lift kit suggestions

[rjm]

im shopping for a lift kit for my 2500 4x4-suitabe for 33" tires -the truck sits level with my camper on now so im assuming ill need to lift the back as well as front. any suggestions? i NOT looking for a budget unit just a quality unit that will last-thanks,russ

 

[HillCountrykid]

First of all, welcome to the TDR.



I have the Skyjacker 2. 5" coils up front, and add-a-leafs in the rear. I'm running 305/70's, which are 33/12. 5" sized tires.



I like the coils, but you'll need to get longer shocks, and probably a longer trackbar like the DT tracbar. This will keep your axle centered under the truck.



The only thing about add-a-leafs is that they make the ride stiffer and the overload leaves don't have the same arch as the rest of the spring pack, so they might not work as well. I also replaced the factory 4. 5" lift blocks with shorter 2. 5~3" ones, so I got close to 2" lift in the rear.



Maybe someone will have some different ideas.



Brian

 

[rjm]

thanks Brian- 1 more ? why not use just the spacer in front and maintain the stock spring? i question the integrity of aftermarket springs. (ive seen aftermarket springs for road cars sag etc. over a short period of time) Is the sj spring a higher rating? stiffer ride? thanks again sir-russ

 

[Ncostello]

I believe RO'neal is in the process of moving right now so he may not chime in immediately... but I think he's had experience with several on his CTD 2500. According to him SkyJacker is the only way to go. He's running 38's. He's been doing this kind of stuff for a long time... not only on the Cummins Dodge and he runs it off-road alot. Maybe PM him and I'm sure he'll fill you in.



Personally I know nothing about lifts. I've only got 1 wheel drive.

 

[Clinton]

For 33" tires you don't need a whole lot. The SJ D25 coil seems to be a good spring and pretty popular around here. I've got 12 months on mine and no sag. They are progressively wound and made for the 3/4 and 1-ton trucks with the V-10 and CTD. I like them and the ride they give better than the stock spring. As mentioned, you would need longer shocks and a trac bar. Spacers are a fine way to go too, I just liked the progressive aspect of the D25. Either way, the axle will be a bit to the rear of the wheel well and you could replace the trailing arms if you wanted. I haven't noticed any performance issues with the stock arms.



For the rear you could go a couple of ways: add-a-leafs, new spring packs, or air bags. If you run with a heavy camper alot, you may consider air bags like Firestone 'Ride Rites'. New spring packs are ultimately the way to go to get rid of that big lift block, but they're pricy. I bought my rig and it had the Ride Rites on there and if I'm running heavy the truck will be a bit nose up with the coils up front. A few psi in the bags and it levels right out. The good news is you've got plenty of options. Good luck.

 

[rjm]

i have a four wheel pop up camper and it weighs only 1250 lbs. wet. How tough are those air bags? whats happens if i break 1 off road? It seems if the air bag is leveling the truck they must also be supporting the weight? correct?

 

[Clinton]

Pretty tough... can't quantify it though. I've done some pretty hard travelling on mine and they held up great, didn't lose any pressure either. Do a search for Firestone Ride Rites on the 'net or air bag suspension on the TDR and you'll get plenty of info.

 

[Ncostello]

From what I know about airbags... I'd say if you break one you've probably also broke or bent something else too. Very little pressure mutiplied times the surface area of the bag will support a tremendous amount of weight. And the bags are built tough like the ones used on semi suspensions. Kinda similar to tire construction.



The are not intended to increase the load capacity of the truck by supporting weight... as the weight capacity is dependent on axle capacity more than spring rate. The bags only assist the springs to allow you to get to the load capacity without rear sagging. etc. They do carry weight yes... but dont increase any payload.



However... . if you decide to overload they will actually increase your carrying capacity. Some bags are capable of supporting 5000 lbs as long as your axles and brakes can do it too. But the folks who make them wont tell you they increase the load rating.

 

[Clinton]

Check this out:



ride rite



That's what came on my rig. I knew they had a site, but I didn't have it marked. Anyway, Ncostello said what I was thinking earlier, I just couldn't put it into words very well. I never really used mine much until I installed the D25 coils. They are a nice complement to the levelled front.

 

[HillCountrykid]

Russ, I don't think mine have settled much, if any in about 8 months and 25k~30k miles. I have a 200~ish lb bumper with a 135 lb winch, so I say there's not much concern about settleing. Along with the Rancho 9000's and the SJ coils it rides much better tha stock. I used to bottom out in small dips in the road. Now it takes alot more, and I don't have to baby it though the same dips. I have never found the spring rate for these.



Brian

 

[rjm]

im gonna look into the sj set up- im not hearing much about anything else -except for the T. REX set up but thats too extreme for my use. (looks like sj needs some competition!!) anyone use the DT profab set up (springs/up,lower tiebar)? BTW Brian your truck looks good the picture is only a thumbnail-is there a way to enlarge it? thanks -russ

 

[rmcnamee]

I had the complete (Class II) 2. 5" Skyjacker kit on my 2001 and loved it. The front springs were great and never sagged, even with my 700 pound Fisher plow hanging off the front of the truck. In my opinion, I would stay away from the kits that use the spacers. I'm sure they are quality kits, but the I don't like the idea of the spacers. Also, while running both the stock 265s and the 35" BFGs, I found the truck to ride nicer with the Skyjacker springs and shocks over the stock set-up. I plan to install this same kit on my 2004 when it arrives.



Good luck,

Ryan

 

[Seed Guy]

I ran 33s on a stock truck. Although I now have D25s and love them. You get such an improved ride i really dont know how Dodge justifies not putting a similar coil on at the factory.

 

[HillCountrykid]

Thanks Russ. Have you clicked on "Kid's truck" and had the page of 6 or so pictures come up? There is a page before the actual gallery with a small side view shot of the truck. Not the best quality pictures though.



Brian

 

[rjm]

duhhhh-why i didnt see that before i dont know (lol) have you had trouble with the front tire rubbing when at lock and articulating the susp. ( like going thru a deep rut on an angle ) ?

 

[HillCountrykid]

Your new, so I want pick on ya'.



I have only noticed that it has rubbed twice. I don't buy the biggest tires possible for that reason. The tire rubs the rear of the wheel well, not the control arms. The aftermarket wheels have less backspacing, so the tires clear the control arms.



edit: Ooops. I just saw that your only new to posting, but have been a member longer than me.