Well, pretty sure I've decided to just stick a spacer on the springs, as I'll probably never go bigger than 33's, and dont really offroad too hard. Just the occasional mud-field. I see levelling kits from 1 inch - 2.5, 3 inches...What is the actual measurement to make the front level? Would I be safer just measuring it from center cap to the fender opening, on the front and rear and buying a spacer to raise it that much? I'll probably replace all 4 shocks and the steering stabilizer when I do it. Just couldn't find what size is the actual levelling spacer.

 

So far I have a 2wd with a 2" leveling kit (urethane spacer on top of the coil spring) and went to a 285/75/16 mud tire (Summit Mudd dawg) and it has a little rub at full lock. I have looked and it is rubbing the plastic inner fender on the rear inner most corner. This is not a issue to me, but might be to some. I leveled mine to run a bigger tire due to needing the ground clearance on a hill where I hunt. Plus I liked the look. The ride was a little better to me. I did have to realine the front end. While I was at it I replaced all the ball joints and the pitman arm. Every tire is different though. I ran a set of 285/75/16 maxxis buckshot mudders and they never rubbed on my truck. This could be a issue to look at when saying what size tire to get. The gears in my truck are stock as of now. They seem to be a little high for the tire size, but only really noticeable at cruising speed where it seems like it is in to high of a gear at times.

 

Oh don't be silly now, spacers are Chinese junk. What you need is a suspension that uses Coilovers/rebuildable shocks, links, a handful of heims, emulsion/nitro bump stops, limit straps, engine cage, cab cage, bed cage, arms, I beams, bent/extended beams, and a lot of speed.










Just kiddin bekins, a spacer will probably work just perfect for your needs.

 

I think we should talk about 4x4 steering upgrades too (tie rod, drag link). Seems like this goes hand in hand with lifting trucks and running bigger tires and whatnot.

I have read about being able to bolt up 03+ HD parts on 00-01 1500, but its still unclear to me.
Maybe someone has beefed up their steering and can tell how.

 

I replaced my aging "y" setup with the 98.5 1 ton "crossover" steering. While it isn't some Uber trick looking setup, it seems to fit my needs. I believe it's one of my better mods.
The crossover setup eliminates the passenger side TREs direct connection with the pitman arm. This stops the toe in from changing as your suspension cycles and nearly eliminates bump steer. That's probably why the factory set up doesn't use a steering stabilizer. The other benefit is that once you've set your toe in, you can lift or lower your truck and the setting doesn't change.
Other's have reported increased steering input from this installation. I agree. Or rather, my gf says the truck actually turns now when she turns the steering wheel. If she's happy I'm orgas...eerr estatic!
Finally, it elminates that silly "drunken grin look" of the factory setup which tends to get caught on rocks alot easier.
One misnomer though, the TREs themselves aren't any beefier in diameter then the 1500's.

One last thing I should mention...and this is important. As you lift your truck, you should be aware that increasing angles on your pitman arm/tre assembly and track bar increases your steering input and bump steer, along with component wear. If you look at a stock 4x4 ram, you will notice most of thes components run pretty parallel to the front axle.
SOOOO...anytime you start lifting your truck, you should consider modding or replacing pieces that restore that parallel geometry to your system.

 

I posted a thread about this just a while back and got a lot of great advice. Now coming in on thursday i've got ordered a 3" kit consisting mainly of font spacers, rear add-a-leafs and some brackets and stabilizers and such. As well as new rancho extended nitrogen shocks all the way around. And a set of 33 inch m/t tires. Needless to say its gonna be a long weekend I think eventually i'll order a body lift as well cause i like the look quite a bit. One question i have is if i go with a three inch body lift from perf. accesories will it require alot of work extending lines and relocating things and such? Would it be safer to go with a 2"? Thanks for any advice

 

Hate to post a link to another forum, but....
Is anyone aware of this? I havent seen info on it here on DF.

I will let you fill in the blank...

http://www.*********.com/forums/showthread.php?t=319589

 

I haven't seen anything from them for a 1500 yet.

 

So much work and money for so little wheel travel.

 

It's a long arm kit, so wheel travel should be decent. Just needs the sway bar to disconnect.