WHAT IS THE BEST WAY TO LIFT THE FRONT END?

[Arcticat]

Here is my dillema: I just installed the Warn brush/grille guard and winch, and in the processe added close to three hundred pounds to a front end that alredy struggles to stay level under the weight of the mighty Cummins. The extra weight gives the truck a nose down look that I really hate. I need to lift the front end at least two inches to level things out. I remember reading awhile back about a kit made by I think skyjacker that included taller springs and longer shocks. Anybody using this? If so can the springs be had on their own so I can use Rancho 9000's instead? Also will I need a longer shock than the regular Dodge application? What about those rubber spacers? Any other ideas? Thanks in advance.

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'00 2500 reg cab LB 4x4, 5spd, LSD, Hot Poweredge, 275 injectors, Warn HS9500I winch, Trans4mer grille guard/winchmount, TracRack, Line-X OTR, G-tech, Loadsaver, and a bunch of other crap I don't technically "need" Name a factory option-I don't have it!

 

[thepitts]

I was just checking into this myself tonight, go to National Wheel and Tire. They sell coil springs for a 2" lift without shocks.

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Eric Pitts 2001 Properly Valved 2500 Qcab 4X4 auto Transgo shifts it 4. 10 LSD Prime-Loc Weston Nerf Bars Smith built brush guard Command Remote Starter Scotty Air DD stage 1’s, PS boost module , elbow 32psi boost 247hp,657tq Neophyte B. O. M. B. er
The Pitts Home Page
Member GLTDR

 

[Arcticat]

Just went to their website and couldn't find it. Did you mean the web or an outlet? I don't think they have a store around here.

 

[Cooker]

I too was looking into this same topic.



You can purchse just the Skyjacker coils. If I remember correctly they are around $150 for the pair, and I think you can order them from Skyjacker direct.



One thing I am curious about is spring rates. Does anybody know what the stock spring rates are or where I can find the info? I emailed Skyjacker about their spring rate of the 2" springs and they never got back to me.



On other thing you may want to consider is a 2" coil spacer. These are even cheaper at I think around $75 per pair.

 

[dieselshadow]

I used the 2 inch urethane lift cups. They work really good and are not difficult to install, just time consuming. They are made by Dayton I believe. I'll have to double check though. I used other components from Big Dick's Suspension to level out the truck. I paid around $200. No change in ride quality, but you do have to get an alignment.

Big question though. Does raising the vehicle change the alignment specs at all, or do you stay with the OEM spec range? I had the tech ask me what the aftermarket company gave me for limitations on camber and caster. He did not adjust these and I'm wondering if he should have set it to OEM specs. #ad


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J Case
'95 2500 4x4 Auto Reg Cab
Big Dick's 2inch lift
BD tc, vb, Pressure lock, and 4" exhaust.
K&N RE-0880 with 25-0880 prefilter
Custom Fuel Pump by Piers!!

POWERCHOKES BEWARE!!!!!

 

[WHOLEHOG]

I'm glad Arcticat brought this up because I have been looking for an answer to this very question also. I could really use a few inches of lift to level out the front end but I have lifted so many other trucks and been extremely unhappy with the ride thereafter. What do the 2" springs ride like and while I'm asking questions does anyone know if the springs themselves are the lift or is there more to it? The local 4 wheel parts place tried to sell me something called cup extensions for around $375 and said they should raise it about 2". Who else has an idea on this?

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Jeff Swiney
98 SLT QC 4X4 Auto LWB Rhino Liner
Silencer Ring gone
Stock Plate all the way Forward 75 Clicks on Star Wheel K&N Waiting on more Parts/Power
Just Fixin To Be Bombed

 

[Blkdawdg]

Go to www.jackit.com . Those guys are the best when it comes to customer service. I just purchased the tuff country 2" leveling kit from the for less that $130. 00. It did a very nice job of bringing up the front end. They also have very good prices on lifts and such. Their price for skyjacker front coils is less that $130. 00 also.

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2001 ETH SWB Sport, Blue Box, HX-40, 4" Exhaust, DD III's, RE-0880, ATS Manifold, Too MUCH Stereo, Grizzly Nerf Bars, Pathfinder 315's,

 

[Dane]

I'd go with a dual shocks also, the single shock on each side is already over taxed trying to control the Cummins and 150lbs of battery...

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2001 HO 6 speed Regular Cab SLT 4x4 3. 54 anti spin 2500. Used for the daily grind and sneaking away to some secret Baja beaches toting a cabover

 

[thepitts]

Here is the direct link to National Wheel and tire, coil springs. http://www.natltire.com/ntw0799/pages/susacc.html it does not list a price. But a GLTDR member has them on his and likes them very well. The price he said was about 120. 00 but your milage may vary.

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Eric Pitts 2001 Properly Valved 2500 Qcab 4X4 auto Transgo shifts it 4. 10 LSD Prime-Loc Weston Nerf Bars Smith built brush guard Command Remote Starter Scotty Air DD stage 1’s, PS boost module , elbow 32psi boost 247hp,657tq Neophyte B. O. M. B. er
The Pitts Home Page
Member GLTDR

 

[Cooker]

I disagree on the dual shock setup. Yes the Cummins and batteries add more weight up front, but unless you are doing some serious off roading duals are overkill and will hurt the ride quality. IMO duals are for off road vehicles and looks.

I did a bit more checking on this topic today, as I'm in the market too. I'm leaning toward a Rancho leveling kit (Rancho calls it a lift kit, but does nothing for the rear) The first price I got was $325 and this was spacers, bumpstops and lower control arms.

I am personally trying to stay away from replacement coils. Who know for sure how much lift they will provide. After all, every truck is a little different.

I'm not too sure which way to go yet, but now it looks like spacers over coils.

Still open to suggestions, too.
Ryan

 

[Walker]

Has anybody tried custom coils from National Spring or Eaton Springs? I'm looking to lift also: 3" custom coils in the front and an extra 2" block in the back. Or, I may go with a 4. 5"kit all around.

Q: I believe pre-94 CTD Rams had a 6" block in the back. Will these work on our newer Rams?

I've been running Rancho 2" coil spacers with 35"BFG's on my 3/4ton Ram 360gas for 5 years. No problems yet, and it does level the truck if you like that look. You won't need a pitman arm or upper/lower control arms for just 2". Go higher and you'll need extra components.

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2001 2500 SLT QC 4x4 ETC 5spd LWB 3. 54 Black/Agate leather. DD2's w/boost module, DD4" exhaust, ISSpro boost/pyro gauges on A-pillar. Custom full bumper/brush guard and headache rack, Seal-Tite tool box, B&W turnover ball.

 

[Cooker]

Walker,
IMO I wouldn't add more blocks to the back they are already quite tall, and more blocks would lead to more axle wrap (if that is a concern of yours).

Personally I'd opt for the complete 4. 5" kit. Although a little more expensive, I think the MFG's design them quite well, in most cases, so all the parts compliment eachother.

On the 2" leveling idea, I agree just adding the coil spacers up front is probably good enough, but I think the addtion of the longer lower control arms will help geometry a bit. I'll pay the extra bit for a complete 2" leveling kit, for the reason stated above.

 

[Arcticat]

I am going to call jackit and ask them what they think is right for the application. I agree with cooker that there is no way to determine exactly what the lift is going to be with aftermarket coils. They only make one coil for the 3/4 ton truck with either the V10 or Cummins. That's a 500lb weight difference right there! Plus I would bet they are going to affect a regcab without snowplow prep different than say a quadcab long bed truck with plow prep. There are quite a few springs Dodge uses for different weight requirements, thius replacing them all with just one spring is going to yield different results, which aren't going to be known until after you've done the install. The spacers are guaranteed to give a preknown quantity of lift.

I'm still willing to consider the skyjacker springs IF for some reason they could offer better ride quality. Hemi Dart, where are you?

Part two of my question remains an issue with either route taken to achieve the extra height - do I need longer shocks to go with the lift?

 

[Walker]

National Spring and Eaton Springs advertise they will make "anything" you want in a spring from coils to leafs. I'll be calling them soon to get details and let you know. They can make a variable rate coil for any load you desire and at any height.
I have a 250lb. custom full bumper replacement on the front and could use more support.

 

[Dane]

These guys have kits and sell individual componants http://www.skyjacker.com/catalog/KitsDodge.htm

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2001 HO 6 speed Regular Cab SLT 4x4 3. 54 anti spin 2500. Used for the daily grind and sneaking away to some secret Baja beaches toting a cabover

 

[thepitts]

If you lift the front you will need new shocks. The stock size will not have the full range needed. JMHO

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Eric Pitts 2001 Properly Valved 2500 Qcab 4X4 auto Transgo shifts it 4. 10 LSD Weston Nerf Bars Smith built brush guard Command Remote Starter Scotty Air DD stage 1’s, PS boost module , elbow 32psi boost 247hp,657tq Neophyte B. O. M. B. er
The Pitts Home Page
Member GLTDR

 

[David_VT]

Articat,
I can't wait to see the new front end... !

I did a search on TDR the other night regarding shocks and that search pulled up a ton of stuff from others regarding front end lifts. I think I recall TXram fount some metal coil lifts that he liked.

Willys sent me this link, check it out! https://www.turbodieselregister.com/ubb//Forum3/HTML/002315.html

David

[This message has been edited by David_VT (edited 02-06-2001). ]

 

[Arcticat]

I called jackit today and was totally floored by what they had to say. They sell both the skyjacker lift springs and the leveling cups. They actually recommended I go with the LESS EXPENSIVE spring cups as they would retain the factory spring rate which in their opinion is a better ride than the skyjackers, plus they were not sure the skyjackers would be up to the job of carrying the weight of the winch and grilleguard, etc. Then I asked about shocks and was shocked(no pun intended) to have them recommend some brand I wasn't farmiliar with, I think it was called procomp, over the Ranch 9000's (they sell both) at half the price of the Ranchos! When was the last time you heard somebody who sold two items that accomplish the same goal and are signifigantly different in price actually recommended the less expensive option as accomlpishing the same goal but saving you money. I asked more than once if the guy was sure there was no difference in the shocks but he repeated he would be more than glad to sell me the Rancho's at twice the price but he considered it a waste of money. He said most people just assume they are the best because they cost more, but that really the change in ride quality over the stock shock will be true of just about any shock that is not nitrigen charged like the stockers. He did say that the Edelbrock's are probably the best, but he felt they were overpriced for the small difference.

So I think I have decided to go with the leveling cups, but I'm still unsure about the shocks. There are an awfull lot of people here on the TDR that are sold on those Rancho's...

 

[ToolManTimTaylor]

Installed my Leveling kit two weeks ago from JAKIT 2001 3500 now wears 33X10R16 Mud terains (255/85/r16)NO PROBLEMS! truck is level I'm happy Snow's deep... ... ... . say more?

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Y2K+1 3500 4X4 Quad Cab Powerpacked
Keeping the rubber side down 'n' shiny side up Will Bring a smile at the end of each day (hopefully)

 

[Cooker]

A company will sell you a cheaper product if their margins are higher. Rancho may not give them much room for the markup and they may be making more/shock on the Explorer ProComp products. Or maybe they do think they are a better product?

Here is my $. 02 on the shocks. Edlebrock's are a pretty rough ride IMO. Explorers ProComps rode ok on a friends 1500 Chevy, but I think they'll be too light in our application.

If you want a supposedly self adjusting shock, one friend in running the Rancho RSX. He says they ride good, but I haven't had a chance to ride in his truck yet.

For me the choice will be the 9000's. They are the only ones we can tailor to our individual taste, and we all know we drive a different breed of beast. Plus they have a lifetime warranty.

One other thing to keep in mind. Look in the application guide of many of the performance shock mfg's and you will see the same shock (ie same part number Rancho 5000 or whatever brand) recommended for both the 1500 and 2500 Dodge trucks. Hard to believe, but it's true. They assume that a shock good enough for a 1500 is good enough for the mighty Cummins?

Ryan

BTW Thanks for the info from Jackit. That was pretty much the feedback I got today. The two people I spoke with at performace 4x4 shops told me to stick with the spacers. Looks like thats the way to go for me. Did they have a leveling "kit" or just spring cups?

One more quesion, does anybody else (without a winch/grillguard) think 2" might sit it off even the other way?

Sorry so long.