Eldebrock IAS + BFG A/T KO 285's --- Need input Please!

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<font color=blue>I am looking at putting on Eldebrock IAS shocks and going to 285/75r/16 BFG A/t KO on the stock factory wheels. I want input from anyone on this combination ecspecially anyone who has it currently??? How does it ride? Need some input before I spring for it.

Edlebrock IAS Shocks & BFG A/T KO 285/75r/16 tires on stock wheels Please gimmie some information.

If I were to "level" the front end can I still use the IAS's?
Is there a stabilizer for the steering available from Eldbrock too??? (Just to match it)

At a later date I intend to lift the truck higher and will probably goto Rancho 9000's at that time. This is just a current "fix" to toss the factory shocks and a friend with a 1/2 ton wants my tires soo theres my excuse to get some bigger meats!

Is there anyway to correct the speedo or is it something I have to live with? (I know this debate is on going) I don't think I can use the Abbot ERA.

WOWZY - On your Skyjacker coils (i searched old posts already) did you do anything else other then slip in the replacemnt coils?? Gimmie some feedback.

Thanks in advance.

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• Eric D. Howard - #ad
  - BOMB'er! - #ad
  - TDR Member since April 8th, 2000
• 2001 Dodge Ram 2500 HD 4x4 SLT Auto Reg cab Cummins Turbo Diesel 4. 10 gear ratio LT265/75R/16 tires
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[This message has been edited by KatDiesel (edited 08-08-2000). ]

 

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Kat, I have this combination although, I have M/T Alcoa forged aluminum 16x8 Challengers. This combination works extremely well! The ride is softer than OE even with the tire pressures that I am running (55F/50R). I would also like to point out that I can corner better than many cars. #ad
The Edelbrock IAS shocks are made for stock ride height ONLY (unless they just added something new). The leveling kit adds 2" or 3" depending on which kit you purchase. I personally think 2" looks better although, I believe 3" is too much. Three inches seems to make the truck slightly too high in the front (on some Rams). Either one of them will make your Ram squat low in the rear if you haul anything over about 1k lbs. A consideration/decision you will have to make. Most Rammers I know with 285s went this way as they did not want to lose the hauling/towing flexibility associated with the stock ride height. A leveling kit is not required to add the 285s. It may or may not be necessary for the addition of 295s (again, depending on the Ram). The 315s (which I would run on wider wheels than 8") WILL require the 3" leveling kit... and then its close. Judging by the looks of it you would still have tire/sheet metal contact during heavy off-roading with this setup. #ad


I have had MANY, MANY sets of BFG Mud-Terrain tires although, this is my first set of All-Terrain tires. I'm extremely pleased with the function and wear of the All-Terrains. #ad


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'98. 5 2500 QC 4x4 Sport, Glasstite Vision II, 285 BFG A/Ts on M/T Challengers, Warn 4X Boards, Mopar fender flares & tow hooks, NW Custom s/s-rubber mud flaps, Mag-Hytec diff. cover & trans. pan, Edelbrock IAS shocks, Reese Titan V hitch, VDO Vision gauges, Dynamat, '00 Sport grille & valve cover, '00 Sport headlights/PIAA Super White bulbs, PIAA Dual Sport 900 aux. lights, BD exh. brake and TorqLoc, Prime-Loc, Bosch 275s, VA CPC, DD Boost Module, Banks Stinger wastegate actuator, ATS exh. man. , Banks 4" dia. s/s exh. sys. , BD V10/Cummins hybrid TC & valve body, BD trans. front pump & PressureLoc, Air Bulldog induction hood (with NACA ducts), plus MANY other trick modifications

 

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<font color=blue>Thanx for the input John.

I know I don't "need" the leveling kit for the tires just pondering one is all #ad


Does Eldebrock have a steering stabilizer for us too???

This is just a short term thing to hold me over until I can purchase my tires, wheels and lift that I want.

SO if I level the front end I can not use the IAS's?? Bummer if thats true.

Anyone else wanna comment on this combo?

ANy good suggestions on where to buy?

 

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I just noticed, I think you said something about putting 285/75R16's on stock rims. If your stock rims are 6. 5" wide the 285's will wear pretty bad in the middle. You can make them last longer on those skinny rims by airing them down (20 to 30 psi) My brothers 285/75R16's BFG AT KO's will be here Friday, going a new set of Eagle Alloy 16 x 8's. He will have 2 complete sets of wheels and tires.

 

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Kat,
Somebody on the board talked about making a special bracket to use IAS's with a 2inch front lift. Anybody remember who it was?

 

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Originally posted by TNHotshot:
I just noticed, I think you said something about putting 285/75R16's on stock rims. If your stock rims are 6. 5" wide the 285's will wear pretty bad in the middle. You can make them last longer on those skinny rims by airing them down (20 to 30 psi) My brothers 285/75R16's BFG AT KO's will be here Friday, going a new set of Eagle Alloy 16 x 8's. He will have 2 complete sets of wheels and tires.

<font color=blue> Yes I intend to put them on the stockers because I can't decide which wheels I want to buy yet. This move is just short term, maybe a year to year and half tops so I can change the looks a bit and then decide on new tires, wheels, and lift kit down the road once I get done BOMB'ing the engine.

Plus a friend of mine wants my stock tires for his half ton. (Great excuse for me to buy new ones)

Thanx for the input, tho I believe I have located a set of IAS's with only 1500 miles on them! Whoooohoo. Thanx Sean! (he can't post yet)
Now to find the tires!

 

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Kat - I really like the looks of the AT-KO's, but the Michelin LTX's that I replaced (same size) rode a lot better. I will probably go back when these where out (which at the rate they are going will be a long time).

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99 2500 QC 4X4 5sp / made in Mexico /
3. 54LSD 285 75X16 AR Atlas / Hadley airhorns / DDIII - 4in exhaust, turbo back - HD clutch / ISSPRO guages / 33' Hitchhiker triple slide (can you say HEAVY)

 

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TNHotshot, did you notice Kat has a 2001 2500 Ram(?)... which means he should have OE 16x8 aluminum wheels, not the older 16x6. 5 chrome steel wheels they used through '99. That was why I did not make any suggestion (in my previous post) that he wait and upgrade his wheels too.

Kat, as for the Edelbrock IAS steering stabilizer, after several inquiries to Edelbrock, I found not only is there no steering stabilizer available, they have no plans to produce one either. Even if they did, due to the functions of a steering stabilizer, (IMO) the patented IAS valving would not be compatible with its intended function.

In addition, I have had the Abbott ERA installed in my Ram for at least 1. 5 years now without a single problem with the unit itself or in conjuntion with ANY other systems.

Rick, I had the Michelin LTXs... never had a tire pick up more rocks! (PS: I live "off-road").

 

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TNHotshot, I've had 285/75R16 AT KO's mounted on the stock 6. 5" rims now for over 30,000 miles and I don't have any more wear in the middle than on the edges. That's measured with a micrometer, btw (I've been measuring them approx every 5,000 miles). Also, when I got the tires they had them set at 35 psi and the truck was all over the road - I run mine at 55/45 unloaded. BFG does say a minimum of a 7" rim however - but I know quite a few people running them on the 6. 5" rims with no problems.



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-Steve St. Laurent - President of the Great Lakes TDR, Chapter Forums Moderator
'98 QC LB (CMNSPWR), 4x4, ISB, 5sp, 4. 10 LSD, Prime-loc, SW fuel pressure gauge, boost & pyro gauges, TST Powermax, muffler eliminator, polished valve cover, BD exhaust brake, Isspro turbo temp monitor, Mag Hy-tec rear diff cover, Permatech liner, Grizzly SS nerf bars, Stull SS grill & bumper inserts, front Draw-Tite receiver, rear Draw-Tite class V receiver, BFG 285/75R16 AT KO's

 

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<font color=blue>Thanx for the information guys and yes I already have the 16x8 Forged Aluminum Wheels from the factory #ad


The reason I am going for BFG is because I had a set on a previous truck and I liked them and I heard the KO's are even better. I don't live on a gravel road so not too worried about picking up rocks.

I have looked at Bridgestone Duelers at the suggestion of another memeber but I think I am still set on BFG's.

Anyone else have anything to say about the Eldebrock IAS shock's performance?

Thanx

 

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Ya I got something to say,keep your money all you need is the tires. It rides the same with no shocks. If you want to soften the ride fill the bed level with gravel and drive the truck for a few weeks.

 

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Kat. I am running 295's on factory 16-8 Alum. wheels no problems 26,000 and still look good I tried to run an abbott era but ran into lots of problems with the antilock brakes there was a post a week or so about this. one thing i did learn the back spacing on the 2000 and newer wheels is 6. 25 i ordered a set of American Racing rims which they told me would work on the rear wheels you could see over half the brake drum and stuck way out of the fenders they were 4. 75 backspacing which American Racing said were the correct wheels I ate those so don't make the same mistake if you order wheels and believe the factory boys. hows the transmission upgrade working i was the guy that missed you at Daves

 

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Originally posted by 6bbl:
Ya I got something to say,keep your money all you need is the tires. It rides the same with no shocks. If you want to soften the ride fill the bed level with gravel and drive the truck for a few weeks.

<font color=blue>Well that sounds good but I am getting TWO shocks for free! So it can't hurt to try them? I am researching the shocks right now who knows maybe in the end I will just buy the tires. But thanx for the tip off.

Mule -

I just have the Transgo kit its working ok its a matter of getting used to the different type of shifts. It was an interesting two days at Dave's, sorry I had to make it a day later.

Haven't been able to slip the converter yet soo still no low stall for me! #ad
(I heard you don't like yours?) If when I do slip the converter Dave is working on a new idea to try before putting in a low stall. I saw part of it when I was there and its gonna work great I think. <font size=-2>


[This message has been edited by KatDiesel (edited 08-09-2000). ]

 

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My bad on the rims, I didn't know the new Rams had 16 x 8's. You should be fine.

 

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I've got about 23,000 miles on 285/75R16 BFG AT KO's on the 6. 5" rims - NO ABNORMAL WEAR! I measure mine with a tread gauge and have seen no difference between inner or outer tread depth. I run 55 in the front and 40 in the rear. They'll last 45-50,000 miles judging by current wear. Mine must be different than John's, b/c if mine SEE a rock, it's going straight at my rocker's - they looked horrible after running the BFG's for 15k. Installed the flat Dodge mud flaps - that's helped tremendously. Something you might want to consider, Kat.

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1999 2500 QC 4X4 LB Auto 4. 10LS, Driftwood, CD player with Steering Wheel Controls, Power Driver's Seat, 275HP Injectors, PowerEdge, Bill K's Valve Body, ISSPRO Boost and EGT, K&N Air Filter, Brushguard, Spray-in Liner, 285/75R16 BFG AT KO's, Nerf Bars, Black Diamond Plate Deep Well Tool Box, Mopar flat antispray guards (front and back)
Soon to have: Bill K's TC when available
2000 Yamaha Big Bear 400 4X4
NRA Member

 

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TXRam, the BFG All-Terrains pick up gravel too... just not as much as the Michelin LTXs. I know what you mean about the rocker area... and I have a BLACK Sport! Once I got rid of the Mopar mud flaps (three different varieties) and went with the NW Custom mud flaps my problems were over. Unfortunately, it was a little late. It's not a Concours rig although, it's good enough for me. #ad

 

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Already made provisions for the Northwest custom flaps #ad
Just gotta decide how I want them made I hate descions.

 

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Nice thing about Edelbrock is, if you don't like them you can send them back within 30 days. I'm sending mine back, way too soft. Nice ride on the road, but Bilstiens are the only way to go off road. I'm also running the BFG 285/75/16 on 16x8 factory wheels, love them.

I can't stand a shock that lets front end bottom out so easily, Edelbrock didn't bottom as easy as stock, not much of a difference.

I can post the part # for the Bilsteins if anybody cares.

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2001 5 speed SWB SLT Larmie White 4x4, ISSPRO boost and pyro gauges, 3" Walker muffler, VA and DD stage one with boost module and elbow.
1980 CJ7 350, SM465

 

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Swayse, do you know # for Y2K 3500?
Larry

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Y2K 3500 QC,SLT,4X2,White, 6spd,3. 54 lsd,Banks Stinger +,Pacbrake,Pilar mt. EGT & Boost,Amsoil air filter,all amsoil lube w/BMK-15 filter system,MagTec rear cover,putco boss rbs. w/ rear ext. &flaps,20K reese,100 gal. aux. fuel,fold up T cover,5K airlift bags w/comp. ,ranger 2950 cb pushing palomar 225 amp,phantom radar det.

 

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No sure don't, but let me find the number for Bilstein, and I'll post as soon as I find it.

Auto Zone was telling me that they couldn't get Bilsteins for my truck, called Bilstein got part # and ordered from Auto Zone. Don't like dealing with Auto Zone to much, they don't care one way or the other, they will never go out of their way to help. Their prices keep me going back.

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2001 5 speed SWB SLT Larmie White 4x4, ISSPRO boost and pyro gauges, 3" Walker muffler, VA and DD stage one with boost module and elbow.
1980 CJ7 350, SM465