Front end lift: new springs or spacers?

[TomGolden]

Howdy all,



In contemplating a new front end leveling kit, I have been wondering which would be better: the steel spacers or entirely new springs (ala Skyjacker). I am also going to replace the shocks and all 4 control arms while I'm at it, and get a DT track bar.



I'm looking to go 3", no snow plow, and currently stock front bumper, but someday..... I'll get a new heavy duty front bumper.



Thanks,

Tom

 

[**ICEMAN**]

i put the 2" spacers on my 3500 and it leveled the truck.

also 2" spacers on my 2500 and it sets a little nose high.



you sure you want 3"?

i still believe to this day that the leveling kit is what caused my death wobble in both trucks. the 01 was new and got the wobble first time over 70mph and a rough bridge seam. for now it's cured on the 94 but the 01's wobble is back again.

 

[OILBRNR]

Hey Tom, are you still thinking about going with Bilstein's? If you are, did you figure out which ones would work with a lift kit?

 

[JHansen]

If you're not adverse to a little wait....

... I'll tell you what the springs ride like . I've got a set of the Skyjacker springs coming to level the front of the Silver Cloud-it currently has 046/039's in the front so it's sprung pretty stiff from the factory. I'm also putting in a DT track bar, and RS9000's (easier for me to get Rancho's and I couldn't find a listing for a longer front Bilstein). Still looking for control arms that fit my demanding specification list -I do want something longer for the bottom for caster but I may have to make do with the stockers until I can find/manufacture what I want.



Hoping to get it done before Xmas-but realistically I'm gonna say in the new year-I start Xmas drinks about the 1st of December and continue into about the 1st week of January



Jason

 

[TomGolden]

ICEMAN - One of our local guys (airhorn Dennis) has a 3" front end kit on his 99 2500, and it does sit nose high, but it's kind of a cool look to me. He has the spacers and dual front shocks. My main reason for doing the front end lift is to get enough clearance for my Magview front differential cover to clear the track bar/pitman arm, as it does NOT clear with the stock front end.



OILBRNR - Yes, I would prefer the Bilsteins, but have not yer called them to ask if they even make a longer shock for the lifted front end. I wouldn't mind going with Rancho 9000's, but from what I've heard here, I think I would like the Bilsteins just a little more. May not have a choice though... .



Jason - I won't be doing the front end until at least mid-January, so no worries on waiting for your report on the springs. I would be very interested to know also whose control arms you go with, as I plan on also replacing them on my truck. I know Skyjacker makes a set of control arms that use heim joints at both ends, which I really like. I heard someone here post that DT also makes control arms, but have not yet called them to confirm that.



Thanks all.

 

[JHansen]

Control arms....

I have seen the Skyjacker arms you describe... not sure if they sell them separately or not. I'm kinda ambivalent on the Heim part-I like the extra articulation that they can provide-but I'm afraid that their life span might be limited with the service I put my truck through (mud, salt etc. )-maybe if they're greaseable you could seal them and then grease the he!! out of them at every service.



They're the closest to what I want though. I want:



(1) Something made of round tube so there's no edges for tire lugs to catch on.

(2) They have to be adjustable both for caster adjustment and centering the axle in the wheelwell.

(3) Some sort of articulation capability-either Heims, Johnny Joints, or a simple pivot in the middle.

(4) "Boomeranged"-or bent in towards the center of the truck to allow the use of larger tires on the factory rims without said tires rubbing the arms. There is room to move in towards the frame-probably an inch or so which I believe would be sufficient.



#4 is the sticking point-so far I've found nothing built this way. I have an e-mail in to DT now as I also heard that they build control arms. Maybe I can convince them to build a set like my wish list there and I will guinea-pig them... . could be quite a few other folks looking for something like them.



And it's looking like I definitely will get my levelling done before New Year's Day-my springs arrived this morning (big thanks again to JWEST for everything!). So now I have the springs and track bar sitting here-waiting for my RS9000's and Skyjacker double steering stabilizer setup to show... . maybe I'll even be able to find some control arms by then! As soon as I get it done and get some miles on it to form opinions I'll drop you a line.



Jason

 

[TomGolden]

Thanks Jason, I am really interested in your report.



Tom

 

[JHansen]

Some info about DT control arms!

Haven't gotten to my levelling kit yet-pretty much through with the Christmas revelry now so time to work on my truck again. I did get a phone call here last week from DT about their control arms. Believe it was Dave I was talking to? Should have written it down-it blew my mind that they called me at home about 7:30 pm or so and rapped for 20 minutes or so about their stuff... . anyways here's what I got out of the conversation.



1. They build their control arms in an I-beam configuration to make them strong in the direction of flex-and so they can twist to allow more wheel travel. Believe he said they are made out of 3/16" stock so they should be plenty strong.



2. Don't think they are adjustable-although don't quote me for sure on that.



3. They are working on a new long-arm kit as we speak! He told me that he was going to pull his personal Ram into the shop in the New Year and start fabbing. This kit will include a new crossmember mounted further back to allow for the longer arms, and of course the arms themselves. These arms will be adjustable for length (at least the way he was talking) and probably will be Heim-jointed for flex-although he also talked about heavy-duty articulating joints similar to a Johnny Joint that they were working on. Sounds like this kit will angle the arms in for tire clearance as well.....



I didn't ask him about pricing on the arms-as he was pretty much convinced by the fax I sent him that the long-arm kit would be the ticket for me. He figured realistically it would be a couple of months before they had the long-arm setup ready to go-although a preproduction kit might be shipped out before that time to get feedback (maybe a hint that I might be a guinea pig? ). Nothing about pricing for it either-he's gonna e-mail me when they get closer to release.



If you're curious about their arms I'd give them a call and talk to them personally-I have this tendency to screw things up



I'll let you know Tom when I get the levelling kit done for my impressions on ride, handling, and PITA factor.



Jason

 

[Dave MacArthur]

Tom-

I have the Skyjacker 2" replacement springs on my truck. My truck came with fairly soft springs from the factory (don't remember the numbers right now). I've had them on about 1 year now. My first impression was how much better the truck handles. I mean it made a big difference, especially cornering. The truck tracks as straight as always. I can let my hand go on the highway, and if I'm in one of the middle lanes (no crown), it stays perfectly straight. This is the same as with the factory springs. I have the same Rancho 9000's as before the change (Rancho told me the stock length shocks can handle a 2" lift no problem). I really like the looks. If sitting on perfectly level ground, the truck looks exactly level (much better than stock). If the ground is sloped even slightly uphill, it looks a little nose high.



Dave.