2nd Gen Non-Engine/Transmission Too Damn Tall

[Wally]

I have just purchased 97 4X4 dually and truck sits so tall in rear am going to have troble with fifth wheel hookup.

have read that there is a (curb height lowering package) from a TSB 02-001-01 but the dealer here has not a clue. does anyone have part # for above kit it is supposted to be a 1&7/8 " lower spacer block thanks in advance

 

[Bob Wagner]

here ya go Wally

Click Here

 

[Wally]

OUCH!!! called dealer and they can get but it is 700. 00 dollars WOW but thanks for all the info. .

 

[klenger]

I had it done to mine under warranty.



Here's the link to my webpage.



http://www.klenger.net/dodge/tsb-lower-rear-axle.html

 

[Ron Bissett]

lower the truck Forgetaboutit . Raise the trailer go to www.dexteraxle.com for info and price one day job. Ron in Louisville KY

 

[Blakers]

I agree with Ron. I would raise the camper to level it out. Put the axles under the springs if they aren't already that way. Most of the new ones are higher for use with 4x4 trucks.



Blake

 

[Tom G]

Flipped Axels

Yup I had the same problem. Tried hooking up my 2X4 3500 and it was too tall. Took the 5th wheel to a local company and they flipped the axels over and install new spring supports. A few hundred bucks later I can use my 5th wheel. Of course it looks stupid sitting so high in the air. I am not an automotive engineer but I'll bet it would roll over a lot easier.



My son bought a new Ford PSD 4X4 and you need to use the running boards to get into the truck. Of course it won't go OVER anything any better than my truck because the axle clearance isn't any better than my truck. Think about it; if you don't put bigger tires on a truck you still have the same amount of ground clearance. It doesn't make any difference if the cab is three feet higher you still can't get over that 12" rock in the road.



For the life of me I can't figure out why Dodge AND Ford [and i guess Chevy to] make their trucks so high in the air. It is just plain stupid - I mean does anyone at Dodge have a clue. I would love to get a new 3500, 2003, 4X4 but It would never work with my 5th wheel. As it is my Lilrocker hitch is in the next to the last upper hole and the trailer axles have been flippled and I still only have about 4 1/2" of bed to trailer space. I mean has anyone at Dodge or Ford ever looked at what we have to go through to just use their products.



First of all having a cab sitting 3' off the ground may look cool to someone in Modesto, Ca on Saturday night with a 6" lift and 33" Mud Terrains but not for my truck. Having a stock 4X4 Dodge truck so high in the air we have to pay $700. 00 just to have it lowered to use it to tow something with is stupid. I see THOUSANDS of Dodge trucks pulling trailers, 5th wheels, goose necks and other stuff. I see a FEW raised with lift kits and bigger tires and you need a ladder to get into the cab. Just look at our trucks. From the side view you can see 6" of the frame showing. On top of that you can seen another 6" of the transmission crossmember hanging down. Try driving over a 10" diameter rock and see if it clears. I think Dodge and Ford are building trucks for the wrong crowd. Build THOUSANDS for people who tow and haul. Build a couple of HUNDRED for the other crowd. And don't get me wrong, I to have a lifted Jeep for rockcrawling and playing in the dirt.



O. K. so I have vented enough. Hey Dodge wake up - give me the option to order a LOWER 4X4 and I'll order it tomorrow. Outfit it with everything except leather with 300 horses and a GOOD automatic and I'll bring my checkbook. Until then I will have to stick with my 2001.



Tom G. Just having a bad day :-(



Don't even get me started on Dodge automatic transmissions.

 

[klenger]

My thoughts exactly Tom G. I'm surprised you are having that problem wth a 2WD.

 

[Blakers]

REAL 4 wheel drive pickups have have always sat up high in the air - look at the 1970s Fords - they were much higher than the Dodges in stock format.



The reason 4 wheel drives are higher is not just for looks, but for safety (better to go over a wreck than under it), ground clearance (it's more than axle clearance), axle articulation, and tire clearance (we USE our big tires - they're not always for show). It's also nice to be able to see over the SUVs and migit vans out there plugging up the roads.



Most all the newer 5th wheel trailers are designed to set up higher for more clearance over the truck beds and more ground clearance crossing irregular surfaces.



If you want a low 4x4 truck, buy a Chevy. They tend to cater to the low crowd.



Blake

 

[Tom G]

Newer Is Better?

O. K. lets see a new 4X4 truck will be about $32,000. A new taller 5th wheel trailer to match up with the taller truck will be about $25,000. This of course would make the following real happy.



1. My wife since it will be bigger and newer of course.

2. My Dodge dealer because he will sell a new truck

3. Trailer manufacturers always like to make a few bucks, and

4. Someone will get a good deal on my old truck



Ah what the heck that's only $57,000 because Dodge and Ford won't provide a purchase option for people who don't need two feet of ground clearance at the rocker panels. I am sure the Chevy Dura whatever is a fine truck but then again it doesn't have a Cummins does it?



Hey here is a solution, I'll get my torch out and chop the springs off about 4". That should do it and that's a lot cheaper than the $700. 00 Dodge charges to lower a 4X4 truck for customers.



And yes Blake it sure is sweet to drive and see over all those Minivans but I have to be careful here, my daughter own one, my wife did and she loved it and it ran perfectly for 140,000 miles, my sister-in-law owns one and my father-in-law has a Chrysler Town and Country. Millions of those suckers out there on the road and they are nice.



Tom G.

 

[Wally]

hey Tom not to get you started but the 700 from dodge was only the kit not including any labor and the parts guy did not even know what was included in the kit sounds like I will be doing some suspension work on my 5er thanks for all the replys

 

[klenger]

Wally:



I've heard from several members here in the past who have lowered their trucks without the TSB for under $100. I think that they just had a machine shop cut the blocks down, and had new shorter u bolts made. They said the original shocks worked ok.



Wait a few more days for more responses to this post.



Blakers: Then I guess I don't want a "real truck", I need a truck that can tow and work for me instaed.

 

[mike r]

32,000 bucks?

Let me know where you found a new one for that price and I'll buy one. Last saturday I was going past a dealer and saw a shiny 3500 4x4 4-door w/ auto and leather and I almost puked at the 44,895 on the end of the sticker! Who came up with those crappy looking wheels anyway?

 

[jmtandem]

truck height

I guess I can't complain about ride height much since I run 285 tires on my '01 4x4 but I am at the max limit for camper jacks when loading /unloading my Alaskan camper. And at that I only have about an inch or two over the bed. The camper is much higher on the jacks than when I had my '91 CTD 4x4. But the ride of the '01 is infinately better than the old '91. I guess everything is relative.

 

[RedRam1]

Wally,



Klenger is correct, you don't need anything other than new spacer blocks, and U-bolts, you don't need shocks. Heck, I didn't even re-align the front end, I intended to, but the truck drove great, and the tires seemed to be wearing fine, so I never got around to it.

You won't believe the difference 2" shorter lift blocks make, this is the best 'bomb' I've made to my truck - no longer get a hernia trying to lift stuff into the bed.

This is an easy mod to make, I've been driving/towing/hauling with mine for over a year (~15K miles)with no regrets. Also if you go the homemade route, you can retain the overload springs. With the DC kit, you will need to buy new U-bolts if you want to keep your overload springs. For some reason the U-bolts that come with the kit are not long enough for the overloads.