Skyjacker rear spring problem

[csnider]

Hi,

after savin up some dough I forked out for a skyjacker soft ride system for my 93 4X4. I got the 1" front 1/2" back lift to try to keep it close to stock. I put the fronts on one week then the back leafs on the next. . I had to have a shop press the bushings out of the back ones. Skyjacker knowingly sends them out that way for the 93's and even charges $10 extra for the correct bushings you have to install. Hmmmmm. The rear springs for the 1/2" lift are actually a pair of 6" lift springs . You just install them without the stock lift block. The spring system does give a good ride . My problem is without a load (light enclosed trailer) my right side is 1"+ higher than my left, with a load(200lb tounge) it gets around 1/2" difference. The left side spring sits on the overload all the time the right side has a 1/2" between at empty load. . Both springs are snug down tight to the axle. . I've been hoping the springs would settle but it's been acouple a weeks now and I don't like a crooked truck and it probaly screws with the four wheel alingnment a little having more of a "U" shape spring on one side. . Anyone else experience this with the skyjacker system?. I'm getting ready to just put the original springs back on the rear . I'll miss that soft ride... ... ... . Chuck

 

[Steve Graham]

If you complain to SJ the first thing there going to ask you is have you swapped the rear springs, putting the left on the right and the right on the left. You will need to do this first and when you have them off check the height of the arch of each spring and compare. (Been there done that)If swapping them side to side doesn't fix the problem then I think SJ should replace the springs. They may tell you to add a small block under the spring to adjust the height as was done with the IH Scout's.

I'm surprised that SK is sending a spring for the rear that is 6" over and telling you to eleminate the block. I ordered mine that way from SJ way back in 94 and I was not impressed. Because of the arch and extra length of the springs they would bottom out the shackle and also rubbed on the support, creating a very harsh ride. Maybe they have change the spring over the years?

My $. 02 worth.



Steve

 

[dshockley]

SkyJacker is selling the springs this way. MY dad just ordered a 4" lift for his gasser and it used what was equivalent to about a 6" rear spring eliminating the rear block. (the 4" kit lifts the rear 3") What was your actual lift achieved? I would have thought that your lift spring would have been equivalent to about a 4" spring if used with the block (at least the blocks on all the other trucks that I have seen were around 3"). I think that SJ has gone this route to eliminate pn's by using the same springs in different kits. However the height of the lift on your truck and my dad's make me wonder why we could not have used the springs you have to keep 4" lift and retain the blocks. The greater arch leads to a harsher ride and I don't know why they have chosen to go this route.



Anyway, I would follow the above advice and swap springs and then contact SJ about the problem. To ask an obvious question: It sat level before the lift, right?



Because of the elimination of the rear lift block, I have decided that when I get around to lifting my truck I will be using National springs insted of the softrides!



Good luck

Dan

 

[csnider]

Steve and Dan,

Thanks for the replys, My truck was level side to side but was starting to sag in the front so I thought hell, I'll just get both sets and get a good ride in the process... I'll try the switch first... The front end came up about two inches from the height it had sagged to and the front was level side to side... ... . the back came up about a inch. . In my kit they give you the six inch springs for the back and smaller U bolts to make up for the removal of the block. The truck pretty much sits level front to back and rides real nice with Rancho 9000's . I just want it to be level(side to side) in the back like it was... . I'll try the switch then try SJ ..... Again... ... ..... Thanks... . Chuck