Lifting front end

[MMeier]

I also recommend the Skyjackers. Ive got the 2" kit on mine, and it made a huge difference. Unfortunatly i dont recall the part number either. I think if you do a search on Skyjacker Leveling Kit or something like that you may come up with it.





I WOULD NEVER use a block on the front axle, on or off road. There is a big chance of them comming out. I dont really even like using them on the rear for lifts.

The Skyjacker D200CS (2") is the one that will level out the truck nicely. . the 1" one just isn't enough. I learned the hard($)way. . I have the D200CS on my 92 and they REALLY improved the ride as well as the looks. . very easy to change as well... So, what did you guys do to get around the sleeve issue?

 

[MMeier]

$720?? I think i payed a little over $200 for mine, and had em in in under and hour!!

Like $240 a side, $160 to install plus an alignment, which probably is not a bad idea.

 

[boatpuller]

I have had mine for 6 or 7 years and at least 80,000 miles without the sleeve and have had no problems with them, I did pull them apart once after a year or so, after I saw someone talking about the sleeves on here and there was no wear on the bolts, they still look fine now, no looseness or play, the front end hasn't sagged a noticeable amount either, there is still plenty of travel before hitting the bump stop. I would have no problem in following their instructions and discarding the sleeve. Just my $. 02,



Caleb

 

[MMeier]

I have had mine for 6 or 7 years and at least 80,000 miles without the sleeve and have had no problems with them, I did pull them apart once after a year or so, after I saw someone talking about the sleeves on here and there was no wear on the bolts, they still look fine now, no looseness or play, the front end hasn't sagged a noticeable amount either, there is still plenty of travel before hitting the bump stop. I would have no problem in following their instructions and discarding the sleeve. Just my $. 02,



Caleb

How did the bushings look though?

 

[boatpuller]

How did the bushings look though?

The bushings still look fine, they are the red plastic bushings, not rubber. might be polyurethane? Don't seem to be wearing at all.



This coming weekend I will pull one out and check it to see what it looks like on the inside.

 

[AKimmel]

I made my own bushings and sleeves, but if I did it over again, I would look into reusing my main leaf (the top one with the spring eyes made into it) and making the rest up with the skyjacker pieces. I did put one of the leafs from my old spring pack into the skyjacker one to make it the same number of leafs as my old ones. I think the skyjackers are 5 and my old ones were 6 if I remember right. I have heard of someone having the front spring eye rerolled on the skyjacker spring to take the original size bushing. Original is 1-1/4" and the skyjacker is only 1" on the front eye.

 

[MMeier]

This coming weekend I will pull one out and check it to see what it looks like on the inside.

Let us know what you find! TIA!! Went to the other 4 wheel Parts in town today and these clowns want to sell me a pitman arm kit, new shocks, blah, blah, blah and came out to damn near $1000 !!! Has anyone else needed the pitman arm kit when just going for a stinkin' 2" of lift on the front!!... . Or 2" longer shocks for that matter?

 

[tx_fireman1525]

I didnt have a problem with the pitman arm, but i did buy longer shocks.



Thats why i hate 4 wheel parts. They get some little yuppie city boy workin in there that dont know a dang thing about trucks tryin to tell ME what i need for MY truck!!!

 

[MMeier]

I didnt have a problem with the pitman arm, but i did buy longer shocks.



Thats why i hate 4 wheel parts. They get some little yuppie city boy workin in there that dont know a dang thing about trucks tryin to tell ME what i need for MY truck!!!

Did you NEED the shocks or just get them "because"? Think I'll just buy the damn springs myself and hopefully find time to put them in myself.

 

[Makaio]

Let us know what you find! TIA!! Went to the other 4 wheel Parts in town today and these clowns want to sell me a pitman arm kit, new shocks, blah, blah, blah and came out to damn near $1000 !!! Has anyone else needed the pitman arm kit when just going for a stinkin' 2" of lift on the front!!... . Or 2" longer shocks for that matter?

Mark,



I am just sharing my experience. I originally had a 1. 5 add-a-leaf to cure my sagging front end. I was told by one clerk at 4 Wheel Parts that I didn't need a drop down pitman arm for a 2" lift. After I installed the add-a-leaf, my steering wheel was about 90* off center. I could've simply grinded out the master spline on the steering wheel hub and repositioned the wheel but I installed an adjustable drag link instead so I wouldn't lose steering travel. The tie rod end on the drag link that connects to the pitman arm failed after only a year. After days of looking at my steering setup and confirming with 2 suspension specialists, we found out there was too much angle on the drag link's tie rod. I searched Skyjacker's site and eventually called a technician to clarify things. Skyjacker has a drop down pitman arm for 2"-4" lift. The part number is DA20. DA40 is for a 4" lift. DA45 is for a 6" lift. You can make the call if you feel you need one or not. My draglink hasn't failed again since I installed the drop down pitman arm. There are others who have had no problems with the stock arm and 2" lift. As far as shocks, I needed new ones at the time of the spring swap so I changed them. Not sure if I did need longer ones or not because the clerk at 4 Wheel Parts went outside to the parking lot and actually measured my shock mounts from top to bottom and referenced the catalog after to get the part numbers. Sorry for the earful but I got frustrated with all I had to go through when I lifted my front and would like others to avoid the hassle should they run into any problems.



Aloha,

Matt

 

[tx_fireman1525]

Well i kept the stock ones for a while, but they would max out in larger potholes and such. It didnt take long for em to wear out.

 

[MMeier]

Mark,



I am just sharing my experience. I originally had a 1. 5 add-a-leaf to cure my sagging front end. I was told by one clerk at 4 Wheel Parts that I didn't need a drop down pitman arm for a 2" lift. After I installed the add-a-leaf, my steering wheel was about 90* off center. I could've simply grinded out the master spline on the steering wheel hub and repositioned the wheel but I installed an adjustable drag link instead so I wouldn't lose steering travel. The tie rod end on the drag link that connects to the pitman arm failed after only a year. After days of looking at my steering setup and confirming with 2 suspension specialists, we found out there was too much angle on the drag link's tie rod. I searched Skyjacker's site and eventually called a technician to clarify things. Skyjacker has a drop down pitman arm for 2"-4" lift. The part number is DA20. DA40 is for a 4" lift. DA45 is for a 6" lift. You can make the call if you feel you need one or not. My draglink hasn't failed again since I installed the drop down pitman arm. There are others who have had no problems with the stock arm and 2" lift. As far as shocks, I needed new ones at the time of the spring swap so I changed them. Not sure if I did need longer ones or not because the clerk at 4 Wheel Parts went outside to the parking lot and actually measured my shock mounts from top to bottom and referenced the catalog after to get the part numbers. Sorry for the earful but I got frustrated with all I had to go through when I lifted my front and would like others to avoid the hassle should they run into any problems.



Aloha,

Matt

Matt, really appreciate all the info you PM'ed the other day. . just thought a simple 2" spring swap would be just that... a simple spring swap, but as usually is the case I thought wrong once again. Might just wait a bit now and see what else transpires, might just as well go and get the full blown kit and go all the way around with it.

 

[Makaio]

Matt, really appreciate all the info you PM'ed the other day. . just thought a simple 2" spring swap would be just that... a simple spring swap, but as usually is the case I thought wrong once again. Might just wait a bit now and see what else transpires, might just as well go and get the full blown kit and go all the way around with it.

Well, now it's a simple spring swap with all the info and forewarnings. :-laf That's what we're here for, right? Mark, there's no turning back now. Better hurry and get those springs on before something else comes up.



Aloha,

Matt

 

[TomThomas]

For what it's worth, I was low on funds and just had my original springs re-arched. Sits 100% better and doesn't hit the bump stops anymore. Clears 285/75/16's and only cost $120 2yrs ago.

 

[MMeier]

For what it's worth, I was low on funds and just had my original springs re-arched. Sits 100% better and doesn't hit the bump stops anymore. Clears 285/75/16's and only cost $120 2yrs ago.

How does it ride?

 

[TomThomas]

probably like stock (pretty stiff). Maybe new shocks would've helped. When I first got the truck, the springs were sagging really bad (maybe less than 1 inch from the bumps). The shop that re-arched 'em said they could build new springs, and that would have been about the same $$ as buying Skyjackers. One reason I didn't go with Skyjackers (besides $$) is I couldn't get a straight answer regarding lift, fitment, etc. I knew the CTD was heavier than the gas models, so I didn't think gas springs would work.

 

[hotram03]

Well I'm glad I read this, as once again nothing is ever simple, I had priced getting my factory springs "Rebuilt" here in Nashville, they want around 275. 00 a side for new springs, and around 175. 00 to rebuild, I don't really no which way to go as it sounds like skyjackers are going to call for pitman arm replacement, I think I may stay stock, and what is the deal with the bushings on the new skyjacker springs? This was the first I heard of this.

 

[KJMiller]

I had my front springs re arched 70,000 miles ago, they are still holding good.

Yes I do run 33'' tires. I am in the process of rebulding my pickup it goes in the shop tomarrow. For a new clutch and fix the KDP. Next week new paint job.



93 4x4 extended cab nv4500 3'' exaust. 225000 miles. I bought it new.

 

[DValentine]

I got the 2 in Skyjackers 2 years ago. 80K miles on them. Got rid of the the death shake. It rides 1. 5 inches higher. I have stock shocks, pitman and drag link. No problems. I like the look and the ride. Go for it. Stay away from blocks on the front.

 

[MMeier]

I got the 2 in Skyjackers 2 years ago. 80K miles on them. Got rid of the the death shake. It rides 1. 5 inches higher. I have stock shocks, pitman and drag link. No problems. I like the look and the ride. Go for it. Stay away from blocks on the front.

DV, what year is your ride? If an '92 or '93 how did YOU address the front spring eye bolt sleeve mess?