Off Roading Looking for thoughts on some ?'s I have

[Jeff Clark]

1. Does anybody see a problem running 4. 10 gears with 37-38's? I really don't want to go to a taller gear. I won't be pulling often and if I do, it will be light loads (6000-7000 lbs. ).



2. I want to use a 10" lift from Full Throttle Suspension. I haven't decided between the shortbed or the longbed. Will driveline angles be a huge problem with the shortbed? I don't know if the kit comes with anything to rotate the rear axle upward, but I can get a CV front driveshaft.



Thanks for the help.

 

[_Hyde]

I guess you've decided to go up as opposed to down like you'd been talking about before. I've got a friend with a phord running 35s and 3. 73 that has wanted lower gears but he pulls a fair amount. I'll give him a holler and verify what his thinking is. May not be as bad with the brute power of the CTD vs. powerchoke.



Darren

 

[CRSmith]

I withdraw my untactful post.

 

[Jeff Clark]

Darren, I decided to go up instead of down. I can't find parts that I like to lower a new 1 ton and I don't want to wait around for them to appear on the market. A friend of mine had 35's with 3. 73's and felt he lost too much power pulling his car trailer. He went back to 33's. If I go with a smaller lift and smaller tires, 4. 10's are fine.



Reduaram, the 10" kit for Full Throttle comes with new upper and lower control arms as well as mounting brackets, track arm relocation hardware, etc. etc. Full Throttle has a picture of a truck with the same setup that I am looking at, but I want an unbiased opinion. I may go with the 5" instead, but not if it comes with blocks in the back. I want new springs for the rear lift.

 

[RO'neal]

Originally posted by reduaram





Also, I don't have experience with 10" of lift. But on a 5. 5" (or so) skyjacker, the front axle was pulled back significantly by the control arms, the front axle was also pulled sideways a little by the track bar. The front driveshaft hit the crossmember and was at a steep angle.

I don't know what kind of pieced together lift you saw but I assure you it was not a Skyjacker. Their kit comes with EVERYTHING you need to lift the truck to include longer control arms and track bar relocation bracket. So if the axle was moved it's because whoever built the truck only added spacers/springs and not a complete lift. And the front driveshaft is nowhere near hitting the crossmember. Skyjacker makes the most complete lift for our rams and the highest quality.

Originally posted by reduaram



Your 10" lift (which I think is rediculous and a waste)

Why bash him? Everyone uses their truck for different reasons and builds them accordingly.

Originally posted by Jeff Clark

Darren, I decided to go up instead of down. I can't find parts that I like to lower a new 1 ton and I don't want to wait around for them to appear on the market. A friend of mine had 35's with 3. 73's and felt he lost too much power pulling his car trailer. He went back to 33's. If I go with a smaller lift and smaller tires, 4. 10's are fine.



Reduaram, the 10" kit for Full Throttle comes with new upper and lower control arms as well as mounting brackets, track arm relocation hardware, etc. etc. Full Throttle has a picture of a truck with the same setup that I am looking at, but I want an unbiased opinion. I may go with the 5" instead, but not if it comes with blocks in the back. I want new springs for the rear lift.

First off, I ran 35's with 3:54's and loved it. With my mods and that combo I got around 21mpg town/highway and had plenty of power. Now I am running 9" of lift with 38x15. 50" Swampers and I am planning to go with 4:10's. I still have plenty of power but want the low gear again for offroading.



As for the lift you've chosen I will tell you that it is crap, plain and simple. I've seen the lift and know guys who have used it. They are now running Skyjacker or D1ck Cepek, for good reason. What kind of driving do you do the most of? If you don't want to sacrifice ride quality I recommend the Skyjacker 4. 5" with a set of 35" BFG M/T's. That way you will still enjoy the comfort and smooth ride on the road but be able to go offroad too. You can fit 37x12. 50's with the 4. 5" lift but it is tight and if you do any heavy offroading will have rubbing. If you want to go bigger and don't mind sacrificing ride quality I recommend either a body lift on top of the 4. 5" kit or the Skyjacker 7" or D1ck Cepek 6" which are both long arm kits and high quality. The SJ is a bolt on and the DC requires cutting/welding to install. The 38" tires will definitely alter the ride quality though. I finally got mine lined out where I can drive it but when you go that big you have to expect a bumpy bouncy ride.



BTW, both Skyjacker lifts have rear springs as an option.

 

[Jeff Clark]

Thanks, RO'neal. I like the look of your truck BTW. I chose Full Throttle 'cause they are one of the few making a lift for the 03 2500/3500. The lift will be going on an 04 when I get it. Maybe Skyjacker will have one out by the time I'm ready. I like the looks of a tall lift with big meats, but for all practical purposes, 4-5" of lift with 35-36" tires will probably be enough.

 

[NC_Mog]

My biggest concern is towing with anything higher than a 4 to 5" lift and the reduction in vehicle stability. I'm just not that keen on big drop hitches and heavy trailers. I'd rather have the trailer closer to being inline with the frame.



Having said that, thankfully my '03 can run 35s with a stock suspension. I'll leave the big meats for the toy.

 

[RO'neal]

Originally posted by Jeff Clark

Thanks, RO'neal. I like the look of your truck BTW. I chose Full Throttle 'cause they are one of the few making a lift for the 03 2500/3500. The lift will be going on an 04 when I get it. Maybe Skyjacker will have one out by the time I'm ready. I like the looks of a tall lift with big meats, but for all practical purposes, 4-5" of lift with 35-36" tires will probably be enough.

Thanks Jeff,



I didn't realize you were talking about an 04. Like you said, hopefully SJ or DC will have something out by then for you.