Lorenz Bilstein Leveling Kit w/ extended links

[RMacneil]

Look what the mailman brought me today! A double whammy! The first of two packages for my lift, and the new TDR!

Well, I finally busted a move on getting my truck leveled. After much research here on the TDR, I decided to e-mail Sean at Lorenz Industries. After e-mailing him with some questions, he called me back within about 45 minutes with the answers. I decided to go with his Bilstein Leveling Kit w/ 6% springs and the sway bar end-link upgrade.

This thread is going to follow my installation with before and after pics. I also plan on replacing the tires, but that won't be for another few months. I gotta do this one piece at a time... ya know what I mean?

I can say that after tons of research, I am going against what I usually run (BFG AT ko's), and plan to run the Nitto Terra Grappler 305/70R17/E all-terrains. Those should be coming around June. They size up to 33. 98" tall, 12. 36" wide, 3640lbs@65psi max, and are an "E" rated tire. Nitto is a subdivision of TOYO TIRES, and are made in Georgia OR Japan. The Nitto Rep said it's luck of the draw.

I will start the install when the coils arrive. So stay tuned.
Damn I'm stoked...

-Mac

#ad


#ad

 

[ENafziger]

Looks good Mac!!! Feel free to ask if you have any questions... I've been through several iterations of suspension/tire changes.

--Eric

 

[Harlacher]

Did their 4 inch lift kit, pretty straight forward. Hardest part was adding the new rear leaf spring.

 

[esibcy]

What determines if you get the new links (like shown in the pics above) or the spacer blocks that drop the stabilizer bar down like shown on the Lorenz website? Thanks! Eric

 

[Regcabguy]

What determines if you get the new links (like shown in the pics above) or the spacer blocks that drop the stabilizer bar down like shown on the Lorenz website? Thanks! Eric

Longevity. My stock links bent within a brief period after the lift. Sean's are built much better than the stockers. This design retains the stock bushing and the heims are rebuildable.

 

[RMacneil]

What determines if you get the new links (like shown in the pics above) or the spacer blocks that drop the stabilizer bar down like shown on the Lorenz website? Thanks! Eric

Lorenz Industries sells them as a $100 upgrade. From what Sean said, they are the way to go.

 

[esibcy]

Thanks guys! From looking at some more pics in the members section,I can see how they both keep the bar in alignment,although Seans do look like the way to go!

 

[RMacneil]

Coils came! Next weekend, it's on!

#ad

#ad

 

[ENafziger]

Looks like you've got a great helper there!!! I've got a couple years before my little girl (7 weeks old) can help out. I did have her in her carseat though explaining to her how to change oil last weekend!

--Eric

 

[RMacneil]

Before shots/measurements. Tomorrow, I install the kit. Oh yeah...

#ad


#ad


#ad


#ad


#ad


#ad

 

[RMacneil]

Looks like you've got a great helper there!!! I've got a couple years before my little girl (7 weeks old) can help out. I did have her in her carseat though explaining to her how to change oil last weekend!



--Eric

She just turned 4. I try my best to get her involved in this stuff. I'm hellbent on making sure she's got some tomboy in her. But we'll see... she's gotta absorb at least a little of what I'm exposing her to. At the very least, she'll be able to do the basics when she's older, oil change, etc. And that's good enough for me.

 

[RMacneil]

I got the kit installed!
The only pain in the *** was squeezing in the new spring on the passenger side. It would have been A LOT easier with a second person. Everything came out pretty easy, and went back together pretty easy with the exception mentioned above. I installed the passenger side first, then the driver. NOTE: While doing the driver side, be sure to support the axle with a jack once the shock is released- the brake line can get tensioned. On the passenger side, I found nothing to worry about.

I took some measurements:

Front fenders (as depicted in the pictures) Before: 39 1/4". After: 41 1/4"

Rear fenders (at the same point as the fronts) measure out at: 41 1/4"

So the distance from the tops of the tires to the fender lip, all the way around, are now all equal. NICE! (that's with my air springs completely deflated in the rear)

I also mic'd the OEM spring compared to the new Lorenz spring. I measured at the top, 5" back from the beginning of the coil:
OEM: . 802"
LORENZ: . 907"
The new coils are rattle-canned (twice) and the OEM coil's paint is unknown. But I doubt the thickness is much different. Aside from being thicker, you can see in the picture, the new coils are also 1"+ taller.

I should also note that I drove the truck a few miles, hit some bumps, ripped some corners and ran over some potholes prior to taking the "after" height measurements- just to be sure the coils were seated.
When I got in the truck, I could tell right away it was higher. I also noticed it rode much smoother than the OEM coils. When I hit bumps, it was smooth and didn't feel like it was running out of travel, like it did before. And there wasn't any bottoming-out on big bumps like it did with the OEM coils & shocks.

Although I didn't notice any pulling or strange steering issues, I still plan to align the truck next Thursday.

Overall, I couldn't be happier. Now I just need to get some bigger and better rubber on her, to get the full effect and fill those wheel wells better.

If you are looking to level your truck correctly, at this point, I'd definitely recommend this kit to anyone.

Here's the "after" pics:

#ad


#ad


#ad


#ad


#ad


#ad


#ad


#ad


#ad


#ad


That's it. I'll update this thread when I get some real tires on her and some more experience driving with the new hardware.

 

[RMacneil]

Well, I did my alignment today. I got to use a brand new HUNTER WinAlign rack. It was awesome. Lasers and big screen monitors. What a sweet machine! This was the first alignment I've done on this truck. The toe was kinda jacked. It was toed-in quite a bit. I don't know how much the leveling kit had to do with that, but it's corrected now. The caster was 1. 5 degrees more positive than the spec, and after some research, I decided to leave it there. And of course, there is no camber adjustment. Sweet!
Unfortunately the thrust angle of the rear end was off to the right. Nothing I can do about that. Oh well.
Before the alignment, my steering wheel was cocked a bit to the left and she pulled to the right, even before the leveling kit. Now, the steering wheel is straight, and she shoots down the road nice and straight. Much better.

As for the handling of this kit... I couldn't be more pleased. What a difference. Before it felt like a bad lowering job. Now, it is juuust right.
But I still need some new rubber! Patience is not my strong point. But the best choices are made after long periods of thought... real long.

 

[ENafziger]

Your truck's looking better all the time! I'm glad you're pleased with the ride. Keep us updated as to how things work out in the long run...

--Eric

 

[chrishenderson1970]

i've been running the Lorenz 2. 25 for i guess a couple years now, i really noticed a difference in the ride especially over BIG bumps. doesn't bottom or get out of control anyway, i went with the blocks and haven't had any problems.

 

[Lorenz]

Thanks for the detailed write up an pics. If you haven't already sent them over, can I use them on our website in the customer build section?

+++ LORENZindustries Dodge Suspension Buildups - Dodge Ram 2500 3500 4x4 performance suspension with the Cummins Diesel +++

 

[RMacneil]

Sure. Would you like me to e-mail the pics to you?

 

[Lorenz]

Yeh, emailing the photos would be great. Your kiddo will get a kick out of being on the internet. Did she get excited when she saw herself on TDR?



-- email address removed --

 

[Regcabguy]

Nice control arms Sean! Checked them out at NTG Racing today!

 

[RMacneil]

Sean-
I just shot them to you. If the links don't work, I can send the originals. Let me know.