Off Roading new lift!!

[0013]

i recieved my new 4. 5" SJ lift for my truck--ill be installing it this weekend. ive done lifts before so shouldnt be too bad. this is my first 4. 5" SJ--any advice? man im i excited--ill get this done just in time for the ralley coming up in a couple weeks..... Oo.

 

[JGheen]

Did you get the double flex kit or did you get the control arms with the bushing ends?

I have the 4. 5" that your running and I would strongly recommend to have your control arms adjusted properly if you got the adjustable hiem arms. With this kit the brackets that raise the upper control arm location are actually putting on a lot more leverage on the stock bracket that is welded to the coil bucket and from a couple years of wheelin' and hard round town braking the sotck bracket on the coil bucket tore away from the bucket and the SJ bracket was the only thing holding it all together. Not a good situation, but I welded the **** out of the stock bracket and haven't had any problems since. Just make sure the upper control arm is not pulling or pushing to hard on the camber of the axle or you will eventually have what happened to me happen to you.

Other than that it is a great kit and the biggest tire I fit on mine is a 37". I would also recommend junking the SJ track bar drop bracket that the kit comes with as it is worthless and will eventually loosen up and wear out the bracket hole. I went to the DT track bar and bracket and welded the bracket in and so far it is a much stouter set-up for keeping that axle located and preventing any death wobble.

I am pretty sure that is it from my experience, I will let you know if i think of anything else. Enjoy!



Joe

 

[tpruitt]

I have the same SJ kit that you do and i have had nothing but problems. My coils could not hold the weight of the truck, to get the 4. 5 i had to add a 3inch coil spacer. The bushings in the control arms wore out in a year and a half (About 45 to50k). And the other day the trac bar bracket broke in half. I had a problem it a while ago with the trac bar coming loose and tightend it back up then the the other day it gave all at once. We ended up welding it back up and then reinforced the heck out of it and then welded it to the frame. Hopefully i will not have to worry about the control arm mounts but i will be on the look out for it now.



Trey

 

[pwerwagn]

I had the SJ class II double flex system on my 97 1/2 ton. It was a pretty decent kit once the bugs were worked out. I ended up ditching the SJ shocks and went with custom valved bilstiens with ressy's, made a world of diff. I too had problems with the track bar bracket, so I fabbed one up out of 5/16" plate. It helped, but when I sold the truck it was starting to shimmy again. I had at one time went with the 2" spacer with the 5. 5" lift (it is 5. 5 on 1/2 tons, not 4. 5) and it wouldnt clear 40x13. 50's. so I went back to the 5. 5 with 37's. All in all, a pretty good kit. However, I aint buyin another one for the cost!

 

[0013]

Oo. well, three days later the lift is installed--had one hellva time. wrong u-bolts sent (had to wait till yesterday to p/u new, longer ones as i didnt find that out till late sat nite), the trackbar bracket required alot of grinding (along with the frame), plus i had no help (thats why it took so long). at least its done now. Oo.



in regards to the question of is it a single or double-flex--its neither (couldnt afford it). it the stock 4. 5" SJ lift. looks good, plus it was only 1050. shipped--but still need to adj drag link now as the steering wheel is WAY off--and re-install the leaf-pack wedges and new u-bolts.



im almost ready for the diesel ralley in LA. hopefully i can get the DD2's and gauges installed by then.....

 

[JGheen]

Oo.

im almost ready for the diesel ralley in LA. hopefully i can get the DD2's and gauges installed by then.....

I'll see ya there! Oo.

 

[tpruitt]

make sure you weld your trac bar bracket. the guys at skyjacker says that it's written in the instructions now because they have had so many problems.

 

[0013]

tpruitt,

looks like my stock trac bar is shot :{ maybe ill get rid of the skyjoker bracket after all. what are my options besides DT for aftermarket brands??? let me know ya'll... .