2nd Gen Non-Engine/Transmission problem with 2" front lift on '02 4x4 ??

[damon]

I am looking into the 2" spring or spacer kit to level the front of my truck, and when I inquired with another TDR member about his Skyjacker springs for sale, he responded with the following:



"Be careful on your '02 on lifting the front. I have the same truck and when I raised mine with those springs I got a heck of a front driveline noise at about 70 mph on up. After checking closer, I figured out Dodge isn't putting the vacuum disconnect on the '02 models, so the front driveline turns ALL the time. I even tried cheap coil spacers with ½" less lift, and still had the noise. "



Has this happened to anyone else ? If so, is there a fix that will allow us to safely lift the front of the '02 4x4s ?



I guess that I don't really understand the function of the vacuum disconnect and how it plays in here, as this is my first 4x4, and my first Dodge truck as well, so if anyone could enlighten me in this respect it would be appreciated.



Thanks... ... Damon

 

[Blkdawdg]

No Noise!

I put the 2" spacers on my '02 4X4 and I haven't noticed any driveline noise up to 100 MPH.

 

[SamPap]

Damon,



I recently installed the D25 lift springs on my truck. So far I have not had any problems. The install was a piece of cake and I only had to remove the nuts for the sway bar. Some guys will tell you that you have to remove or disconnect the trailing arms (links).



Also, I have a new set of 305's on the factory wheels. I have not experienced any rubbing at all. I did some research into the leveling kit (coils VS spacers) and I concluded that for such a heavy truck, coil springs is the only way to go. I got mine from rocky mountain suspension for around $135.



I hope this helps.



Sam

 

[damon]

Thanks for the feedback guys, this is what I was hoping to hear.



So I've heard of 2 instances of success, and 1 instance of this noise problem in the front. It's not quite enough to give me that warm fuzzy about spending the $$ and lifting the brand new truck, but I'll probably try it soon anyway.



Anybody else have any info or experience with the '02 ?



Damon

 

[cmckinney]

I've had the vibration issue but I did figure out that it was the flap under the radiator that was causing the vibration at 70mph. When I would hit a slight bump or speed up the vibration would go away for a second. The SkyJacker coils are a good choice.



When I installed the coils I did unbolt the links b/c it was the easiest way to pull out and put in the coils without a coil compressor. But to each their own. Good luck.



-CM

 

[Seed Guy]

Ive posted this before but i dont know where the original thread is. Some people have reported that the vibration is a result of changed aerodynamics and the black plastic bit on the front bumper vibrating. Its worth a look if you have a problem.

 

[cmckinney]

I don't have the front air dam on my truck so I know it's not this.



I know now that it is my driveshaft. I took it off this weekend and went to 100mph. No driveshaft = no vibration below 90mph. I get alot of vibration b/c of the engine working so hard.



I think my fix will be to put a angled shim in the back of my truck on the spring pack and this should give my front drive shaft a better angle.



-CM

 

[RO'neal]

Originally posted by cmckinney

I don't have the front air dam on my truck so I know it's not this.



I know now that it is my driveshaft. I took it off this weekend and went to 100mph. No driveshaft = no vibration below 90mph. I get alot of vibration b/c of the engine working so hard.



I think my fix will be to put a angled shim in the back of my truck on the spring pack and this should give my front drive shaft a better angle.



-CM

Adding a shim to the rear differential will only change the angle of the rear differential, it will do nothing for the front. If you noticed a difference w/out the driveshaft I would take the driveshaft to have the balance checked out. Sounds more like the problem to me. You can run up to a 6" lift on these Rams w/no driveshaft mods 95% of the time.

 

[cmckinney]

The reasoning behind the shim is to lift the back of the truck up so that the x-fer case will point down at the axle. So this would decrease the angle of the drive shaft.



Shoot a picture of your drive shaft to see what the U-joint angles look like. And remember my drive shaft always spins you truck has the disconnect.



I may also get my drive shaft balanced. I'll see which is less expensive.



-CM

 

[RO'neal]

Originally posted by cmckinney

The reasoning behind the shim is to lift the back of the truck up so that the x-fer case will point down at the axle. So this would decrease the angle of the drive shaft.

Not trying to insult your intelligence but, the way a shim works is that is rotates the differential by pushing the back down and lifting the front. It doesn't necessarily "lift" the truck. At most it would only lift the truck 1/4" - 1/2" tops.

 

[cmckinney]

I understand. Either with a block or shim the back of the truck needs to be higher to bring it back closer to the stock drive line angles.



-CM

 

[Billy Diesel]

Some early '02s still have the central-axle-disconnect. Look for a box hanging off the back side of the axle tube on the passenger side. There will be vacuum line(s) and wires leading from it. Pros of the c-a-d:

1. You can run a front LSD

2. You don't have to get out of the vehicle to lock hubs (Personally, this is a con)

3. No front end binding on the street



cons:

1. Weaker because the axle shaft is cut in half, and one side is drilled slightly

2. Allows used of sealed hub assemblies that are friggin' expensive to replace.

3. Will not engage if vacuum line gets cut.



Back to the main subject.....

Good rule of thumb: Any nuances with the truck will only become worse when lifted. 2" shouldn't give you a front axle vibration, but it may point out a different weak point, like the changed areodynamics.



I also agree with RO'neal, changing the angle on the rear axle will only affect the rear driveshaft.

 

[markdixon]

Do any of you know of a coil spring spacer that would raise the front of the truck up 1 to 1 1/2 inch dont want the full 2 inchs I tow on a simi regular basis.

 

[RO'neal]

1" Spacers

markdixon-



There is a guy on ebay that makes them. I corresponded with him quite a bit and it sounds like he has a good set up. They are the same design as the Tuff Country spacers (all steel) Here is the link Just send him an email and tell him what you want. He's a real nice guy.



Also, Superlift makes a 3/4 inch spacer that you weld on under the springs.



Hope this helps...



Ryan



EDIT: I added the link above...

 

[markdixon]

Can you email me the web adds my computer is sick and I cant link over to other web pages

 

[RO'neal]

markdixon-



I just sent you a PM with the info...