Skyjacker 4.5 and 35's

[GatorRam]

I was just wondering for those of you with this lift and tire combo what kind, if any, loss in MPG and acceleration did you experience when you installed the lift? Also, I'm about to upgrade to a drag comp, Stage II's, and eventually a HX40. Thanks in advance.

Adam

 

[Devildog]

That's the setup I have....

The truck engine is louder and I lost around 2 miles per gallon, more wind load and rubber to push and I have 4:10's.

If your going with a drag comp box and HX-40 you may want to consider at least 3's or the equivalent of DD SuperMentals assuming you have gauges and had transmission work done. I had DD2's and within weeks I was wanting MORE.....

 

[csutton7]

really does it matter---the truck will look awesome and you'll have more power---I don't think you'll notice anything but improvement on moving your rig with that setup---you may or may not lose MPG--depends how you drive---chris

 

[RO'neal]

I can't say about the mpg because I didn't really care at the time and shortly after the lift and tires I added the comp, injectors, exh, intake, etc. But with that said I gained 3 mpg once it was all said and done, and I DON'T baby it. You will be happy with that setup. I get compliments about every time I leave the house.



You can fit a little larger tire with that lift but I like it with the 35s because you can go anywhere offroad without having to worry about rubbing.



My only advice is to determine how big you ultimately want to go so you do it right the first time. Just like any other mod, the coolness wears out after a short time. As much as I love it now, I'm already piecing together everything I need to run 39s for this time next year. I wish I would have gone with the SJ 7" or the DC 6", hind sight...

 

[dlange]

I agree with csutton7, the cool factor far outweighs the mpg factor But I did switch to 4. 10s when I got the 35s

 

[Devildog]

How cool is this.....

I agree with csutton7 as well. .





https://www.turbodieselregister.com/user_gallery/displayimage.php?&photoid=3480&width=0

 

[csutton7]

If I was to do it over I'd go with the Dick Cepek 6" lift--you should look into it---I think it's a much better lift than the SJ 4. 5", as the front control arms are to short---



the second best lift IMO is the skyjacker 7" one where the lower control arm is longer-----good luck... ... ..... chris

 

[GatorRam]

Thanks for all the help guys. I really don't think i'm ever gonna go to a big enough tire to require any more lift than 4. 5". Another thing I'm worried about is how the new tires will look on my 16X8 wheels. Is anyone running this lift/ tire combo on this size wheel? I'm just worried about the 315's looking too narrow with this much lift. Woking on this thing is sooooo addictive and I'm spending way too much$$$ already so I don't want to spend even more on new wheels but at the same time it dosent make much sense to do all of this work if the truck is just gonna turn out looking goofy. I havent seen all of your pics but i'm aiming for something like RO'Neal's or DevilDog's rig. Thanks again.

Adam

 

[csutton7]

www.performancediesel.net for a pic of my truck---get different rims---some shops may not want to mount that tire on stock rims---I have 315's on my stock rims and the company gave me grief(they were concerned about warranty issues--I got them to mount them for me as I told them they were my spares----chris

 

[Clinton]

What amount of lift is required to run 37x12. 50R17s? Thanks.

 

[csutton7]

possibly the 6" Dick Cepek or the Skyjacker 7"---skyjacker came out originally and said you could run 39" or 40" tires, but I've heard this has been adjusted to a smaller tire now, but I don't remember exactly what size----I think Cepek says 38" are ok--





I have 36x14. 50x16. 5 TSL's on with my 4. 5 SJ lift and they rub---chris

 

[kbond]

Originally posted by Clinton

What amount of lift is required to run 37x12. 50R17s? Thanks.

I am running 37X12. 50X16. 5 now with just the SJ 4. 5. Only time I rub is if I come into a driveway real hot at an angle. I agree the short arms create a rougher ride and I will be eventually fabing up a long-arm setup in the front. Personally I think 35"s look a bit small with the 4. 5 and that is why I went with the 37"s.

 

[kbond]

Originally posted by csutton7

possibly the 6" Dick Cepek or the Skyjacker 7"---skyjacker came out originally and said you could run 39" or 40" tires, but I've heard this has been adjusted to a smaller tire now, but I don't remember exactly what size----I think Cepek says 38" are ok--





I have 36x14. 50x16. 5 TSL's on with my 4. 5 SJ lift and they rub---chris

I think your rubbing is because of the 14. 50 width. Also could be your backspacing.

 

[Clinton]

I've heard the SJ double flex stuff is hard on stock bracketry. Is this true? It looks like the Cepek 6" kit supplies new bracketry or some sort of reinforcement stuff for the stock locations. Have you guys running 35"+ tires and lifts at 4. 5" or greater found any stress cracks or failures of you stock brackets? I think that issue concerns me the most about big-time lifts. I'm running levelling coils at the moment, is a double shock bracket kit for the front worth the money? I probably won't go for a big lift anytime soon. Thanks.

 

[csutton7]

kbond--yes it has to do with width--just wanted guys to know---my 35x12. 50x16. 5 don't rub---





Clinton---the SJ lifts(up to 4. 5") do nothing for the stock locations except raise the mounting height of the upper arm on the axle---the 7" system uses a new lower arm frame mount and longer(45" +/-) lower arm and I think you mount the new slightly longer upper arm on the frame where the OEM lower arm mounts



the DC lift uses two new longer arms mounted with new bracketry on the frame(46" +/-) but I think they use the stock axle mounts---check it out--



http://performancelifts.com/cgi-bin/cart/20-2005.html





I am in the process of making new arms--actually have the two lower arms done and am 1/2 done with the uppers, but you need to do some hacking of OEM mounts and fabbing of new mounts to make everything work--plus there could be other issues depending on what you use for ends----chris

 

[Devildog]

Actually it's a pain in the ass to climb in the truck, I have 4 children the oldest is going to be 8. I have to give everyone a boost now, including my wife. I almost regret installing the lift but, It looks great and when your in the truck you can see almost everything.

 

[dlange]

Chrisl would you consider making 2 sets I to have notice the arms are to short. Let me know how you are doing it and maybe I could make my own. Thanks, Dave

 

[csutton7]

www.rockequipment.com for parts-call Tony he sells the arms as a pkg deal, you need to tell him the length from eye to eye and he cuts the DOM accordingly--



1. 75 x . 250 DOM tubing X you need to decide how long



7/8" x 3/4" heim and tube adapters



my lower fronts are 55" from eye to eye --I had some brackets made that I welded to the frame where it's already boxed



the upper fronts I'm still trying to figure out, but most likely will be 50"+



you will need some 7/8x14 taps for left hand & right hand or at least I did after you weld the tube adapters in the DOM tube



you will need some bushings 3/4"od x ??? x 2. 5" long(9/16" bolt maybe--(I forgot to measure the OEM bolts at the lower axle mount-you will need to reuse these) for the axle connection points--- 3/4" bolts, washers and nuts for the frame mounts--possibly lots of washers---chris

 

[RO'neal]

Originally posted by kbond

I am running 37X12. 50X16. 5 now with just the SJ 4. 5. Only time I rub is if I come into a driveway real hot at an angle. I agree the short arms create a rougher ride and I will be eventually fabing up a long-arm setup in the front. Personally I think 35"s look a bit small with the 4. 5 and that is why I went with the 37"s.

Before I lifted mine I thought the same thing. But after wheeling it hard I wouldn't want anything bigger. If your 37s rub going into a driveway they will definitely rub offroad, that's why I wouldn't go that route. If you don't wheel the truck at all it's not a big deal I guess. I'm in the process of going up a few more inches so I can go to 38-39s.

 

[kbond]

Originally posted by RO'neal

Before I lifted mine I thought the same thing. But after wheeling it hard I wouldn't want anything bigger. If your 37s rub going into a driveway they will definitely rub offroad, that's why I wouldn't go that route. If you don't wheel the truck at all it's not a big deal I guess. I'm in the process of going up a few more inches so I can go to 38-39s.

Fronts are the only area that would rub. I don't rubicon my truck so I am not looking for 750+ on the RTI but I am still confident with upper and lower adj. control arms I could be real close to full articulation with minimal rub. 38-39's are some big meats to try and clear with any lift. That's unless your planning on carving with the sawsall.