lower the truck or raise the 5er

[BPellman]

Any idea what the various stealers is getting for TBS- 02. 001. 01(lower the rear suspention on 2500 - 3500 4x4) mod? I know I'm going to need it just wondering if I'll need to take out a second mortgage.



Anyone do it yourselfers?





TIA





Bill

 

[Boondocker]

too much

I was quoted $900 to do the height lowering TSB. That's just nuts! My 5vr came with axles flipped from the factory and I have at least 8 inches bed clearance sitting level. The trailer is a tiny bit nose up though, but very stable. Everything is too tall. I still want to lower the rear but haven't found an acceptable solution.



I keep telling myself I should go to the local 4WheelParts and see about a LIFT kit for a 2wd. I'm thinking some aftermarket lift blocks might be shorter than the 5. 5 inch factory blocks!

 

[MPalachuk]

Cant you cheat, Take your blocks out and have a machine shop shave them down. Cant be that hard or expensive to have it done. Then put the shortend blocks in.

 

[Berrigan]

Just go to a good suspension shop. The blocks come in lots of sizes and are cheap. Actually the cost of the new U- bolts should be more than the blocks. My guess would be 80 to 100 dollars fot 2 shorter blocks 2 U-bolts nuts and washers, with you doing the wrench work. Bill

 

[Berrigan]

Make that 4 U-bolts.

 

[ralbert]

Save your money and use your present u-bolts. Buy some bushing stock and cut to the proper lenght. I made my two inch blocks and they have been in the truck for 50,000 miles encluding a Alaska trip with no problems. Cost about $30. 00.

 

[E7mack96]

My spring shop says to never re-use U bolts/nuts.



How about yours?

 

[Berrigan]

If the bolts are fairly new, clean, lubed, and come off easy, and inspection shows no thread damage or stretching I have re used them without a problem. But the sad fact is most times they come off hard and damaged after nut removal. Then you can have problems with the bolts getting loose after a while.



I agree with the spring shops----replace. Bill

 

[BPellman]

Many thanks to everyone that has offered your input. My mission for today (providing this *&%* snow doesn't get too serious) is to check out the local suspension shops and see what the cost would be.

I know the local dealer will be out of the question... they ain't "Berger King". You don't get it your way, you get it thier way or you don't get it. I'll let y'all know how it turns out.



Thanks again



Bill

 

[Boondocker]

more than just blocks

Replacing the blocks with shorter ones is one piece of the puzzle. There are other factors to consider if you want to do a quality lowering job.



U-bolts have already been mostly discussed. Yes you can get away with reusing your stock u-bolts if they are pristine, but they will be too long, thus prone to catching stuff and becoming damaged. Correctly sized replacements are best.



Driveline (pinion) angle changes with shorter blocks. This misalignment can result in driveshaft vibration, which is an indication of accelerated wear. Any quality lift kit comes with proper sized (angled) shims to correct the pinion angle. A quality lowering job needs to do the same.



Brake proportioning. Our truck have a brake proportioning sensor that biases brake proportioning to the rear under load. This sensor is based on pinion angle, no scales involved. It can be adjusted to be normally biased at lower ride height.



Headlight adjustment. Our headlights are pretty much crap as is, pointing them higher doesn't help and only aggrevates oncoming motorists. They should be adjusted too.



Most of these considerations are nominal to no cost, but valuable in the overall quality of the job.



Cheers,

Neil

 

[DF5152]

if you are lowering your truck and use a straight block you should have fewers problems with pinion angle than if you were raising the truck pinion angle becomes more favorable as you lower the truck. I made some 2 in lift blocks out of steel plate for my chevy when i had it. I drilled a hole in the top for the guide pin from the springs and used a bolt(hardened) in the bottom with the top cut off. the brake proportioning should be simple just adjust the rod if thats the type they use. U bolt are cheap enough and the peice of mind u get with new ones is well worth the price. headlights can always use an adjustment

 

[daytripper63]

Just spring over trailer I had 98. 5 4x4 and it was fine after spring over and trailer dealer did it for under 400. 00

And now with my new 03 4x4 the bed rails are even taller than my 98. 5 and I am closer but o. k. after I installed 2" leveling kit in front to lower rear corners of p. u. bed since pivot point is rear axle

I would hate to lower my truck, like the look to much

good luck

Robert

 

[Wiredawg]

Raise the 5er

Raise the 5er. We moved the 3 axles under the springs and gained 4" of height o my Travel Supreme. I have about 8" clearance to the bed. 5er rides fine, no top heavy or any neg handling problems. Way easy solution. If you lower your truck, your aux springs will be sitting on the stops all the time as well



Wiredawg