2 1/2 SJ now 3 1/2 rear
If you had been following the “Hey Keeno” post, here is the wrap up with the Skyjacker install.
Remember when I said I was done…. Well I wasn’t, I drove the truck around for a while thinking the springs would need to settle out a little. They did, the drivers side was exactly one inch lower “front and rear” than the pass. side. I called SJ and talked about it but first here is a little recap.
Last Friday I installed the front springs and shocks, but couldn’t use the SJ U-bolts because they were larger diameter than the factory and wouldn’t fit threw the holes in the spring brackets without drilling them larger. MY factory u-bolts and axle studs were in great shape so I just used them.
The small u-bolts that fit around the tie rod on the front steering stabilizer were to short so I bought longer ones. SJ said the stabilizer kit is used for many vehicles and Dodge uses a larger diameter rod, No big deal.
When done with the front only, the truck was just under a ¼ inch lower on the driver’s side front. Again, no big deal.
Saturday I installed the rear, You could see the truck was leaning to the driver’s side. The Skyjacker instruction mentioned A 1986 Chrysler Technical Bulletin regarding driver side leaning due to the fuel tank being on the drivers side inside the frame. Chrysler had a spring spacer kit, (a block that was ½ inch) they told me.
The thing is I only had a quarter tank and was leaning a full inch. Skyjacker said the only way to see if it was the rear spring was to swap sides in the rear and see. Well I was just overjoyed at that Idea, but I did it anyway…. same thing 1” lower on the drivers side front and rear. Lovely
Yesterday morning I headed down to Denver spring and they said, “they see It all the time” so I had them make me two steel spacer blocks drilled and pinned. One 2 inches thick for the driver’s side rear, and one 1 inch thick for the passenger side rear. I wasn’t happy with the level idea for the times I load it up with a thousand pounds or more to go hunting, the camper shell with the tent and steel framework inside weighs 450lbs as it is.
I then drove down to Drive Train Industries and had new U-bolts made to accommodate the steel blocks. I didn’t care for the SJ u-bolts anyway.
This morning I picked up the parts and reinstalled the whole mess again. This time I am happy! Exactly one inch higher in the back and exactly even side to side. The driver’s side front is1/8 inch lowers than the passenger side. Even after filling the fuel tank…. . I can live with that. I measure from the axle to the wheel cut out to eliminate the tire as a variable.
I cut out the spare tire carrier because the bolts were seized, good thing I didn’t have a flat eh! I would not do this job without air tools and an angle grinder with cut off wheels. Especially if you’re like me and don’t stop until it’s the way you want it. D*** am I glad this is done. I updated the DONE Pic if you want to see. I am still a little puzzled by the one inch thing. I guess the old rear springs were just so stout they could handle it? Anyway it drives real good the steering stabilizer is very nice, I should have put it on years ago. I can even drink coffee while driving now. Has anyone installed a cable up spare tire assembly in there first Gen truck? I don’t want to put the old system back in. Sorry about the long post. Next week new exhaust!
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Attention: TDR Forum Junkies 
Keeno If you find the torque specs that would also be great. I called around today and one guy said “ well it kind of depends on the vehicle” the second said “oh I suppose 100 ft pounds otta to do it”. My cheesy repair manual doesn’t have it in there. 
