2nd Gen Non-Engine/Transmission Who has the BEST riding lift kit?

[MrDiesel]

My SkyJacker 4. 5" is in need of some shocks, and maybe a bushing or 2. Perhaps I'm getting old but this thing rides like crap. Like I can feel every crack and crevice in the road. I'm not bouncing all over the place so I think the shocks aren't completely shot, and I'm not sure if I want to put any more money in it or return it to stock (with 2" level kit). Any suggestions?

 

[kparker]

Jason Hughes of HRC in San Diego, just finished removing a Skyjacker system for a customer of his. The system had big red control arms, dual shiny reservoir shocks, one with twin reservoirs. It drove awful and vibrated at speed. Hughes had to locate a stock pitman arm, control arms, trac bar, sway bar, and then cut off some odd bracketry. He then installed the KORE Recon system and his customer was amazed at the ride transformation.



Call Jason if your curious about the details.



Hughes Racing Components (619)298-3568



KP

 

[CStraface]

If only Kore was economical in their pricing!

 

[kparker]

The Recon system is an economical system. How much do we pay for bombing our trucks? The hot transmission? Actually let's not go there, that one still hurts. The Recon system is cheaper than a new set of wheels and tires, and yet has a much more dramatic effect on how the truck drives. Oh yeah, and it all has a lifetime warranty. I wish I could say the same for the rest of my many purchases on this truck of mine.

 

[CStraface]

Ok, you got me. All very good points. I guess I don't mind my ride that much, so I don't see a kit as a need. But I love power, so I see all my other goodies as needs. I guess it all depends on what your looking for out of your truck.

 

[kparker]

CStraface,



Power that will hook up in the dirt is even more fun... I love it too.

Need? Hmmm. I am not sure I really even needed my truck, but I sure am glad I have it.



KP

 

[San Felipe Bob]

New springs?

As springs age they sag and get stiffer. Oo.

The shocks also age and get sloppy.

A new set of spring's and shocks may bring some life back into your truck.

Of course new bushing's help alot too.

:-laf

SFB

 

[MarkMiller]

Alcan spring will make new packs for you. No idea on hte price now. 1 year ago it was around 270 a pack. All you need is the weight of your rig and what you want it to do. as far as coils, I have no idea. I have a 4. 5 skyjacker and have about had my fill of the ride too. Its not bad, but its no good either. I have been in lots of lifted trucks that are A LOT worse. I was thinking about getting some RCD 6 inch coils for the front. They make some really quality stuff. http://www.racecardynamics.com/

 

[MrDiesel]

My truck skys over my winter 33s, I don't think I have saggy springs... MarkMiller-does your Sky Jacker 4. 5" have springs AND coil spacers in front or just lift coils???

 

[MrDiesel]

Jason Hughes of HRC in San Diego, just finished removing a Skyjacker system for a customer of his. The system had big red control arms, dual shiny reservoir shocks, one with twin reservoirs. It drove awful and vibrated at speed. Hughes had to locate a stock pitman arm, control arms, trac bar, sway bar, and then cut off some odd bracketry. He then installed the KORE Recon system and his customer was amazed at the ride transformation.



Call Jason if your curious about the details.



Hughes Racing Components (619)298-3568



KP

I checked a few web sites and no onw actually lists prices for the KORE stuff (usually a BAD sign!). Also, I noticed only the 03-up models have the variable rate coils... I see in your sig you have a KORE system, what do you think? I just don't see how a non-vairable rate spring can be so much better over some other brand lift spring. In the case you mentioned, I could see how that customer would have gotten improved ride with the addition of new springs and shocks. BUT the biggest difference was probably the fact that he went back to a more near stock suspension geometry and back to good old rubber bushings instead of the poly ones. I know in a harsh enviroment poly rules but my truck is a street queen and I'm after ride quality. I am contimplating finding some one that want's the lift and has a stocker and swapping every thing out with the addition of some new shocks and a 2" leveling kit... .

 

[Desert Proven]

MrDiesel,



If you take a look at a set of KORE springs, HD or VR, and compare them to a set of Skyjacker coils, the differences are pretty obvious. The KORE coils are much heavier, have more coil wraps, and as a result, perform much better.



Feel free to give us, or any KORE distributor a call and we'd be happy to explain the differences. I think you'll also find that KORE pricing is not as inflated as people make it out to be. There are suspension systems and options for every budget.



best regards,

 

[Lorenz]

I agree with Kparker. If you start fresh by installing your stock arms, pitman, and use the stock track bar location, then went ahead with a suspension system that was designed to perform out of the box, you will be ahead of the game. There's too many variables to get wrong if you were to start replacing parts and pieces of the existing kit you have now. Start fresh, don't refurb the kit you have now.

With that said I have had a customer keep the Kelderman air ride system and upgrade to the 2. 25 shocks with great results. We went with custom valving and custom lengths to accomidate the Kelderman kit, a new mounting hole here and a hole there, and we had one estatic client. He wrote about it here.
https://www.turbodieselregister.com/forums/showthread.php?p=1741577#post1741577

Jeff_K
I installed my new Sway-a-way 2. 25 shocks last week and I can not believe how much a difference in ride there is. These things are flat out awesome!

I did a lot of research and calling around before i chose these shocks. Sean was excellent to deal with. My application is somewhat custom (Kelderman Lift) so Sean called Kelderman to make sure of the measurements and that the 2. 25 shocks would work for me. He had them valved for the cummins and shipped up. The install was easy, and now my truck rides like a dream

When I get a chance I will get some pictures posted of the install.

You may want to ask current customers about thier perspective systems. You just got bombarded by 3 of KORE's guys. 2 installers/distributors (if you did indeed call Jason,) and 1 kore engineer who is directly on the payroll.

Kparker you may want to update your profile to reflect the fact that you work for KORE as an engineer so members can get a fair read.

 

[MrDiesel]

I agree with Kparker. If you start fresh by installing your stock arms, pitman, and use the stock track bar location, then went ahead with a suspension system that was designed to perform out of the box, you will be ahead of the game. There's too many variables to get wrong if you were to start replacing parts and pieces of the existing kit you have now. Start fresh, don't refurb the kit you have now.



QUOTE]



That was kinda my idea with going back to stock all the way, instead of starting to replace items I already have. I may toy around w/ it a little if time allows (after all I already have it, labor is free-kinda ) and then decide which way I will go...

 

[LarryWard]

I am interested in at least shocks for my '95 4x4 clubcab with 225k. Is the Kore 5100 Bilstiens identical to 5100's from any other sources. If not what are the differences and prices. And can one get coils later. And why aren't the coils for my '95 variable? And owners views of those with Kore and Lorenz so I can at least get some good shocks. thks Larry

 

[Bob4x4]

I checked a few web sites and no onw actually lists prices for the KORE stuff (usually a BAD sign!). Also, I noticed only the 03-up models have the variable rate coils... I see in your sig you have a KORE system, what do you think? I just don't see how a non-vairable rate spring can be so much better over some other brand lift spring. In the case you mentioned, I could see how that customer would have gotten improved ride with the addition of new springs and shocks. BUT the biggest difference was probably the fact that he went back to a more near stock suspension geometry and back to good old rubber bushings instead of the poly ones. I know in a harsh enviroment poly rules but my truck is a street queen and I'm after ride quality. I am contimplating finding some one that want's the lift and has a stocker and swapping every thing out with the addition of some new shocks and a 2" leveling kit... .

Too bad you live so far away,I have friends here with all 3 brands,the only sure way to know which is best for you is to drive it.



Bob

 

[MarkMiller]

My truck skys over my winter 33s, I don't think I have saggy springs... MarkMiller-does your Sky Jacker 4. 5" have springs AND coil spacers in front or just lift coils???

I run just lift coils up front and the Skyjacker replacement spring packs in the rear that completely replace the stock springs but leave the stock blocks.



I am going to long arm it most likely with a cepek kit and then throw some race car dynamics (RCD) coils on the front and with the rear I will use the Thuren shackle flip kit and probably have alcan make me some packs with antiwrap leaves. The anti-wrap leaves are an old racer trick of a half length leaf that reverse wraps at one end and kind of triangulates the rear springs to help eliminate the spring wrap.



I will be going to 40's though so that may be a bit too much lift for your app. To keep you around the 33-35 tire height make sure your wheels have enough offset (you don't want them really deep, you want the opposite, you want hte centerline of the wheel mounting surface to be closer to the front of the wheel than the back so that the tires don't rub at when turning) and use the thuren shackle flip kit to eliminate your rear blocks (the shackle flip can add or reduce height depending upon how you set it). It alone should clear your tires in the rear then pick a good set of coils for the front and if need be add a spacer in to clear your tires of choice. the skyjacker coils aren't bad and with the right set of shocks are a pretty good ride. I have also had really good luck with Procomp stuff if you want another option.

 

[MrDiesel]

I did a little snooping around on some other trucks and I believe my lift may have started out life as the 2. 5" or so and then had some one add the lift spacer in. I get about 18" from spring pad to spring pad, almost the same on a friends 4. 5" with no spacer at all. I wonder if it has the front end geometry off a little adding to the harsh ride?... .

 

[Jason Hughes]

I am interested in at least shocks for my '95 4x4 clubcab with 225k. Is the Kore 5100 Bilstiens identical to 5100's from any other sources. If not what are the differences and prices. And can one get coils later. And why aren't the coils for my '95 variable? And owners views of those with Kore and Lorenz so I can at least get some good shocks. thks Larry

Hello Larry, the spring towers on the 2nd gen trucks are not as strong as the 3rd gen trucks. When the Kore VR coil gets close to bind the forces are tremendous compared to the Kore HD coil. You run a risk of tearing off your spring buckets, I have seen 2nd gen trucks with stock suspension tear the spring buckets. Kparker has Kore VR coils on his 2nd gen truck but he strengthened them quite a bit to accomodate the forces. Hope this helps.

 

[LarryWard]

Jason, if I understand you correctly, some original coil towers have failed with the original springs and shocks. Therefore I should have some concern whether I use H. D. or Variable Rate springs it would seem. So three questions: #1 Which coils give the better ride, HD or VR on '95 4x4. Not into offroad performance challenges, just good ride and handling. Several yrs ago put on the Velvet Shackles which clearly absorbs some of the rear harsh snap when running empty.

#2 - Are the VR coils more money? And will the same 5100 Bilstiens apply to either coils? Guess I should simply call vendors with these kind of questions.

#3 - What is done to strenthen the towers? And thanks for responding about earlier coil questions. Larry

 

[Desert Proven]

Hi Larry,



I might be able to help a bit. I've got a second gen truck (2002) and have run both the VR coils and the HD coils on that truck.

1) I'd recommend the HD coils for your application. IMHO, the HD coils will provide a better ride for your application.

2) The VR coils are more expensive. There is a lot more work on the design and manufacturing side. In addition, there is about 20 more pounds of steel in the coils as well. The Bilstein shocks work with either coil

3) It is a significant amount of welding that needs to be done to strenthen the tower on a second generation (especially the early model ones).



We are located up in your area, and would be happy to help with any questions you have.



best regards,