Off Roading Lifting a dually

[tpruitt]

I have a 4. 5 skyjacker lift with a custom built 3 inch coil spacer and i am running 37 inch tires with no problem Check out my pics and see what you think



Trey

 

[CumminFast]

That is a good-lookin rig! Did you put any lift on the back? I got my skyjacker kit yesterday, and I ordered some 2" spacers for the front today. I am going to order a 2 1/2" block from superlift tomorrow. If I put some power to it, I will get some traction bars, but I don't think I will have a problem. Did you put on your lift yourself? What is the biggest tire you could fit on your rig?

 

[tpruitt]

without rubbing the 37 12. 5 is the largest i can run. The rear just has an add a leaf in it. I did my lift myself it took a good day in a half to get everything right. The only reason that we made the 3 inch spacer was to level the truck after the 280 of winch and mount were put on. now the rear sits a touch higher than the front just like i like it but its pretty close to level.



Trey

 

[CumminFast]

I am going to try to tackle my lift this weekend. Do you have any hints? Do I need any special tools? I am getting a pitman arm puller. Did you use a spring compressor? I have a ranchhand style bumper on mine so I may not need that 2" lift on the rear.

 

[tpruitt]

its all pretty simple but just time consuming. The hardest part is the tracbar relocation bracket but even that not to bad. I used the compressor when i installed the Spacers but not for when i had the normal lift one with out the winch and spacers.

 

[CumminFast]

So I shouldn't need a spring compressor when installing the spring spacers when I do the whole lift and have the front axle disconnected?

 

[tpruitt]

I would have them just in case. New spring that are not broke in are taller than one that have been driven around on for a year. I think that in your case with the new spring and the spacers you will need them.



Trey

 

[CumminFast]

I got the lift installed this weekend. The truck is at the alignment shop right now. I couldn't get the sway bar back on the front end though! I found some brackets in one of the boxes that looked like it was made to help the sway bars, but either way I couldnt get it back on. Maybe when it gets aligned I will be able to put it on. It took me and my friend about 20 hours or two full days. This was our first one, but everything went fairly smooth. I also put the 2" spacers on the front w/o using a spring compressor. I am going to add 2" blocks to the rear a little later this week.

 

[JGheen]

Originally posted by CumminFast

I got the lift installed this weekend. The truck is at the alignment shop right now. I couldn't get the sway bar back on the front end though! I found some brackets in one of the boxes that looked like it was made to help the sway bars, but either way I couldnt get it back on. Maybe when it gets aligned I will be able to put it on. It took me and my friend about 20 hours or two full days. This was our first one, but everything went fairly smooth. I also put the 2" spacers on the front w/o using a spring compressor. I am going to add 2" blocks to the rear a little later this week.

Don't bother with putting the sway bar back on. I was running mine for a while and then took it off and found it to be on different in handling on the freeway or in town. Just don't take corners like an F1 car or anything. It works great for wheelin' as well, you get a lot more flex than with the bar on. Your next step, if you have not done it already, should be a steering upgrade. My stock box had just too much sector shaft play in it recently and I changed it out the a PSC box, also installed a Solid Steel steering brace. It is one hell of a set up. The low geared steering box turns my 37" SSRs with such ease, I can turn the wheel lock to lock with my pinky finger. Plus the steering brace holds that sector shaft in place and now the steering anchors off of the brace rather than the shaft. Just wanted to throw in that advice, being my 3500 is lifted.