I have gotten a ton of pms asking me questions about how i built my truck, how it dirves, how i did it on such a budget, etc. etc. etc...

So i figured i would make a thread to answer all the questions, add pics, and answer questions. Plus have a few of my own to get some opinions on a few things.

First and foremost though, i do not want to get a bunch of crap about the decisions that i made about my truck. I have a dedicated trail rig already, and have no need for my daily to be 4x4, so no need to bring that up. And if you dont like my truck, then dont post, i dont care, i love it.

I built my dodge the way i did because it was the way that i could afford to, leaf sprung setups are easy to design and build, regardless of height, with a few catches to that statement, rear pinion angle, and drag link angle. those are the two major issue most high lifters run into. But overall building a leaf spring rig is inexpensive, and reliable.

I have alot of plans for the semi near future on how i plan to upgrade and improve my rig, but for now it drives straight and true, its as smooth as can be expected for being so tall. The turning radius i impressive, and it parks amazingly well. I am going to be posting lots of pics of what i did, and how i did it, what i built and what i bought. Hopefully i answer all of your questions throughout this thread. Enjoy!

 

Are you not going to hook up that front axle????

 

guess i shoulda assumed that heyyou would have a problem imediately! lmao

no, it a 2wd truck, no interest i 4x4. once again its a street truck, just wanted to sit high, because i like it. i am a fan of light trucks off road, thats what my lil isuzu is for! i will not be putting in a tcase or worrying at all about 4x4. it would be pretty easy to do if i wanted to, so the info is very usefull to all the 4x guys out there.

 

Ah, ok.

Considered a beam axle up front, to save a bit of weight?? Or, doesn't that matter either?

 

lol, yea a beam woulda worked, but an 8 lug outer d44 bare housing is much easier, and cheaper to source. so thats what i used! weight... its a 7000 lb hog, whats 20 extra pounds lmao

 

Is it fairly smooth for that much lift and converting to leafs? Or is it rough as crap?

 

How are those Dana 44 Unit/wheel bearings (I don't remember what the axle originally came from) holding up under the weight of that Cummins?

 

It actually rides really well for its size, its a bit rougher out back than i would like it to be... i am probably going to ditch a leaf and run a taller block for now. would never build like that for the trail, but its not a trail rig and i am ok with it. block will only be 4ish inches.

i upgraded all of the inner and outer bearings for timken hd bearings. no problems there.

i am going to be building a custom rear disk brake setup, using my stock front calipers next week. That should be a cool project.

anyone have any experience with hydro assist steering or even full hydro? i am strongly considering that option. i dont like that amount of load that goes onto my steering knuckle with the high angle steering arm. i think that hydro is going to be the way to go.

 

Friend I know went from mechanical power steering, to full hydraulic.... and was absolutely FLOORED at the difference. NO slop, none, zero. Steering didn't self-center as well, but, my truck doesn't anyway...... (and yes, I have a recent alignment.) Only ticklish part there is, is it legal in your state?

I drove the truck with the full hydro, and yeah, that's friggin' nice.

 

geez bro, you respond soooo fast lol.

but good to know. did you drive it on the street/ maybe even highway speeds? rumor has it that is a lil washy?

what system is worth using, that is one thing that i have no experience in setting this up. but seriously planning it now. have a guy to make the lines already and i have tapped ps before, but never on a dodge. just trying to figure out what steering ram to use.