t-rex engeneering leveling kits

[blake underwood]

A GROUP PURCHASE might make the T. REX suspension a little less expensive?

Maybe, Maybe NOT?

 

[LightmanE300]

I'm not sure but the price is the only thing holding me back at this point. I just think it's too expensive for what I need. I probably realistically just need a better set of shocks or maybe the 2" leveling kit. .

 

[Ol'TrailDog]

Thats it! LightmanE300 you got the general idea. :-laf

 

[Greg Boardman-RIP]

A GROUP PURCHASE might make the T. REX suspension a little less expensive?

Maybe, Maybe NOT?

Well from what I do know about shocks and springs I will give you a price if I were to build it myself.



Front Fox Remote res 2. 5" racing shock $1100 retail

Fox rear piggyback 2. 5" racing shock $ 900 retail.

Thats each!!!

Deaver rear springs $ 900

Front coil, if you can find one this good, $500

Bump stops or limit straps $ 80



So that is $2200 front

$1800 rear

$1400 for springs

$80 for limits



Total: $5480 for the same setup. Oh I almost forgot all the R&D you will have to do to fine tune your shock, the billit shock towers, and the good Idea in the first place. Not to mention putting some $35 aftermarket shocks and some crappy sacked out SJ springs on the front of a $40K truck. I think if you look at it from this angle you will see what a good deal $3500 is!



Greg

 

[LightmanE300]

Or I could just continue to drive and enjoy my truck stock for $0 since I do no offroading. Greg you have to consider you use your truck in the most extreme terrain that most of us road riders never encounter. Those 'cosmetic' skyjacker kits etc and clearing tires are honestly all that most of us need. I will probably do a leveling kit and call it a day. I'd probably spend 1500 on a bilstein t-rex setup, just not 2500.

 

[onesloryd]

Greg,

Just curious where got the prices for the shocks?

I didn't think T-Rex was supplying a complete new leaf pack unless I am missing something.

Matt

 

[Diesel Dan]

Lightman,

I have been running my T-rex/Bilstein setup for 4 months now and have been delighted. I know exactly the terrrain Greg gets to play in and it is fun. I just don't get to go their often. Stuck in the city building a small business. This system works for me every day of my life protecting my backside from every bump in the road. The best way i can describe is is that it "Eats up every bump and never gets full". I just sold my 01 CTD last week and my 89 resides with my neighbor nextdoor. I have reworked the suspension on all 3 of these trucks. The ride has improved dramatically since the first gens. My 01 was light years ahead of my 89 in terms of wheel travel and suspension compliance and my 03 w/ Trex blows my 01 out of the water. I spent almost as much money tinkering on my 01's suspension as i paid for my 03's T-rex. The steet ride on this truck is amazing and i use it everyday. Most of us buy these trucks for the long haul so why not get the benifits of this daily. I imagine you have a few pot holes that you could do without.



The quality of the T-rex components tells me that they will last a very long time and if i ever sell this truck the Trex will be comming with me to the next truck.



This stuff is cheap if you look at the whole long term picture/benifits.



Take a look at my Readers rigs to see the trucks i am talking about.



Best regards





DD

 

[LightmanE300]

Man are you guys killing my checking account :{ :-laf



I was hoping I wouldn't break down and just have to have one, but damn it all, that truck looks so sweet Dan. You personally ruined me with those pics. I need one now. . :-laf

 

[SAvery]

Lightman,

I have been running my T-rex/Bilstein setup for 4 months now and have been delighted. I know exactly the terrrain Greg gets to play in and it is fun. I just don't get to go their often. Stuck in the city building a small business. This system works for me every day of my life protecting my backside from every bump in the road. The best way i can describe is is that it "Eats up every bump and never gets full". I just sold my 01 CTD last week and my 89 resides with my neighbor nextdoor. I have reworked the suspension on all 3 of these trucks. The ride has improved dramatically since the first gens. My 01 was light years ahead of my 89 in terms of wheel travel and suspension compliance and my 03 w/ Trex blows my 01 out of the water. I spent almost as much money tinkering on my 01's suspension as i paid for my 03's T-rex. The steet ride on this truck is amazing and i use it everyday. Most of us buy these trucks for the long haul so why not get the benifits of this daily. I imagine you have a few pot holes that you could do without.



The quality of the T-rex components tells me that they will last a very long time and if i ever sell this truck the Trex will be comming with me to the next truck.



This stuff is cheap if you look at the whole long term picture/benifits.



Take a look at my Readers rigs to see the trucks i am talking about.



Best regards





DD

Does your truck just have the $500 2. 5" leveling kit with the Bilsteins? I am trying to figure out when people are talking about the T-rex with Bilsteins if this is the kit that is about $500. I like quality, but I will never pay $3500 for what I will use my 3rd gen for.

 

[LightmanE300]

Savery, I'm sure he's talking about the full bilstein setup which is $2500. I'm still not sure I really NEED it, but I sure as heck want it now. Arghh!

 

[Diesel Dan]

SAvery,

The "leveling kit" from T-rex is a pair of Bilstein 5100's and a pair of T-rex coils. The full kit i have is a pair of Bilstein 7100's w/ remote resovoirs, T-rex coils, Aluminun upper shock tower( one trick a$$ piece for sure) limiting straps on the front and 7100's w/remote resovoirs and mini leaf pack that replace the overload leaf in the rear spring pack.



The leveling kit is an option but not the "bomb" the full kit is. (obviously)



DD

 

[y-knot]

The leveling kit from T-Rex is a smart package they put together to capitalize on the name recognition of their popular and expensive T-Rex off road suspension kits they offer with Bilstien or Fox (no King any more, to bad) shocks. While the racing suspension kits utilize top brand shocks valved to perform with these heavy trucks in the worst of conditions. The "Leveling Kit" is nothing more then longer front springs combined with OEM Bilstien replacement shocks, do not go out and try to jump the next railroad crossing, you will find it very hard on your back side and wallet.

I have talked with Sara of T-Rex engineering several times, she is a very nice and knowledgeable young lady. They are also very up-front about the leveling kit, they make no claims about it being anything more then a cosmetic change. If i was wanting to raise my Dodge in the front, I would think their kit to be a top contender in the group of choices from which to pool. A ploy spacer with two Bilstien's is less then $300, and does the same thing. Before I would buy from Skyjacker though, I would go to T-Rex the difference is much less, and I think their springs might be better, that's just me.



Hey the Power Wagon from Dodge comes standard with Bilstien OEM shocks!

 

[blake underwood]

Well from what I do know about shocks and springs I will give you a price if I were to build it myself.



Front Fox Remote res 2. 5" racing shock $1100 retail

Fox rear piggyback 2. 5" racing shock $ 900 retail.

Thats each!!!

Deaver rear springs $ 900

Front coil, if you can find one this good, $500

Bump stops or limit straps $ 80



So that is $2200 front

$1800 rear

$1400 for springs

$80 for limits



Total: $5480 for the same setup. Oh I almost forgot all the R&D you will have to do to fine tune your shock, the billit shock towers, and the good Idea in the first place. Not to mention putting some $35 aftermarket shocks and some crappy sacked out SJ springs on the front of a $40K truck. I think if you look at it from this angle you will see what a good deal $3500 is!



Greg

Greg,



Never mind the GP idea, to save a little $$$. I guess were saving BIG time, if ya put it that way.

 

[Greg Boardman-RIP]

Greg,



Never mind the GP idea, to save a little $$$. I guess were saving BIG time, if ya put it that way.

Blake,

Keep your eyes peeled for a GP . There might, just might be one coming down the pike!!!



One thing you guys need to remember about the leveling kit. It adds travel to an otherwise normal lift. Travel is the key to suspension working properly. The more travel you have, the more abuse your truck can take. The 5100 shock on the leveling kit is a much better shock than stock. The stock shocks are $3 for DC to buy. Bilstien 5100 are a $35 dollar shock and they have more travel. Thus, a greatly improved ride and handling.



The kit Diesel Dan has is about as good as the Fox system. It just cant do why the Fox can for as long. For the normal guy, who goes hunting twice a year and covers 50 miles of washboarded fire roads this is the ultimate setup. If you want to go 50 mph through the most gnarly of conditions, go for the Fox. I feel like the Bilstiens are much better running around town than the Fox. I ran around in another truck today that had the fox system on it and I thought is was a little stiff. At least for the HWY. My truck is great for me. Kent understands what I want from my truck. I have the most radical valving that he has ever sold. The heaviest springs in the front, Full race leafs coming for the back. On the hwy my truck floats around on 37" Goodyears with 25psi in them. Very cushy. I have to run it like that for the stiff valving. With the Bilstiens you can run a more reasonable air pressure, because the are valved alot softer than the Fox.



There are 3 setups for a good reason.

2. 5" leveling kit is for the guy who wants to clear a 35" tire and make his truck look better. I for one cant blame them. I had 2 inch leveling blocks on my truck for a year before I got my Trex.



Bilstien Suspension is for the off road enthusiest that wants to be able to kill speed bumps, rail down dirt roads and have fun. It is a great system and for the money far superior than the Skyjacker kit. The Trex spring do not sag. I have tried to kill them and it is not possible.



Fox system is for the guy who is not afraid to stuff a $40K truck through some bushes over whoops at 60 mph. It is the ultimate system. There is nothing like it available anywhere else, for any make of truck, period. It is truly amazing what your truck is capable of with the setup. Yes you can jump it if you want. I wouldn't advise it if you are not expierenced at reading off road terrain at very high speeds. You can also break stuff, bend stuff and just not have a good day. You must calculate every move you make. But then again it will hold up to the abuse if used correctly. Those pictures of us flying our trucks are done on jumps the we hit at 25 the 35 then 55 the 65 then 70 mph. It is just not something you go and do.



Sorry I have ranted so long but I feel like you guys might be selling yourselfs short. Go for the gusto, you drive a $40,000 truck, are very proud and work hard to keep them nice. Why the would you put a $30 crappy spring on it and a $5 shock? You deserve better.



Thanks for listening,

Greg