Shock, Lift, and Air Bag ?'s

[Chace TX]

I have the highest rated coils on my 2002 but they have been weak since day one. It will bottom out easily, and after installing the Luke's Link on the track bar, the diff cover hits it. I am going to put on a set of Rancho 9000's. Will just the 9000's stop the bottoming and keep the diff off the luke's link? I tow big heavy trailers and want to keep the ride level. If I added 1" coil spring spacer and got the 1" lift Rancho's would it fix my frontend problems? Would it squat noticeably when loaded (currently it sits level when I tow)? I don't want or need a lift, but I don't want the Lukes link hitting, are airbags the best way to level it back out in the rear? Would I be better off to just buy a new track bar and get rid of the Lukes link, NAPA has a lifetime warranty version?

Thanks

 

[Dane]

Shocks will not fix the bottoming problem. If you look at a stock 4x4 Ram there is very little front suspension travel before hitting the bump stops. Best fix imo is the Skyjacker D25 coils cause you get an inch or so more suspension travel with a stiffer spring rate which is just what our 4x4 trucks need in front. I have not hit the bump stops since installing the Skyjacker kit.



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[GiesJ]

The T- Rex system I have is, in my opinion, the best thing one can do to the suspension of our trucks. (a bit pricey though) Kent at T-Rex will custom valve the shocks to your truck and particular application. You get more travel up front and my truck sits level now (approx 2" lift in the front):

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[Chace TX]

Thanks

I checked out the skyjacker kit today, T-rex is wayyyyyy too much, this is towing truck. I am going to try and get skyjacker to sell me just the springs. Still worried about having the front way too high when towing heavy.

 

[y-knot]

Chace,

If you like the ride your truck has now, why not just install a coil spring spacer? They will raise the front two inches and you keep the factory ride. Top off the front end with some descent shocks and you are done of that part of the truck. Spacer is around 150-170 and shock another 75-100 bucks.

For the rear I would suggest going with Air Lifts or Firestone's 5000lb air bag system. You can remove the overloads, which are only good for a rough ride, and install the air bags in there place. The bags can be adjusted to level the truck loaded or not. The big benefit is the very smooth ride you get by removing the overloads, no more springs slapping the overload stops. I have done this mod to my truck and the ride is awesome, the truck is very comfortable loaded or not.

I would not recommend the T-Rex system myself, I think it is way to expensive, and most would never use the suspension mods to there mid to upper limits. More of a Bling, Bling item. Good luck

 

[GiesJ]

Y-knot makes a good point - throw a spacer in the front and bags in the rear and be done with it.



As to the comments about the expense of T-rex, yeah it's spendy but for I guess it depends on what you use the truck for, that first ride down the ranch road, and the first ride on washboard 5" deep and the first ride down two track logging roads still make me chuckle. It is ridiculous how much different the truck is now and I encourage anyone to go for a ride with a T-rex equipped truck before making recommendation statements. I am still impressed with the on-road capability of the system and 60+% of my time I'm off the pavement and am valved as such.



Chance TX - keep us posted on what you decide to do. Good luck,

J

 

[Chace TX]

My thoughts too.

First-

On the T-Rex, I saw a video when they first started talking t-rex on TDR. If money was no object, I would have one on my "play truck" no questions about it, cool demo.

Second-

My first plan was the spacers, rancho 9K's, and firestone bags, I just dont want the "lifted" look. Next question, where to get all this? Send a PM or e-mail if you got a trustworthy vendor and can't post it. I will send a pic of truck and big'o trailer when I get it all done.

 

[Chace TX]

One more ?

Air Lift or Firestone for bags? Why? I will be using without a compressor (trailer I am pulling has compressor on it so adjustments can be made on the road).

 

[ramonram]

front lift

is'nt there another coil option other than skyjacker coil, i am hoping there might be a more like the t-rex coil kent put together, he wont sell just the coil, any advice ? ramonram

 

[kentkroeker]

Gents,



We do sell just the coils now. I've got 150 lonely sets waiting for homes. Our coils differ a lot from the other manufacturers. The other guys use narrow wire and few coils to save money on material. Their "set heights" - the point at which compression will cause the coil to lose resiliency and take a set, is actually above the point at which the truck will bottom on the bump stops. Not good for longevity - just fine if you never work your truck hard though. Our coils are beefy - they weigh about 65 lbs a pair - almost double what the other guys are selling. Our solid and set heights are well below what the geometry of the truck could ever force upon the spring, that's why we guaranty them for life. We also sell our stud ring separately so you can ad our suspension later if you want without pulling the coils again.



We've got lots of new and interesting things going on, so don't hesitate to call - you might be surprised at some of our latest offerings.



Kent Kroeker

T. Rex Engineering

 

[ramonram]

hey kent good news, i'll take a set of springs for 99 3500 4x4. let me know the cost and come on down to palapa wi th me and willie in may,adios Ray. . ramonram

 

[ramonram]

oh ya i want stud ring too, i guess i'm just gonna slowly get me a t-rex set-up, i also e-mailed you, this answers all ? for me , thanks

 

[Chace TX]

T-Rex Coils on the way!

I just talked to Kent and some new front coils are on the way. Will let ya'll know how they work, going with Bilstein's all the way around too.

 

[Chace TX]

Front end is done.

I put the heavy duty T-Rex springs in the front, and installed Bilstein 5100's. Just found out that I installed the shock bushings incorrectly, according to another post in this section. It drives better, rides firm but good and looks like it sits level front to rear when empty, the lift is perfect for me. Hooked up the big trailer this morning and it sits low in the rear. I am still considering air bags, what are some other options? Just want it level with the trailer on. Will send pic to someone if they will post it, I dont have program to resize with.