i want to get a 2"body lift and 4" suspention lift for my 96 ext cab 4x4 and large tires to match i was wanting some input on some good bolt on kits that i could do in a weekend with a helper cause i like to be able to drive on top of things

 

Well, there is only 1 4 inch lift kit. Its made by trailmaster and costs A LOT more than its worth, IMHO! You'd be looking at spending $2k.

The cheap, easy way to lift these trucks is by turning up the torsion bars. And if you want to go higher than the factory torsion keys allow, there are aftermarket ones out there that can get you higher.

With torsion bars and some form of leveling in the back (shackle flip, blocks, etc), you'd be looking at 3 inches, but that 3 inches will cost you a very uncomfortable ride.

Before I started my solid axle swap, I had the torsion bars maxxed... in other words, the control arms were slammed into the upper bump stops. Then I wanted it higher, so I took out the bump stops, cut them in half, and slammed the control arms into them again. Here is what I experienced... very uncomfortable to hit a bump in the road. Not the greatest articulation because the bump stops were already limiting downflex, and the spring rate of the torsion bars was so high from a high pre-load that upflex was also limited (see sig pic).

If you want something worthwhile, look into doing a solid axle swap. Although I'm somthing like a month into my project already, I know its going to be worth it when I'm done. It'll be high enough to comfortably clear 37s and then some. And there are easier ways to do a solid axle swap than the way I chose!!!

 

hmmm so get an old f-350 axle set swap and have fun?

 

I don't know about the F350! Weren't all of those dually rears?

But otherwise, yeah you get the idea. Old Ford axles are very strong, and are driver's side drop. A 70s F150 or F250 is definately the easiest swap.

Leaf springs would make the front easy, but I like my 3 link design with coil springs :P

 

not true they came in both styles but the newer older f250 has ifs i thought............ imagine a 6x6 tandom dually dakota thats a better idea than a tall lift i can get the 3 axes from a local junkyard for cheep and fabricate a torque splitter myself cause on either side of the slim pickings dakota is a 90 f350 and a 94 f350 ifound my concept truck design to work on exicuting in the next year or so thanks

 

No, you are not allowed to build a tandem dually dakota. That would make it cooler than my truck, and thats not allowed! Just kidding!! That would be one sick build!

But now that you just grabbed my interest, I gotta help throw ideas into the mix.

Have you thought of extending your frame and throwing a long bed on the back of your truck to make room for those tandem axles? That would also give you an excuse to back-half your frame for a dual 4 link suspension!!

 

yes and i would chop the back half of my frame and costom fabricate the extended frame and bed it will be like a miny dodge t-rex i read he did up a costom 5 link for that this thing will be sweet i might just though in a 4bt swap fore more torque

 

Lol, I wish I had that kind of money!! A 4bt swap won't be cheap! That would be one awesome truck though.

By 5 link, I assume you mean a 4 link with a track bar?

 

yay for windows paint i photoshoped a prexisting photo of my truck ditched the shell added a light bar and made it tandem whoo i thunk it first

 

LOL! Those are some mad paint skills!