Height

[Ian]

For several years I towed a 28 ft. Dutchman 5th wheel with a '93 D250, everything was level with good clearance between the truck and the 5th wheel.

Just before last Christmas I traded the D250 for a Y2K D2500 4 x 4. This truck sits several inches higher than the D250 did, now the trailer appears to have perhaps a 5 deg. nose up attitude when towing with the D2500.

Was intending to flip the axles on the Dutchman but they already are positioned below the springs so unless I have spacers fitted between the springs and axles on the 5th wheel, have to consider lowering the truck 2 or 3 inches.

Any suggestions? Have wondered if Velvet Ride shackles would drop the box hight enough when there is 800 - 1,000 lb king pin weight on the hitch.

 

[klenger]

I had my truck lowered by a Dodge TSB under warranty and am very pleased with the results. It's pretty pricey if you have to pay for the TSB, but there are others out there who have done the same thing themselves. It basically amounts to cutting down the rear spacer blocks.



Here's a link to the TSB on my webpage.



http://www.klenger.net/dodge/tsb-lower-rear-axle.html

 

[Ian]

Checked with two local dealers re the TSB, both had heard of it but had never done one and parts were not locally available, would have to be imported from south of the 49th, probably 10 days delivery.

Cost would be $C1150 plus 14. 5% tax, plus labour.



Also checked out an axle and spring shop, said no problem to remove the blocks between the rear springs and the axle, fit blocks 1. 5 or 2" shorter, plus replace the U bolts.

Anything to watch out for when doing this change?

'Thanks in advance. '

Ian.

 

[klenger]

Anything to watch out for when doing this change?

Make sure that the shocks aren't too long. Part of the TSB is new (shorter) shocks.

 

[HBarlow]

I have no idea how old you are so please forgive me for asking if you are too young to know... ... . do you remember the old "lowering blocks" that were used to lower the rear of cars back in the '50s?



A set of lowering blocks was a pair of cast iron blocks, the shape of miniature concrete blocks and four longer U-bolts to attach the axle to the leaf springs. With the rear of the car on blocks, the old U-bolts were removed, the axle was lifted with a jack, the blocks were inserted between axle and springs (raising the axle), and longer U-bolts were installed to clamp everything back together. The blocks were about 1 1/2" tall to lower 2', about 3" thick to create a 4" height reduction.



I wonder if JC Whitney or other retailer still sells them? You could install two sets, one for each axle, between the bottoms of your springs and the tops of your axles to raise the trailer, the opposite of 50s lowering blocks.



If they are no longer available, the blocks could be fabricated to fit the spring perches on your axles and a good machine shop could make eight long U-bolts to hold the axles, blocks, and springs together.



Just a thought... ... .....



Harvey

 

[JPS]

lower rear

Lot of info has been posted about lower rear. I did mine myself, made shorter blocks. I would think Dodge dealer would do it as some have posted. Sounds like some got it done free of charge! jps Might try a search on this site for more info! Did not change shocks, used 9/16" "U" bolts.

 

[Ian]

Thanks for the info re my height problem.

Harvey, I was born just after WW2 in New Zealand. Not too many North American cars there, not in the farming south where I grew up, mostly British products, Austins, Morris,, etc.

Taking the truck and trailer over the scales tomorrow, will weigh each axle individually, then probably have the rear of the truck lowered 1. 5 - 2 inches and do another weigh to see how much of a change there is.

Ian.