from day one with 4 new skycrapper leaf springs. I got the same/similar list of things to check. Swapped the springs left/right and still had the same problem. Skycrappers final solution was to sell me 4 full length add-a-leaves to increase the spring rate.



Anybody know if the factory leaf springs are different side/side due to the fuel tank?



Brian

 

[Beast2B]

Well, I checked my stock leaf springs, they both have the same numbers stamped on them. The new leaf packs have the same numbers stamped on them. I may even consider going to the stock springs with extra blocks (yes, I'll definitely be using traction bars then) and maybe even the Kelderman air bag setup to give it a bit better ride... Still fuming and planning.

 

[NVR FNSH]

Do a search on National Spring. Diesel Dan had a set of leafs made for his truck and seemed to be very pleased. I have heard National is rather 'difficult' to deal with but their reputation for quality product is well known in the desert racing circles of SoCal. A good friend of mine had a set of 4 springs made up for his 1/2 ton Chevy with 3/4 ton running gear and he was very pleased. I say was because the truck was stolen... .



You can also check with Alcan Spring in Colorado. I've read/heard good things about them as well.



Shortly after I bought the skycrapper stuff for my CJ I was talking to an old friend that works for 4WPW in the Dallas area - they stopped carrying skycrapper because of all the problems they were having. Granted, this was 10 years ago but I will never knowingly purchase a skycrapper product again.



Brian

 

[Beast2B]

SKYJACKER SUCKS!!!

Thanks for the info Brian,

I'll be looking at every option I can think of. I also saw an ad in one of my 4x4 magazines about a place near me (Dixon, Ca) that specializes in coil spring lifts and Dodge trucks, maybe they will have some additional input. I have already removed all Skyjacker stickers from the truck's suspension, and I may consider removing the entire lift if I can afford it.

I'll try to keep everyone interested posted, because if I can get just one person to avoid their crap customer service, I'll feel like I'm doing them a serious favor! Too bad a (generally) high quality manufacturer can't admit a problem and make at least a small effort to rectify the situation.

Anyone in business has heard this: A satisifed customer MIGHT tell one other person about their experience, but a DISsatisfied customer will tell many... hopefully thousands in this case!

 

[Beast2B]

FYI-

Here's a copy of an email I sent to Skyjacker. Scott is the tech I have talked to about my problem, with LESS THAN SATISFACTORY RESULTS!



Scott Gross,

Just wanted to let you know about your reputation amongst Dodge diesel owners. Too bad the quality of your customer support isn't anywhere near the quality of the products you sell. I am SHOCKED that I cannot get your company to acknowledge a POSSIBLE problem, and at least investigate. I spent several months spewing great reviews and personal satisfaction with your lift kit, but you can bet that I will spend YEARS telling this story to anyone that will listen.

If you have the guts, I would love to talk to you, or preferably your supervisor further about this issue.



https://www.turbodieselregister.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=41554&perpage=20&pagenumber=1



Galen Porter

 

[BigBadDodge]

Excellent, hope that works, keep us informened.



I like the high light in your sig as well.

 

[piampietro]

Originally posted by BigBadDodge

Excellent, hope that works, keep us informened.



I like the high light in your sig as well.

BBD (& all others drivin lifted CTDs w/ big ol' tires)-

hey, i'm new to TDR and think this is a great bunch of folks.



just curious, but what kinda mileage you getting w/ that lift & those tire sizes? i'm stock now, but will likely do something similar b4 too long.

also, any comments on:

road noise (from tires)

tire wear (how even & how long do they last)

spare tire storage ideas



would be great. thanks in advance.

 

[BigBadDodge]

piampietro:



I have a 12 valve (properly valved). Stock I was getting around 21mpg, and then with the lift and 36" tires I dropped down to approx 15mpg, added some engine mods (intake , exhaust) that actully increased it to about 17mpg.



My first set of 36" tires were Denman ground hawgs they were alright but were only a 6ply so they didn't hold up long and wore pretty fast. They now make them in a 10 ply I believe. I then switched to the Parnelli Dirt Grips I have now, I love them so far but the added mods and soon to be additional mods will wear them out fast. The noise level on both brands was low okay you couldn't hear them above the Cummins.



As far as spare tire storage mine lays in the bed and I have a tounue cover to prevent it from premature weathering from the elements. Plan on getting the transferflow tank that fits wear the stock spare tire was.



Scott