lowering rear end

[KENNY]

Does Dodge still lower the rear end of 4X4 trucks if they are too high for you fifth wheel?

Thanks, Ken

 

[phoekema]

I know Dodge had a kit for this purpose, but it was rather expensive in my opinion. I have a 98. 5 and had a local suspension shop replace the 4" blocks with 2" blocks. Much less expensive and seems to have done the job for me. Only problem I have had is a slight drive train viabration when I really hammer it.

 

[klenger]

No kit or parts required. Just a few tools and a bit of swet. See http://www.klenger.net/dodge/lowering-rear-end/slide01.html for instructions.

 

[GFritsch]

What a great website! http://www.klenger.net/dodge/index.html



Just added it to my favorites. Thanks for sharing all this information and for all the work it took!



Greg

 

[klenger]

Thanks for the nice comments about the website.



We only had 208,010 hits last month, and 251,037 in March.



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[Radshooter]

How necessary is a torque wrench to do this? I have never used one for anything. I always just used the TFAR method. (That Feels About Right), but have never worked on anything this heavy-duty. I read in my research that the U-bolts should be torqued to 110 lbs. Can I just crank them down good and snug, or do I really need a torque wrench?

Thanks... ... Steve

 

[phoekema]

My vote is use the TFAR method with common sense. Don't use the advice one of my fellow workers, "tighten it until the threads strip, then back off 1/8 turn!!!!" If you are really concerned, put it together and then drive the truck to a mechanic with a torque wrench and let him check it.

 

[klenger]

You should be able to rent a torque wrench from a tool rental place pretty cheap, but IMHO, having a good 1/2" torque wrench is just too handy to have around for checking lug nuts to not own one. Take this as an excuse to buy one.

 

[rubberneck]

My vote is use the TFAR method with common sense. Don't use the advice one of my fellow workers, "tighten it until the threads strip, then back off 1/8 turn!!!!" If you are really concerned, put it together and then drive the truck to a mechanic with a torque wrench and let him check it.

That one is almost as good as the "tighten it until it breaks, then do all the rest just a little less" method. LOL

 

[zues]

I did the same mod to my 2004. 5 and now upgrading to a Mega Cab 3500. Will the overload springs still work the same? I have not looked at one up close and not sure if the overloads will come in contact sooner or later while loading.

 

[StricklandJ]

2006 3500 Mega Cab 4x2

No spacer blocks are on the 4x2 3500 trucks. I wanted to lower my bed for 5th wheel tow but having no luck with this method.



Any suggestions?

 

[Radshooter]

Will the dealer do this for me?

Hi guys. Sorry to resurrect an old thread, but I have been thinking some more about this. Given that my present location is at least 80 miles from any kind of parts store, I don't want to take the chance of stripping out anything, or buggering up any threads etc. It is not a simple "run down and get another one" from here. Besides, if I goofed something up the wife would never let me live it down. :-{}


Anyway, I will be due for another oil change soon, and was wondering if the dealer would do this for me without messing with the warranty? Is there anything about this that will void the warranty?
How much labor would they charge me for? Shouldn't be more than an hour I'm guessing since they have the lift and air wrenches, etc. How do I tell them what I want done? (I guess I could print out the pics from klenger's website for them to follow!)

I would really like to get this done because our triple axle rides slightly nose high, and puts extra weight on the back axle. Dropping the truck 1 1/2" would be just about what the doctor ordered.

Thanks... ... ... . Steve