Skyjacker coil installation

[Kalaehina]

Going to get leveling coil from Skyjacker, any tips for installation? Do's and don'ts? Any advice will be greatly appreciated. Thanks

 

[Rob Thomas]

It's a simple install really, just unbolt the sway-bar, the lower shock bolt, and lower the axle, yank out the old one and replace.



Later, Rob

 

[Kalaehina]

Thanks dude, I can't wait to do the coil swap.

 

[jerryrigg]

Do you want to change the spring rate up front or just level the truck? If all you want to do is level it you might want to check out superlift. They do a coil spacer instead of replacing your coil so you keep your orginal springs/spring rate. Install procedures are the same.



http://www.superlift.com/dodge1.htm



Just my 2 cents

-Matt

 

[jerryrigg]

I just found this in the photo album



https://www.turbodieselregister.com/user_gallery/displayalbum.php?&albumid=215



something to consider

 

[Rob Thomas]

Screw those spacers, they're illeagal in some states, and not a safe option. Why dont you spacers guys just instsall coils in the first place, and be done with it? Using Spacers, is the same as using blocking, not safe. If you wanna use them fine, just don't try to sell 'em off to some unsuspecting member.



There is less than $60 differance between the two, it makes zero sence to use spacers, zero!



Later, Rob

 

[Roger rodbolt]

Guess something is wrong with my truck....

My front spacers are holding up just fine... ... ...come to think of it the OEM spacers on the rear axle are still working also.

 

[TomGolden]

Originally posted by jerryrigg

I just found this in the photo album



https://www.turbodieselregister.com/user_gallery/displayalbum.php?&albumid=215



something to consider

That's my truck, and it's a good thing jerryrig pointed it out for anyone who may be doing a front end lift/leveling, either doing it themselves or having someone else do it, as I did.



If all you are doing is swapping the coils, it should not be an issue. The problem I had, which is illustrated in the pictures at the link above, I had a full lift kit installed, which included all 4, fully adjustable control arms. The shop that did my install (actually the young kid who did the work) had obviously never done a lift before, and he didn't realize that you need to adjust the control arms to make sure the front axle is properly centered after everything is installed. (Hint for the kid who did my install - that's why the control arms are adjustable!!) As can be seen in the pictures, he did not do so on my truck. The axle was waaaaaaaay far forward and it caused the front sway bar end links to be in contact with the coil springs. The axle is also way too far to the passengers side of the truck also. But that is a function of the DT Trac Bar also not having been properly adjusted, which I had installed at the same time as the lift kit.



I put the frame up on jack stands and adjusted all 4 control arms myself to get the axle back where it belongs. Now I need to do same to realign the axle for left-right.



Tom

 

[TomGolden]

By the way, here's a thread that shows what Godzilla looks like after the Skyjacker 2 1/2" lift was installed.



https://www.turbodieselregister.com/forums/showthread.php?threadid=40592



Tom

 

[Rob Thomas]

Re: Guess something is wrong with my truck....

Originally posted by Roger rodbolt

My front spacers are holding up just fine... ... ...come to think of it the OEM spacers on the rear axle are still working also.

I'm not gonna' argue with ya Roger, you do what you want. I'm just making the other guys aware of the "facts", you chose to ignore.



BTW, why would you use spacers? Whats the point?

Not tryin' to start a war, just curious is all. Spacers dont increase spring travel, they're not that much cheaper, nor easier to install, and they are not leagal in many states, so what are the "good" points?





Later, Rob

 

[jerryrigg]

Re: Re: Guess something is wrong with my truck....

Rob-



I too am not starting a war here. I offered an option to someone trying to "level their truck", he didn't say he was building a rock crawling machine where suspension travel is critical. Your right about not being much cheaper nor easier to install. As far as being illegal, I'm gonna have to call you on that one. "Lift Blocks" attached to the axel is illegal in many states and down right dangerous. The coil spacers are placed in the upper tower thus do not suffer the g-forces or torque during turns that axle mounted blocks suffer. This is why no manufacturer sells front lift blocks, it's illegal and dangerous. I do not know of any state that upper spacers are illegal in fact they are OEM on some trucks, but I don't live in every state either. As far as advantages go you retain your orginal spring/spring rate (many aftermarket kits have lower spring rates) and if your out in the dirt and break a spring the new one is as close as the dealer. I myself buy springs custom from Southern CA, if I break one at home in WY I'm SOL until UPS shows up. But in the end all arguements aside, it is the decision of the guy spending the money.



-Matt

 

[Rob Thomas]

Matt,



I is a fact that MI, the state I live in, coil spacers are ILLEAGAL. However, the book I read the laws in stated many other states, are also affected. My advise is to check your own state before you puchase them, 'cause I can't seem to locate the 4-wheel mag that the information was in.



Nontheless, if you break a spring, do you really think the dealer will have one in stock? Lift-pumps are a daily fault, and they don't even stock them, do you know how many different spring #'s there are for the Dodge line?



Later, Rob

 

[Rob Thomas]

Another member found the artical, December '00 Peterson's 4-wheel and off-road. Thanks again Steve.





Later, Rob





BTW Matt,



I don't take my $40,000 truck on rock crawlin' expiditions either. I do take it off-road regularly tho, and with an 1100# engine + the other weight of the front end, I bottomed the front constantly, even on the slightest bumps, before the 2. 5" spring install.

 

[jerryrigg]

Hey Rob what is up with Michigan...



I was doing some checking apparently while you were posting, I even went out to measure my truck.....



Sure enough the spacers are illegal in MI, but from what I found the other 49 allow them.



The suspension in my '01 3500 is stock, it is also illegal in MI, it has OEM 5" lift blocks under the rear springs... MI laws says max 4" lift blocks between spring and axle... . Guess I better avoid the Great Lakes in my 3500... maybe we'll meet in another state some day.



Oh well, live and learn that's why we exchange info here

 

[Rob Thomas]

Jerry,



I think 'cause our MI roads suck so bad, they're may have been instence's, but I don't know, our roads do suck tho. I also dont think you have anything to worry about with the cops, 'cept maybee if your in an accident and they happen to see them. My point is/was that they are not as safe as coil lift, and to me there are no benifits at all, to have the spacer. As far as the rear blocks go, thats somethin' I can't explain or understand. I will be buildin' a full air-ride set-up for the rear, hopefully this winter, and the blocks will be history.



The ONLY reason I can think of why DC used the rear blocks, is for ride comfort. If they made an arched spring to accomidate the hieght instead, it would ride like hell. IMO



Later, Rob

 

[jerryrigg]

Rob-



Why full air bag suspension. My 2 cents says that is a lot of extra work as you need to basically convert to a 4-link suspension. I really like 4-link setups but I think it would be overkill on my 3500. Myself I'm planning on replacing the blocks with a custom spring pack with a lighter more progressive spring rate. This will help the 3500 ride better empty on and off road and maintain axle position. Of course with the torque of the CTD and my upcoming bombs I'll add track-bars to prevent spring wrap. For towing and heavy loads I've located some 16K pound air bags to install and keep it level and comfortable.



-Matt

 

[Rob Thomas]

Matt,



Why, you say? Probobly the same reason I have 5" stacks WITH a dump-bed, just to be differant, thats all. I love fabrication, and the end result's that go with it. At first I was gonna' go with the 4-link, but I have since changed my mind, and have another plan instead.





Later, Rob