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Some Q's About Susp. Components
Hi, I had a few questions regarding adding a 2 inch lift to my truck. I do alot of driving on some really rough dirt roads almost daily just to get to work. Holes and washboards are everywhere and my original suspension/shocks are no longer cutting it for me. What would be the best way to go about this. All I want is 2 inches for some extra clearance with Edelbrock IAS and then I'm going to add 20 inch rims with some nice wide meaty tires because I like that look and I believe that combination will keep me from "bottoming out" so easily on the big bumps.
. I hear that adding the front springs from a 2500 will give about 2 inches of lift but make your ride considerably stiffer, would this be a such a bad tradeoff since it is a heavier-duty spring? I also see that on Ebay there is a "2 inch leveling kit" that is just a 2 inch spacer for my softer original 1500 spring. Well these would be the same thing correct? Just one is stiffer and more heavy duty than the other? What do you reccomend? Would you reccomend just adding 2 inches in the front (considered leveling to some), or should I do a 2 inch add-a-leaf in the rear as well? With adding 2 inches is it a must that I replace any oter components for this to work correctly? I was thinking 2 inches would be fine and anything over 2 would require new components? Also I have many grease zerts all over the front swaybars/steering linkage of my truck. Most of the rubber boots that hold grease are busted and no longer hold any grease for long, how can I repair these rubber boots? |
RE: Some Q's About Susp. Components
anyone?
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RE: Some Q's About Susp. Components
ORIGINAL: gr898 Hi, I had a few questions regarding adding a 2 inch lift to my truck. I do alot of driving on some really rough dirt roads almost daily just to get to work. Holes and washboards are everywhere and my original suspension/shocks are no longer cutting it for me. What would be the best way to go about this. All I want is 2 inches for some extra clearance with Edelbrock IAS and then I'm going to add 20 inch rims with some nice wide meaty tires because I like that look and I believe that combination will keep me from "bottoming out" so easily on the big bumps. . I hear that adding the front springs from a 2500 will give about 2 inches of lift but make your ride considerably stiffer, would this be a such a bad tradeoff since it is a heavier-duty spring? I also see that on Ebay there is a "2 inch leveling kit" that is just a 2 inch spacer for my softer original 1500 spring. Well these would be the same thing correct? Just one is stiffer and more heavy duty than the other? What do you reccomend? Would you reccomend just adding 2 inches in the front (considered leveling to some), or should I do a 2 inch add-a-leaf in the rear as well? With adding 2 inches is it a must that I replace any oter components for this to work correctly? I was thinking 2 inches would be fine and anything over 2 would require new components? Also I have many grease zerts all over the front swaybars/steering linkage of my truck. Most of the rubber boots that hold grease are busted and no longer hold any grease for long, how can I repair these rubber boots? With 2" lifts/leveling kits, the only thing you might want to replace is your shocks. Go with a shock that is rated for 1-3" of lift. Other then that, there really isn't anything you need to change. An AAL is nice, but probably not necessary. If you think you need one, first go out and measure the distance from the ground to the fender. Do this on the front and rear. If the front is less the 2" shorter then the rear, you will probably want an AAL to keep the rear from looking like it is lower then front. The trade-off of an AAL is it makes the rear stiffer. That can be kinda bad on washboardy dirt roads like you described. You can gain 2" or even more from adding 2500 coils, but again the trade-off is a stiffer ride. I know of no way to repair a bad boot other then replacing it. Or, if the leak is not that bad, just keep grease in it all the time, and you'll be fine. |
RE: Some Q's About Susp. Components
going with 20 inch rims is a terrible idea. not only will they get damaged by the potholes, they will also ride much harsher. go smaller on rim size if you want to prevent damage and have it ride better.
2500 coils are not necessarily different. the ones used with the 5.9L motor are the same as the 1500, the 2500 coils used with the V10 and diesel are very stiff to compensate for the extra 800 pounds or so up front. your truck will be, again, even worse over the bumps. just look for regular lift coils from skyjacker or your brand of preference. or add coil spacers if you want a few more inches. dont go stiffer. same with the rear. add a leafs are going to make it extremely stiff, especially if you dont regularly have a heavy load in the back. you're thinking in the wrong directions. |
RE: Some Q's About Susp. Components
you didnt list how many miles your truck has, either. if you want specific help, you need to post specific information about your truck.
if the boots have gotten to that bad of shape, your tie rod ends are most likely shot too. and if they're not, they will be soon with no grease and a bunch of dirt getting in there. i added up all the stuff before, you'd be looking around $200-$300 or so for all the crap for the steering--drag link, 2 tie rod ends, tie rod, and two adjusting sleeves. |
RE: Some Q's About Susp. Components
I would agree that if your boots are torn, your tie-rods are probably shot as well. I would also agree that adding 20's is definitely NOT going to help your off-road performance at all. Larger rims and skinnier tires are for the street to prevent the sidewall flex in corners. Trade-off is that on bumps or pot-holes, you run a much greater risk of damaging your actual rim resulting in a very costly repair.
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RE: Some Q's About Susp. Components
i think you need to consider putting your money into replacing all your susp. components with better bushings etc. like these guys are saying. pretty much, 2 inches is gonna give you a harsher ride unless you only do the front leveling kit. just put taht money into some nice stock size shocks and get high grade boots and stuff, thatll be the smoothest ride you can get.
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RE: Some Q's About Susp. Components
Heck ya, thanks for the information ya'll, My truck has 134,000 miles on it now and is in pretty good shape other than my front U-Joints going out on me. I believe the rest of it is in my signature. Thank you
98 1500, 5.2L 4x4 Extended Cab |
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