more on the Skyjacker springs

[Wayne M.]

I found a dealer for the spring kits and was wondering if anyone has done business with them. It's Rocky mountain suspension products, and they have a great website showing many skyjacker items (including a dual front shock mount kit) for our trucks. http://www.rockymountainsusp.com/dodge69_93.htm



They show a 2. 5" system (which is complete front and rear) that eliminates the rear blocks. Would this be like using the 6" rear spring?

 

[MMiller]

I bought a 4" rough country kit for my 75 from them. Had good luck from them, and would use them again. Don't know about the 2. 5 inch kit all the way around. I used a 2. 5 in the front of my truck and am happy with it. It helped the ride on my truck a lot, I just used the kelderman on the rear to level the truck.



I also use air lift bags when towing my large trailer as with the truck level empty, when loaded the headlights point into the trees!



I am pretty sure that the skyjackers on the rear won't haul the heavy loads that the stockers will. If you plan on hauling or towing heavy keep in mind you might need to do something with the rear like bags. Any body else want to add about the rears??



Michael

 

[Wayne M.]

Michael, I am really interested in the kelderman stuff. For the rear, do you have the whole 4 link kit or helpers for the stock springs? I do like the front bag kit, but you have to eliminate the swaybar and I'm not sure about loading the chassis in one spot between the springs.

 

[sparks57]

Yeah, the "system" has the 6" rear springs from what I've been told by there techs, because I have contacted these guys because they have very resonable prices.

 

[MMiller]

Hey Wayne;



The kelderman unit that I have is on the rear of the truck. It is not the fourlink. The unit I have is the original(old school) one that has a single air bag in the center of the frame rails where the spare tire used to be. They removed the rear shackle mount from the frame and put a hinge assembly in this area that spans the frame rails and hooks the rear of the leaf springs together. Is this making sense? It does not increase the load carrying capacity. When the truck is empty adding air raises the rear of the truck. When loaded you can still add air to the air bag BUT the leaf springs will flex and be the capacity limiter. Basically when loaded you use the original leaf springs and overloads to carry the wieght. This kelderman unit is only good if you run around empty most of the time.



When I added the skyjackers to the front, I could pump up the kelderman to get the truck to set level empty. When loaded the original leafs in the rear would settle down to the overloads like normal, but because the front is now higher, the headlights point into the trees(like a chivvey ). This is why I added the air lift helper bags to the top of the leaf springs. This way when empty the kelderman carries the truck, and the air lift bags have no air in them, and when loaded I pump up the air lift bags to level the truck and get it to ride nice loaded.



Does this make sense?



As far as the front unit, I have a 75 dodge 4X4 that I removed the swaybar for better offroading and I don't notice any driving differnce. I wouldn't worry about the load on one section of the frame either, kelderman makes good stuff. That would have been pulled off the market long ago if there was frame problems. That unit has been out since the late 80's early 90's.



Sorry for the long post



Michael

 

[bgilbert]

Michael, wheres the pics of the 75 Dodge???? Bill

 

[dkuehn]

Wayne, I got a 4" front and a 2 1/2" rear skyjacker spring lift for mine as the best price was from Summit Racing in Ohio. They were the cheepest of all and shipping for the kit with 4 springs (about #375+) was only $7. 95!!! All there shipping is $7. 95 for anything including engine blocks, ect. Call them with the part numbers and see.



Dan

 

[MMiller]

I'll have to dig them up. I also need to hook my 93 up to my flatbed and put my 75 and my 90 on it to show everybody how we go 4 wheeling!! I'll try and get something set up.



Its just a 75 4X4 with 60F 14 rear, 440, 4spd, and some 33" swampers on it. It runs pretty good, idling down the street in 2nd gear, open up the 4 barrel and it will put the truck sideways down the street with the locker locked.



I guess you could say I have a, uhm, errrr, weakness, for Dodge 4X4's!



Michael

 

[bgilbert]

Michael, now I'm drooling, 440, 4sp ! Oooooh 3 Dodge 4WD's sweet!! I was wondering how much we could pull, I have 3 Dodge 4wd's and didnt know if two trucks on a trailer would be too much; or over gross?? Can't wait to see the pics. BTW was 75 the last year for the divorced case in the Dodge's? What t-case do you have, divorced mated? Thanks Bill

 

[Wayne M.]

Michael, does kelderman still make this rear susp kit? I don't want you to go out into the weather, but can you show a picture?

I knew what it was like to have big block power- my last truck was a D350 dually that I put a 400 (warmed up) and had a 435 trans behind it. That truck was fun to drive- had about the same towing grunt as our oil burners have. Your trucks really sound nice. A coworker has a '74 W250 318-3, 435 trans that he ordered new and is planning a resto soon.

Gotta love these trucks!!!!!!

 

[Paychk]

Kederman has pics here:



http://www.kelderman.com/new_air_ride/Dodge_94up_rear_air_ride.htm

 

[bbmopar383]

Wayne, I put the 4 inch skyjacker kit on my '92 250. I was extremely disappointed with how much it lifted the truck. I only got 2. 5 inches out of a 4 inch lift.



However, it rides the same as stock.



kool keith

 

[MMiller]

Good link paycheck, that is not the system I have however, mine has the singe bag, not the duals like the pictures show. I will try and get under the truck this weekeng and get some pics. Ya gotta promise not to laugh though, my truck is needing attention underneith before the Illinios winter road department eats it away!! I see that kelderman doesn't have pics of his first gen setup.



My 75 has the np435 with a 203 trasfer case that I converted to part time(married). I have never owned one with the divorced setup, but seen several. 74-75 is about the apropriate break though. I also forget to mention that all three of my dodges are painted red! Yeah I like the color, but it sure makes is confusing talking about my trucks, gotta call them out by year! Can't say the diesel anymore!



Michael

 

["Mad Max"]

Fellas -



I had the 6" rear leafs and 4" fronts on my 74 power wagon in my readers rigs. I also had the stock 3" rear blocks under the 6" springs, which is how I got the rear ride height. But with the truck being so long and wide it looked awesome when it was all done. Also, towing my 18" dovetail and 4000 lb toy the truck rode like a dream and there was never, ever, any control or weight problems, ever. WIth the added weight it rode great. Being 21 feet long and a dually I'm sure helped with the control factor



- S

 

[Wayne M.]

THE FRONTS ARE DONE!!!!!!!

All I have read about these springs (2"skyjackers) were on the money! This truck now rides better than a new F250. The front is now a little higher than the rear. I have to install the add a leafs later.

If anyone wants to see a pic I'd be glad to get something on. The install itself wasn't too bad. The left front bolt and right rear lower shackle pin were frozen, but other than that it went real well.



Now onto the floorpan and paint!



Was there a kit to install a 2nd gen seat in 1st gen? has anyone done it? is the 2nd gen seat wider or narrower? I would rather buy well produced brackets than make 'em.

 

[Marty1]

If anyone is interested I have a complete Kelderman Air ride on my truck I'm considering removing & going to something a little different. I found the Kelderman system awesome when the truck was some-what stock but with the set up I now have the Kelderman has a little more movement in the back than I'd like.

It's the system that incorperates the rear receiver hitch & two air bags... one at the rear of each spring in the back. They have their own air compressor & guage in the cab & you can raise or lower the pressure from the cab while driving.

The fronts have bags in the center of the springs & two air tanks. They are filled manually to the pressure you like & you can eliminate front leaves to your preference.

Price?? Don't know... make me an offer.