Off Roading Skyjacker 4.5" lift

[mholm]

im looking to replace my rancho kit with the skyjacker 4. 5" kit. i was wondering what the difference is between the class 1 and class 2 kits. i drive on the street the majority of the time and only wheel in the sand about 6 times a year. i want a new spring pack, not blocks. does the class 2 kit come with rear springs? i was also wondering if 36. 5x14. 5-16. 5 Parnelli Jones Dirt Grips wil fit once the new kit is installed.

Thanks

 

[KevinO]

The class 2 comes with upper control arms also there is a single and double flex kit also where they have heim joints at either or both ends of the control arms for extra flex. You can also buy the kit or system the kit has a add a leaf and system has new rear springs. Not sure if it will get rid of the block though. I am taking my 4. 5" kit off and putting a 7" on. You might be able to buy seperate components cheaper. www.texastrucktoys.com is where i bought my stuff. Right now i am just getting the 7" coils and 6" atlas springs in the rear. I have the DT trac bar and am keeping the SJ control arms till i see how the ride is with them. i might get the Dick Cepek long arm kit. If you have any more questions i will be glad to try to help. Those tires should fit i have the 37x12. 50r16 PJ's on now they rub slightly when i am flexing. You will really like those tires just keep them aired down so they are not riding on the centers only.

 

[mholm]

I thought that the difference between the class 1 and 2 kits is that the class 2 kit comes with dual front shocks. Also, how is the ride with this kit?

 

[KevinO]

Yes i left out the dual shock kit in front. It is a bouncy ride but i really didn't notice much if any from the stock ride. I have the nitro shocks on mine. I will be going with a different shock when i put the new coils on cause the nitro's will not be long enough. I am still undecided what kind to go with because i would like a little smoother ride.

 

[mholm]

Which kit will have a smoother ride? Also, how long should it take to install one of these kits with new rear springs?

 

[KevinO]

IMO the Dick Cepek long arm kit would be a better ride because the arms are not at such an angle and have more ability to travel. The setup does take some time but I had a couple buddies help and it took about a day and a half i didn't have everything i needed setup. The rear springs are just as easy to replace as adding a leaf. Just make sure you put the top bolt on the shackle in the rear before trying to reinstall them. You will need a torx 65 bit to take off the rear springs. Make sure you mark the camber adjustment too on the front before unbolting anything mine still drove straight when i put everything back together so i didn't need to get an alignment. Get some big jackstands so you can just lower the axles down to get the springs into place.

 

[lrox]

I have the 4. 5 class 1 kit in my 01. 5. The ride is pretty bouncy with 315/75/16 pro comp a/t's. the rear of the truck seems to be the worst. I plan on taking it out, and replacing with a leveling kit because I'm using it for plowing. good luck! Brian

 

[How'dHeDoThat]

ROUGH "DONKEY" RIDE

I have the Skyjacker 4. 5 with dual shocks and it is a rough ride!!!!

I also run the 36x14. 5x16. 5 PARNELI JONES TIRES... GREAT TIRES and a HUGE improvement over the Super Swampers I took off and sold!



What do I think? stay with the tires... good choice! But go with the Kelderman Airride system... Ok so it costs more. . YOUR KIDNEYS WILL THANK YOU Oo.



James

 

[mholm]

It is a little too late to go with the air ride setup. the skyjacker should be here tomorrow. i went with the class one which only has the single shock up front. i was told that this setup has a better ride than the class 2. is this true? how long should the install take. i plan on doing installing it this weekend.

 

[How'dHeDoThat]

I really don't know if the class 1 is less abrasive on the kidneys or not..... sorry. I am sure you will love the lift and the tires.



I will concur that the longer arms may be a good idea as I have some serious rub even with some mild trimming. It rubs at full lock and can be dealt with a change in drive habits.



Gotta remember that the 36's are a full 2" wider than the 37's. I, of course like the wide stance.



I also cannot elaborate on the labor as I had the kit professionally installed.



Enjoy



James

 

[MCummings]

http://www.texastrucktoys.com/new_product.html



I was going to put these on my truck. It has the SkyJacker Class 2 4. 5" Kit. Think they will help the ride?



I'm hoping they will hlep the ride out. Along with some better shocks front and rear, and I have got to do something with the rear-end. It's killin me. Rides like a 3-ton military truck.



I want some soft shocks,, enough to keep me from bouncin' but, something that will soak up bumps. Maybe I should just contact t-rex ? I think a T-Rex/Dick Cepeck/Kelderman kit would be awesome.



Merrick

 

[How'dHeDoThat]

HEY MERRICK!!!



Why not hybrid a suspension... . We have been doing it on turbo's for awhile



I think my truck is rougher than yours though... When you drove me to pick up my truck that day and I got into my truck it was like getting out of a 4x4 and into a military vehicle





James

 

[MCummings]

So, The 4. 5" SkyJacker probably won't work too great with a Dick Cepeck Long Arm Conversion?



Hey James, Hybrid Suspension, hmm, if I had the money I'd by the $3,000 to get a T-Rex, $1,400 for the Dick Cepeck, and $2,700 for the Kelderman.



Donations?



Merrick

 

[How'dHeDoThat]

JUST GO AIR

I have been looking very seriously at full air... .



Like www.airbagit.com



4 link the rear and definately use something like the Cepeck's to aid in the front with full on air.



It is a head scratcher and the full out air system from Kelderman at 4000. 00 for 6" ride height would be much more simplified.



I moved the suspension back down the list for now but don't be too surprised if I pull it off someday...



Till then it's lotto tickets





James

 

[KevinO]

No offense Dl5treez

But do not buy from National Spring they make crap and give you a hard time when trying to order stuff. My personal experience with them on ordering and others experience after they got the product. Do a search on www.pavementsucks.com for more opinions. I just ordered 6" over stock springs from atlas but haven't had a chance to bolt em up yet. I ordered mine thru www.texastrucktoys.com they were real helpful to get me what i needed. They carry allot of products and full suspension systems. I am happy with the 4. 5" SJ I have on the truck now but want it bigger.

 

[mholm]

I installed the lift this weekend. To my surprise, i gained 3 1/2 inches up front and four in the back. This is on top of what i gained from the rancho leveling kit. Does this mean that i have 5 1/2 inches of lift? this thing is huge compared to what it used to be. After i measured the new altitude of my truck, i started wondering if the 36/16. 50-16. 5 Dick Cepek Fun Country's would fit since they fit on the 6" cepek lift. what do you guys think?

 

[XcumminsX]

get some meaty 35's instead

 

[WTBurke]

I put the SJ double-flex on last November and just re-geared to 4:10's two weeks ago. I measured the height from the ground to the lower skirt on the front bumper before I had the work done. After wards I remeasured and found it to be 5 1/2 inches taller. The guys told me it would settle... . well it's been a year now and those powder coated red springs have not moved even a fraction. I like it very much and even lifted... it corners better than it did stock. I was informed by the dudes at 4x4 Wear house that the diesel kits are higher than what is in print.



William

 

[CumminFast]

I called airbagit.com and there prices are really pretty good. For a 6" air ride w/ four link suspension and a good air compressor it would be about $2200. The only thing is I am not sure how it would take to 4x4 launches. 700hp would surely break something. Skyjacker sounds like the best lift for our truck. I know the fabtech lift has blocks in the back and for a price of $1200 that is a rip-off.

 

[How'dHeDoThat]

Remains to be seen but.....

Originally posted by CumminFast

I called airbagit.com and there prices are really pretty good. For a 6" air ride w/ four link suspension and a good air compressor it would be about $2200. The only thing is I am not sure how it would take to 4x4 launches. 700hp would surely break something. Skyjacker sounds like the best lift for our truck. I know the fabtech lift has blocks in the back and for a price of $1200 that is a rip-off.

I would think it would be stronger with 4 link and wheel hop would NEVER be an issue either!



4Link would be like adding ladder bars in effect.



SWEET LINK http://www.mikesfabshop.com/MikesDodge.html



James