Off Roading Inspired to reach new heights!

[y-knot]

Well it's been awhile since I have done anything to the Dodge and I'm sort of itching for a new project, so here we go again. I think this is the 4th major redo on my truck, but who's counting. I kinda started this project about a year and a half ago when I bought some Fox shocks and a few front end Polyurethane pieces on a whim, well I still have the shocks and all the pieces so it has finally come time to finish what I started. I recently purchased a Skyjacker 4. 5" lift for my Ram 3500. It comes with replacement rear leaf springs, new front coil springs and new upper and lower control arms as well as dual shock kit and a few other parts and pieces. Along with the kit I also ordered their Trac-bar kit. For exterior review, I purchased new LED clearance lights for all around the truck and polished aluminum to mount them to. In the rear I ordered a new ClassV hitch, which will under go a modification that will add a new receiver and plug mount under it's receiver tube. Also in the rear I purchased the Fire & Ice Light bar, Recon 3rd Light replacement light and new tonne cover. The roof clearance lights will be replaced with Recon's chrome based/smoked lens lights, and all door handels will receive the chrome treatment. Up front I got a Carbon fiber Hood guard to replace the SS one the always seems to cut someone, and two CF light guards to round it out. I run the Buck Stop bumpers front and rear, so they will come off and get up-dated with some fresh new paint. When I re-install them, I will also install light bars, or some call them trucker bars, I sprung for the newer LED ones. On the inside, I will be adding a new gauge console, this one will be mounted on top of the dash (I have no more room) and hold 2-AutoMeter Air gauges and electronics for the new air bag system. Also I am installing a new air pressure monitor system, the one made by Doorman. It monitors each wheel including the trailers wheels, and can give you exact location, position, and psi rating. That is it for the inside.

Under the truck in the front, I will install the Skyjacker lift system, and while am am at it, rebuild the front end as needed. Install the new track bar, 4-Fox shocks and limiting straps.

In the rear I will install the new rear leaf springs, and 2-Fox shocks. Also I will install the new air bag set-up, with new lines and fittings. While there I will also re-configure the controls, and add new solenoids. The rear will also get the traction bars re-installed, but this time I am going to add a shackle type piece to the front so the suspension can cycle throughout better. The old mount kept it from doing this.

For rolling stock I have given this much thought, probally the most thought for the whole project. Belive me when I tell you I LABORED over this discission. I will run 37" tires with this new suspension, and they will be Dick Cepek Fun Country II. In the rear I will use 325-80-16 (37-13. 50-16) on 16" x 6" US Wheel 1058 aluminum dually wheels (outside) and 16" x 6" steel OEM inner wheels. To make all this work I am using a 1-1/4" inside space and a 2-1/2" middle spacer. Up front I will run 18" wheels. I bought the Mickey Thompson Classic Lock 18"x10" with 37-13. 5-18 DC FCII tires. I feel this combination will make for a great ride. The larger 18" wheels will take out some of the inherent side wall flex that comes along with larger tires, and the larger rims will also look much more modern.

So what do you think???? I am almost finished with the new shop which means I will be starting this project some time soon. Soon to me might not be soon to you, I'm thinking cooler temps in the cooler months, my shop doesn't have ac, but it does have heat.

 

[Fishin Guide]

I had a Skyjacker 4/5" kit on the trucka t one time. The track bar bracket sucks! It is just not reinforced well enough to get the job done. Maybe some creative welding or gusseting will be in order.



Otherwise, I like the 4. 5" kit. No way I could go over a 35" tall tire on 16x10s as the fronts would rub turning into parking lots.



Dave

 

[MRosinski]

I have a 8" Rock Ready double flex on my wrangler, and now I cant stand skycracker. Almost every bracket has been replaced multiple times because of cracking. Finally I started modding the brackets and reinforcing them. And if you even go near mud w/their hiem joints, they wear fast, and then create deathwobble. Let me tell yea deathwobble on a narrow 2lane in a wrangler on 35's w/no sway bars is far from fun. I really like Fabtech's stuff and have heard great things about them.

 

[NVR FNSH]

How do 13. 5" wide tires fit on a 6" wide rim?



Brian

 

[y-knot]

I to was concerned about the hiem joints, I know they get lose and are a pain on anything that runs on the road. So I chose not to run them on this lift. I will use the upper and lower control arms with poly bushings for a tight, smooth and quit suspension.

The FabTec stuff is all first rate, I have another truck I lifted for my son and I used only there equipment, it worked out great and is still going. I used there Dual Shock mount on my truck, that was really the only piece that would work. They still say it wont fit a 3500 when you call there 1-800 tech line.

How do 13. 50 tires fit on a 6" wide rim?? Very tightly. I personally have yet to mount up a 13. 50 on a 6" rim, I guess I will see how it works. I'm still hoping 2. 5" is enough spacer to make it work between the 2 tires. I will have to see... ... ... ... .....

 

[NVR FNSH]

How do 13. 50 tires fit on a 6" wide rim?? Very tightly. I personally have yet to mount up a 13. 50 on a 6" rim, I guess I will see how it works. I'm still hoping 2. 5" is enough spacer to make it work between the 2 tires. I will have to see... ... ... ... .....

I thought the normal recommendation was to have no more than a two inch difference between the tire and rim width - ie 10" tire on an 8" rim. I can't see how you'll get a flat tread section.



Brian