springs

[Archive]

I am looking for some new springs for the front end of my truck... . does anyone have some ideas

I just put a 400lb bumper on my truck so i am trying to compensate for that

thanks guys

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2001 3/4 ton driftwood 24 valve HO 6 speed; straight piped, silencer ring out
BodyGuard front end replacement.
Jason

 

[Archive]

Jason,

If you have a regular cab, the 047 passenger spring and the 048 drivers spring for a QC with the snow plow option will increase the spring rate enough to support the bumper.

An aftermarket alternative is the Skyjacker replacement which is progressively wound to give a better ride. The Skyjacker spring will raise the front end by about 1. 25" with a winch bumper (or about 2" with an OEM bumper). I have these springs on my 1994 2500 with a Reunel bumper and M12000 winch, and they have worked very well for me.

Spring installation note: Install the passenger side spring first!

Dave

 

[Archive]

I have a question for Dave or anyone else. When using the skyjacker spring, what else is required other than the spring itself? Thanks in advance

Craig

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2000, 2500,QC,4x4,white,tow,leather,6 spd,4. 10, 4" exhaust - turbo back, K&N, Balls of steel hitch, line-x bedliner, Autometer Ultralite pyro and boost, Mag Hytec on Dana 80... wouldn't dare add anything to void that good ole DC warranty!

 

[Archive]

I called 4 Wheel Parts today about the SkyJacker lift kit. They told me that the 4 1/2 inch lift has a tendancy to settle about two inches fairly quickly. Does anyone have this lift? Does anyone have a problem with this lift is probably a better question?

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!!)

 

[Archive]

cjohnson,

I got the Skyjacker kit Dave is talking about in '95. It raised the front a good 2". One of this BEST mods I have done to my truck. I hated the nose down look. All that came with the springs were longer shocks. I didn't need to use them. I have heard that they have upgraded the kits since than. I'm not sure whats included now.

FF1607,
Stick with a pair of springs, shocks , and maybe control arms and whatever else is included in a simple leveling kit. You will be satisfied, I was. The 4. 5" kit you are talking about will reguire cutting & rewelding frame parts, and probably longer brake lines, driveshaft spacers ect. Your truck is to new to cut up. You would have warranty problems with the dealer I'll bet too.

"BigBadDodge", a member here is running the Skyjacker 4. 5" flex lift. See below:
http://communities. msn.com/ScottsRam&naventryid=110
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Bill R
94 2500 SLT 4x4 5 Speed, 3. 54 LS, JRE 4" exhaust, Autometer Pyro, Boost & Water temp gauges, Bosch 215 HP injectors, Timing @ 14. 7 º, JRE Stage III #4 plate 270/675, AFC spring kit, Scotty Air, Bully Dog Propane Injection, Roadmaster Active Suspension, Optima Red Tops, Geno`s Exhaust Blanket,Espar Heater (won it!), Synthetic lubes throughout.



[This message has been edited by HEMI®Dart (edited 01-08-2001). ]

 

[Archive]

Thanks Hemi -

Also, what kind of alignment issues did you have after the lift if any? Thanks.

Craig

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2000, 2500,QC,4x4,white,tow,leather,6 spd,4. 10, 4" exhaust - turbo back, K&N, Balls of steel hitch, line-x bedliner, Autometer Ultralite pyro and boost, Mag Hytec on Dana 80... wouldn't dare add anything to void that good ole DC warranty!

 

[Archive]

I did mine myself. I bought the so-called leveling kit from skyjacker. It comes with new coils and 2 shocks and 2 decals. It raised my truck up just a little farther then what I would of liked. However the install was pretty easy. As far as alignment I have put on about 6k and havn't noticed any uneven tire wear. Word of caution when doing the install look at the link arms and you will see an essentic wheel for alignment, don't loosen that end loosen the other end. (oblong washer with marks on it). I think thats why my front end stayed in line. Also a nice tool to have for this would be a lady slipper, 2 if you have them. If you need any more infor. email me for my # and I will be glad to help you out.

 

[Archive]

Craig,

Installing the Skyjacker 2" spring with a heavy winch bumper will not change the alignment much. You should install taller shocks (from Skyjacker or someone else) when the springs are installed. The taller springs will offset the axle by 1/4" to 3/8" toward the driver side. This offset has a negligible effect on steering and handling. The drag link and the toe need to be adjusted, but the caster will remain within spec. Without a heavy bumper, the extra 2" is still OK, but be more aware of the off road cautions.

Off road cautions:
When the axle is racked to the extreme, the extra height can bind the double cardan joint at the transfer case output. Also, the ball joint at the frame end of the track bar WILL eventually be damaged. After several track bar replacements, the DT adjustable bar with the heim joint begins to look attractive.

Dave

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1994 2500HD 4X4 modified for off-road camping
2001 2500 ETH/DEE QC SB 4X4
Fritz's Dodge Ram Tech Page

 

[Archive]

Thanks for all the info Dave, Hemi and Groundpounder. A couple last questions. I think for now I will just go with the springs and shocks. Although the DT track bar sounds interesting. Might be a good idea regardless of lift. How much does this item run and who carries it? And does it require a drop down bracket for a 2" lift, or just the adjustable bar? Also I read that longer trailing(control) arms aren't necessary unless you go with 3" or more. Yet I notice that Skyjacker offers replacement lowers as an option with this kit. What are your thoughts? And finally Dave, what do guys who run 5" kits do about the cardin joint when offroad. I figure if it is a small problem with 2", it must be a bigger one with 5".

Again, thanks a lot for all the help guys.

Craig

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2000, 2500,QC,4x4,white,tow,leather,6 spd,4. 10, 4" exhaust - turbo back, K&N, Balls of steel hitch, line-x bedliner, Autometer Ultralite pyro and boost, Mag Hytec on Dana 80... wouldn't dare add anything to void that good ole DC warranty!

 

[Archive]

cjohnson,

There is good tech & pictures of the DT Heim joint track bar from Fritz's web page. See here: http://www.ecpe.vt.edu/~dfritz/technical/STEERING/trackbar/dt_install.html

You don't need a drop down bracket for the new trackbar. Its fully adjustable. See the pictures of "BigBadDodge" in the my post eariler. He has pictures of the DT bar too.

Going with the upgraded lower contol arms is a good bet. You get a stronger arm and polyurethane bushed ends. Much better the cheap OEM stamped arms with rubber bushings. I replaced my OE upper & lower links with Rancho's 2 years ago. A great improvement. Truck tracks straighter and steers better.

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Bill R
94 2500 SLT 4x4 5 Speed, 3. 54 LS, JRE 4" exhaust, Autometer Pyro, Boost & Water temp gauges, Bosch 215 HP injectors, Timing @ 14. 7 º, JRE Stage III #4 plate 270/675, AFC spring kit, Scotty Air, Bully Dog Propane Injection, Roadmaster Active Suspension, Optima Red Tops, Geno`s Exhaust Blanket,Espar Heater (won it!), Synthetic lubes throughout.



[This message has been edited by HEMI®Dart (edited 01-09-2001). ]

 

[Archive]

Have you thought about using air springs (air bags) for the front of your truck. Firestone and Hellwig make bags for the front of our rams, that way you can customize the extra support or height, and have better support for heavy front loads.

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2001 3500 4x4 H. O. 6 speed 4. 10, SLT, Cab and Chassis, 163" wheelbase western hauler stake bed 3" straight pipe, silencer ring AWOL, boost pyro gauge, K&N, Geno's one touch oil valve, Cobra 29,
ready to bomb
Big Red is ready to roll!