DT +1/2" front Trailing arms Installed

[nblack]

mediccummin,

I'm not sure of the offset of my wheels. The backspacing is 4. 25 inch I believe.

I think the factory alloy has 6. 25 or 6. 5 inch backspacing, it's alot.

 

[mediccummin]

backspace Nathan

Sorry Nathan thats what I meant, backspacing duh. I called DT today and they could not give me a price on there links, the guy that answered the phone did not know how much they are going for. I plan to ditch my spacers and get the D25 with dual shock mount, DT links and trac bar. Get everything centered back up for my new wheels and tires and I dont want any rubbing. The wheels I'm looking at have a 4. 5" backspace with 315 70 17 so I should'nt have a problem. Thanks and by the way your truck looks great. What shell do you have? That is also in the works... Dwayne

 

[Kalaehina]

What tools are needed for the swap? When I did my D25 coils I seemed to have a difficult time lining up the holes after disconnecting the arms. Also what is that tool you mentioned to check the alignment and how does it work? Thanks for the info.....

 

[nblack]

Dwayne,

Thanks, I have a LEER 100 XL cap (de-badged, of course).



$250 + S&H

 

[Kalaehina]

What's the web site for DT Products?

 

[nblack]

http://www.dtprofab.com/

 

[Kalaehina]

Thanks nblack!

 

[Mactruck]

Re: backspace Nathan

Originally posted by mediccummin

The wheels I'm looking at have a 4. 5" backspace with 315 70 17 so I should'nt have a problem.

Mediccummin : Take a look at the Eagle 101's or 102's. They have the 17X9 with a 5 inch backspacing. I just ordered them. They should be mounted on my truck by Wednesday (5/21) with a set of 315/70r17's.

JM2 cents

 

[mediccummin]

Thanks Mactruck I'll check those out. Those look real nice. Can you post a picture when you get them on. What tire are you going with and how much did you pay for tire and wheel? Nice truck also, its real nice because we have the same truck, except mine is a long bed.

 

[mediccummin]

Links

San Felipe Bob how are those new links working out? Did it change the ride much? Do the urethane bushings seem to make a difference? I just ordered mine a couple days ago but he said they are behind so it will probably be a month before I see them. Can't wait, also ordered the trac bar and shock kit. I'll have some work to do, I'm replacing pretty much everything on my front end, but looking forward to some good results... ... Later... .

 

[Ted Constantine]

shock mounts

has anyone used DT's dual shock mounts???

Looks like they are installed without removing the spring. I am being lazy. Should have done the dual shocks with the SJ d25's but I did not.

Ted

 

[HEMI®Dart]

Originally posted by San Felipe Bob

Wow



Install time about 1/2 hr.





SFB

Bob,



How the heck did you install the DT arms in an 1/2 hour?

It took me about 4 hours start-to-finish.



The upper links were the ones giving me problems. I just couldn't get the holes to line up so the bolt would slide through. I was pulling ,pushing and prying to get them in line. Tried loosening the cam adjusters to see if it was causing a bind. Nothing. They were a real tight fit.



I had Rancho OEM length ones on. I remember having the same problems with those too.



I had marked the cam adjusters before I started. My alignment guy had the axle set at max positive caster to help w/ drift & wander. The cam would be pointing forward. I went to dial it back in when I was done and I can't get it back there. It just won't go. I am compressing polyurathane (can hear it) when I try it. The cam wants to ride up on the reinforcing bracket.



I left the cam adjusters in a "relaxed" position. Truck seems to steering & handle fine.



I noticed the steering linkage seems to be back in line somewhat. I had some tie rods that were leaning to the side due to the 2" springs screwing up the OEM geometry. The tire sits in the center of the wheelwell again too.

 

[HEMI®Dart]

Can't get + Caster w/DT's links

Well after taking off my tall tires for the winter and putting the small stockers back on I am wandering all over the place. Steering wheel recovery out of a turn is lousy too.



The easy fix is to dial positive caster back into the front axle. This is how It was before I switched links. Problem I have is it appears DT's upper and lower links won't allow it.



I marked the cam bolt adjusters where they were set ( max + caster) but after installing the new links I can't get them back. There just is not much caster adjustment available.



The arrows on the cam adjuster bolt should be pointing str8 to wards the front of the truck (about 9 o'clock) Most I can get now is about 6 o'clock. I still need to go 90º (a mile) on the adjuster.



Weather permitting I am going to take off DT's upper (only) link and put the OEM one back on. I'm hoping this will give the axle some room to tilt back wards, giving the truck positive caster again and clearing up the drifting and slow wheel recovery.



If I am missing something please correct me?

 

[JRG]

+ caster

H D,



I have the stock setup you are going to go back to, but the problem I have is it makes the truck pull harder to the right. I think if I had a 1/2 in top it would help me, wouldn't it?



JRG

 

[HEMI®Dart]

JRG,



Although I am no expert on front axle alignment I can't find a reason why you could'nt align the front axle correctly with the OEM control arms. Your should be able to take you hands off the wheel and have it track straight as an arrow. Your truck is a lot more refined than mine. Find a good alignment shop (took me 6-7 tries) and they should be able to dial it in dead.



I tried switching the upper links back to the OEM ones and they won't work. The lower DT's are too long. I kind of lost interest 1/2 way through it. It looks like they can't be mixed. Perhaps If had a porta power I could have tried to manipulate the front axle to tilt backwards. Probably the best thing would be to un-load the axle, then try to adjust it. Although I was able to adjust caster all over the place, loaded with the OEM control arms.



Will bring the truck to the alignment guy and tell him what's up.

 

[JRG]

I did take to a very good shop around here. I told them I wanted the caster changed positive as much as possible to gain tire clearance. They said that some Chev trucks run as much as 12*. After they changed the caster to max adj positive at about 8*-10*

the pull was aparent due to the caster being different on either side, and that the `03 have no adj for that. They said that they have yet to see a kit for it either. The only fix is to either put it back and rub, or install longer top control arms to bring down the caster so the caster pull cant be detected.



JRG

 

[mediccummin]

DT's dual shocks POS

Ted I tried the Dual Shock kit from DT, very poor design, did not fit, I don't think any thought went into them. IMO they just tried to copy SKJ but did not go under the front end to see what they will hit. I attempted to put them on and there was no way they would fit. They stick out to far and hit the brakes calipers, the holes were all and I mean all the wrong size, had to re drill all of them just to install one side. The mounts don't even come close to lining up, the lower stuck out much further than the top, obviously to hit the caliper. Well anyway you get my drift. And to top it off it took forever for DT to answer the phone (weeks) to return them and I didn't even get back what I paid for them and I paid return shipping also... ... Lessen learned. Later... ... .



Again this is my personnal experience with this product, they could have corrected them by now but when I talked to them they seemed to not give a rats @$$. But I will say there links after having the problems with them corrected and the trac bar are excellent products.