Just because he ordered springs FROM top gun customz doesn't necessarily mean he didn't get the skyjackers.

 

Exactly. I purchased the 3" Skyjacker coil springs through topguncustomz. I'm hoping my existing monroe reflex shocks will be able to stretch the extra distance.

I suppose I'm still confused about the whole coil spacer to coil spring ordeal. I always thought coil spacers were popular because it didn't matter what size shock you had because they were stacking on top. I guess I'm curious as to why people buy spacers if they produce the same amount of stress on the shocks as the coil spring would. For only a $100 more, I have black powder coated coil springs; I can't see the value in coil spacers. Or maybe I'm just being narrow minded.

 

Yeah, narrow minded I guess. Coils spacers are just a cheap way to gain a few inches. They do stack on the coil spring, but they still make the shock stretch out.

Also, people looking for added lift that already have a lift kit with springs can easily do it with a spacer (although other stuff may need to be upgraded as well).

 

I could see if somebody already had lift coils and wanted a little more by using spacers; but if your just going up 1-2", wouldn't it seem wise to spend a little extra money for the coil springs?

 

I've always thought so. If your truck is almost 10 years old, your springs are going to be sagging and not returning like they did when new. New springs can make a truck feel like it is new again. You won't get that with a spacer. Plus, I think you get more lift with the springs then you do with a spacer. If your springs are sagged, a 3" spacer will give you 3" on top of a sagged spring height. A new spring will give you 3" above what the stock spring height used to be.
Since the install of a spacer versus a new spring is almost identical, I always find it odd that people choose to go with a spacer instead.

 

Yeah, I am in the same boat. Honestly, the only reason I ever contemplated a coil spacer was because I was under the assumption that it just stacked up on top of the shock, and didn't effect the existing shock. That's the only reason why I thought they were so popular; for guys that didn't want to buy new shocks on their trucks, but wanted their front end popped up. Now that I know it's the same thing regardless, it almost seems ignorant to put a coil spacer in. Hell, half the time these spacer kits are similar in price to the coil springs. I am very happy I am going to be leveling my truck with new black power coated coil springs. The lift will have some integrity, plus it's going to restore to the front end like you said Silver. I'm very pleased. I'm also going to purchase a steering stabilizer from BDS to replace the existing now. Should be a very nice upgrade for the truck in the front, I'm pretty excited.

 

I've decided to really take my time when I install the new coil spacers, and invest some extra energy into making it worth my while doing it myself. Once I drop the axle, and slide the old coils out, I am going to disconnect the control arms, sway bar, and sway bar links, thuren track bar, and my reese hitch to be powder coated. It's going to tie the truck up a little longer, but I think it'd be a great opportunity to have it all done up while I have the truck on jack stands. My brother kind of got me excited about that because that's what he's doing right now. He has his truck all apart doing his reverse shackle kit for his truck, and he decided to have his leaf springs, track bar arm, sway bar and links, and a bunch of other oddball u-bolt pieces powder coated; as well as all new polyurethane bushings for the front end. Yes it sucks that his truck will be out for about two weeks, but it's going to be a work of art once it's all finished; so I have to match him lol. I'll take pictures of the project once I get my coils, but I can't start my job until he finishes his truck; we can't have two vehicles down at the same time sadly.

 

For trucks like ours that are nearly 10 years old, replacing the bushings like that makes for a noticeable difference. It's one of those things that you don't realize how bad they have gotten because it happens gradually over time, but after you replace them, it is like a new suspension.

I have Energy Suspension polyurethane bushing all around (sway bar/frame, sway bar/endlinks, control arms, etc...). Though polyurethane is superior to rubber for both the amount of abuse they will take from use and the climate, and for longevity, I did notice that the ride is not the same as with rubber bushings. It is a little harsher and less forgiving. Rubber absorbs the vibrations and shock more softly then polyurethane, and actually makes for a smoother ride. Polyurethane is stiffer. I don't mind it because it's a truck. I don't expect it to ride like a caddy. But not everyone feels that way. Just didn't want you to be suprised if you go that route. Also, poly bushings have a propensity to squeak if not kept lubricated. So if you plan to use poly bushings on your stock control arms, plan for them to be noisy in the future since your stock arms have no grease zerks. My tubular Skyjacker arms are greasable, so I don't have any issues with the poly bushings on the control arms. If I still had stock control arms, i'd probably go with rubber bushing instead.

 

I know what you mean about it stiffening the ride up a little bit. My brother has done many of his suspension components with the energy suspension bushings, and they did have a little less give; but it hardly mattered anyways considering his truck rides stiff as hell anyways. I'm in the same boat as you though, I don't mind if my trucks suspension gets a little stiffer, it's a big truck, and it's what I expect. So if I'm taking my controls arms, sway bar, sway bar links, and track bar out to be powder coated, I'd be able to replace those while I'm in there? Is it something I'm going to be able to do myself, or do I need a press to take them in/out? Are there any other bushings I should consider replacing while I'm in there. I'm damn mad at myself for having the body shop put old cab mounts in my truck. I didn't know anything about polyurethane bushings at the time, and I had the body shop find me used cab mounts...if only I had known I could have them install some fresh polyurethane ones in there.

 

You can put them all in by hand. But again, if you can't grease them, poly will squeak bad. Keep that in mind.