Off Roading Subframes and lift on '93

[sparks57]

I am currently planning on some suspension work for my truck. I already have the 6" lift (not installed yet), but I want to go a couple inches higher.



Darrin (aka "Cummins2Go) has a really jacked up dodge like mine, and he used a 3" subframe to add some lift to the front.



Are there any objections to this lifting technique? I would think that as long as some common sense and good welding are involved, it would be fine.



I want to clear 38x15. 50r16. 5 ssr swampers, I was thinking 8" of lift would be just right, and since the 6" lift settles to 5" (according to skyjacker) then a 3" subframe would be just right. I have no problem cutting out the fenders a little. The truck will be used for some 'wheeling so I want descent tire clearance.



What is your guys' opinions?

 

[CRSmith]

By subframe, do you mean some kind of body lift?

 

[sparks57]

Nope, look here:



https://www.turbodieselregister.com/user_gallery/displayimage.php?&photoid=953&width=0

 

[CRSmith]

Oh. That's what I plan to do to my toyota to make it a solid front axle, and ditch the ifs. I've heard it called a drop hanger. I don't see a problem with it. Just gusset, gusset, gusset.

 

[Hutchew]

What are you planning for the rear? Longer shackles, or another subframe to drop the top pivot?

 

[sparks57]

Not sure yet. Probably another subframe to match the front. I have a pretty good idea for what I want to do.



I even made a little mock up of it to test out in one of my engineering labs... . I love college!



I just wish someone made taller than 6" springs for our trucks.



I'm sure I could get custom springs... but those would be pretty pricey I'm sure.

 

[cguthrie]

you should look into the price of custom made springs you might be surprised at the price. There really not that bad.



Chris

 

[sparks57]

I have been looking for someone who would bend springs like that... do you know of any places online where I could find some kind of ballpark estimate?



For us young guys who want to go sky-high... 6" just isn't enough!

 

[Hutchew]

Won't a spring with that much arch ride rough?

 

[cguthrie]

I'm not sure of any places where your located but i know theres a place in Portland OR that builds custom springs and i think theres some Custom spring companies in the 4wd magazines. You would probably have to call them to get an estimate.





Chris

 

[sparks57]

Thanks, I'll look into it.



Hutchew, yeah springs with more arch will ride rougher, because they are more verticle... but I'm not looking for a whole lot more than 6", so it shouldn't be too much.



I couldn't imagine how useless those trucks are with the 15" springs. The suspension would be so stiff the truck would be useless...

 

[MMiller]

Bad thing about more arch is less suspension travel. The flatter the leafs the more compression and droop you can get. The subframe looks good, helps with drive shaft angels. Maybe in the rear just do a shackle flip, and a small lift block(1-2")? My brothers 79 shortbed(Dodge) has a 5. 5" skyjacker lift and a 3" body lift. He runs 44" boggers on it. Keep in mind we did ALOT of fender trimming, but the truck has the tall tires AND lower center of gravity. Flexes pretty good too. His truck is just for off roading.



Just throwing some ideas out. My 90 is gonna be my off road truck too, I want to run some 39" boggers or so. If you look at my pics, my 90 has a 4" lift(don't know what kind, bought it that way) and it has 33" swamper bias on it now with no problems with clearance.



Michael

 

[sparks57]

Thanks for the info, how much will a shackle reversal lift the rear? Also, how much more would an add-a-leaf give?

 

[MMiller]

I think a shackle flip should get you about 4 inches. Maybe somebody else can chime in that is for sure. I have never used add-a-leafs so I won't be able to tell you.



Michael

 

[RCCola]

my 2c

I think the sub frame would be a good cheep way to get a little lift,

If you or your buddy is a skilled welder.

My only question is how does it affect the caster(or is it camber) of the front end?

with lowering the front spring hangers 3"???? Would it return to center as well? Drives haft would lie it but what other problems?

If my d350 (2x)ever needs ball joints again it WILL get a cross member, some leaf springs and a 60



Big tires and little lift is cool if you are willing to hack

Buddy's 87 Blazer 4" lift 44 Boggers Worked real well



Guy in NC is running 2 1/2 fronts 6" rears and Q buck shots (36" I think) wiht some fender triming looks sharp!





On a spring company option

Try Alcan spring in Grand Junction

1-888-321-0870 www.alcanspring.com



They should be able to make you a good riding big lift set

I priced a set of rear scout springs about 3 months ago $185 each



Big dodge springs are probably more but give'm a shout



They took good care of me. It took 3 times to get my front worked out right. 1st set way to soft, second set 2 rides they layed down, 3d set got 3 years of hard riding out of them.



Just curies why 16. 5 tires and rims????

Not much / any bead for air down. If you get off set rims you won't have to grind on 15"ers and have much better beads. Or 16's are a ok to



Have a Great Day

 

[sparks57]

I've decided not to lift my truck much. I want to pull sleds, and lift is really hard on the drivetrain when pulling.



I think I might just go for leveling springs.



I know 16. 5" rims suck, so I'm not gonna mess with them.

 

[JBurghard]

If you want to try something take a look at this link



http://ramchargercentral.com/rcclift.shtml

 

[Mopar_Mudder]

I'm a little late on this thread, but any ways.



While doing what you call a "sub frame" will work, I would only do it on a strickly off road truck. What was done to extend the back of the spring down? If nothing your alighnment is all screwed up and you have to shim the front axle which is another problem. If you extend the rear shackles you are looking for trouble with side loads on the springs wanting to bend the extended shackles over, this is a big issue on the front suspension.



Also what are you going to do about the front drive shaft. When you go 6" or over you are going to have problems with the CV joint blowing out on the front shaft, anything over 4" is generaly a problem. I have 6" lift springs in the front of my 83 (same as your 93), that plus some other mods made for about 7" of suspension lift. With that I had to rotate the the knuckles on my axle 10 degrees in order to get some sort of decent drive shaft angle to get the drive shaft to work. Even with that I still had problems with CV joints and ended up getting rid of the CV joint and running 1410 u-joints on both ends of the front shaft.



If you want to fit 38. 5's here is what you do:

4" Suspension Lift

3" Body Lift

Bushwacker Cut Out Flares



I ran this combo for about 4 years with great results and no tire rubs.





For the guy that wants to run the 39. 5 Boggers:

6" Suspension lift (mine is actualy 7")

3" Body Lift

Bushwacker Cut Out

A custom 4" front suspension to keep the tires from riping the wheel wells of when the suspension compresses.

Oh and cross over steering



I have been running this combo for 2 years and man it works good a flexes good also. I ran it with out the 4 link once and it was a bad day. Need 2 new fender flares and some sheet metal fixin now.

 

[jayhawktrailers.com]

MY budd had alcan do a set of springs for his Scout 800 (with a 4bt ) and they worked awesome for him. If youwant 16. 5s with beadlocks check out some hummer wheel's. The offset will be wrong for what you need but they are weld in center that allow you to set you own back spacing. Some sites to check are Rockstomper they have the wheel centers. USA 6x6 has both the wheels and centers, and they can weld them up with your backspacing. btw hummer beadlocks are one of the only street legal beadlocks