Skyjacker 4 1/2" lift.

[FFL8N]

I was told by a sales person that they have been having trouble with the 4 1/2 inch lift. They said that the lift has a tendancy to settle about 2 inches in a short period of time. Any of you out there with this lift? Have you had any problems and how long have you had the lift. Also, how do you like it? How does your truck handle? What size tires did you stuff under it? How has your MPG suffered to the change in tires? Any other input would be greatly appreciated? Anyone with any other brand name lift?

David

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2000 Dodge Cummins Diesel
6 sp manual, every option except automatic and sports package!! SnugTop Shell and Professional FireFighter License Plates. (To match my Flame Red Truck of course!!)

 

[DHRA]

The only two inches I've settled is from doing burnouts and losing tread. I run 36" Swamper Radials and the only problem I have is the front drive shaft angle. I just had mine re-built because the CV joint was worn the spring behind the CV was broken and the U-joint was cracked. Something about excessive torque (no such thing) or something like that. Too many projects, so little money... .



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Eric
GLTDR

 

[Snyder-00]

If you already have the Skyjacker kit and settling has occured, maybe you could put your stock springs back in and get the 5 1/2" spacer from Tuff Country. I'm sure the spacers by themselves won't break the bank and they cant settle. With only 1" diffrence in Skyjackers and Tuff Country, (4 1/2- 5 1/2) all the geometry sould be o. k. I use Tuff Country and aside from snapping the track bar drop bracket, the kit has been trouble free. I just got a D. T. products track bar to eliminate the drop bracket, and I've seen Skyjackers drop bracket fail also. So which ever kit you go with, you might want to purchase a D. T. track bar for peace of mind. Hope this helps.

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1999 Cummins powered quad cab Ram, black sport,4x4,4. 10. s,5-speed,everything but leather,stock and staying that way!

 

[Archive]

Originally posted by Stack'd-n-Jack'd:
The only two inches I've settled is from doing burnouts and losing tread.

<font color=blue>For my own curiosity, and to benifit the rest of the people interested in this post, how long have you had the lift installed on your truck?

 

[Glen Pratt]

I have the 4. 5" Skyjacker double-flex system in my truck. I've had it installed for two years and have had no problems whatsoever. I'm running 36. 0"x14. 5"x16. 5" Super Swamper radials. The only bad thing I can say about it is the red powdercoating on the front suspension pieces hasn't held up too well, the paint on the rear leaf springs started getting ugly immediatley, and the Nitro shocks started rusting slightly. Nothing that a little paint in the spring won't take care of. My truck rides way better than stock, and is very stable. Fuel mileage dropped a couple miles per gallon because of the tires, I have 4. 10 gears. I'm very pleased with my lift kit. I wish I could say the same about my Super Swamper radials. I had three tires come apart in the tread area. They were replaced under warranty, but I had to pay shipping to return my old tires, not cheap. The fourth tire from my original set seemed to wear way faster than the rest. Maybe I just got a crappy set, I don't know. My replacement tires are holding up so far. I think my next tires will be Denham Ground Hawg radials. I would definitely recommend the Skyjacker system. Also Superlift is coming out with a 5" lift kit for 3/4 ton gas or diesel trucks that is supposed to be available now. There is a company called Whiplash Performance that is coming out with a 10" supsension lift kit for Dodge trucks this month. Their website is www.whiplashperformance.org . No pictures of the Dodge lift, but their Chevy lift looks very beefy and well engineered. -Glen



[This message has been edited by Glen Pratt (edited 01-09-2001). ]

 

[Davey]

Glen, ask snyder about the ground hawgs before you purchase them. He didn't have good luck with them, but maybe he just got a bad set.

 

[DHRA]

Kat, I have had the kit on for over a year, about 35,000 miles.
I have the same tires as you Glen, I had two of them split and replaced under warranty. I am searching out tires now and the Mickey Thompson Bajb belted hp are rated for 112 mph, and they are nicer, the swampers haven't been too bad in wear for me, but the are dangerous on wet pavement. I am really leaning to the Mickey's, now the trick is to find a good price on them!
I painted my whole lift kit because the red clashed with the green truck.
I too had to replace the track arm, sorry I didn't post that earlier.
David, if I had it to do all over again, I'd get the Tuff Country, with a replacement track arm. My two choices were the skyjacker and the Dick Cepek which was incredibly pricy.
So noone else is having a problem with the front drive shaft rattling hard in 4 hi?

 

[Snyder-00]

If you tow anything, stay away from all C rated tires, (Hawgs, Swampers, Mickys, etc. ) There are D or E rated tires available by Swamper, the TSL S/X, TSL, and even a 35" Bogger. I use 37" Good Year M/T Hummer tires and they are holding up great. C rated tires are about maxed out with just the weight of our trucks, my Hawgs came apart with just 600mi. of towing. Heavier rated tires are more expensive but money well spent. "so much is riding on your tires" right! I hope this helps. Tyres Internationals site shows which tires are 10 plys, click on tire specs, and Interco tires site also shows ply ratings. The 37-12. 50-16. 5 Radial SSR is suppose to be D rated. Please be careful!

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1999 Cummins powered quad cab Ram, black sport,4x4,4. 10. s,5-speed,everything but leather,stock and staying that way!

 

[BigUgly]

I too am thinking about a 4. 5 or 5 inch lift. The tires stumped me untill I hit on sumething that might be what I need. Firestone super all tractions at 36 inchs tall on a 17. 5 inch rim, these tires look like Hawgs and are load range E at something like 4200 lbs capability (or something like that). These might be a way to go??????
Josiah

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YP of SETDR
Y2K 2500, 4X4, Auto, Quad Cab, SWB, 4. 10, Black. VA Box, Line-X, PE Roll top bed cover, Stainless add-ons. Jardine 4".

 

[EarthRoamer]

I had a Skyjacker 4 1/2" Stage II lift and 36" Michelin XZL military tires installed on my truck last November, and I'm happy with both. The Skyjacker shocks were junk, so I replaced them with Bilsteins, but the lift is well made. Check out the links below to my web site for more info.

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Link to Skyjacker 4 1/2" stage II Lift

Link to Michelin XZL Tires

Bill Swails
EarthRoamer.com


[This message has been edited by EarthRoamer (edited 01-11-2001). ]