Hiya,

I put a TM leveling kit in my 05 AWD Dakota last year and did it ever ruin the handling on my truck. I drive my truck fast in the Rockies and when I hit a frost heave I fly into space. I would say it is dangerous. When I try to go off road, the truck just washboards out of control.

My question is this. Before I spend even more $ to have a shop take apart my front end and do a wheel alignment again will the Ranchos solve this or should I just take out the TM kit while I am at it.

Am I right in thinking that the TM kit reduces my overall suspension travel?

Please advise.

 

Well, if the TM kit is installed as a spring spacer, then yes, it does limit your suspension travel.

Think of it this way, say your strut, when sitting with the car parked is at "0" and when its fully extended, with the wheels off the ground, thats +5, and when its fully compressed, thats -5. What the TM kit installed as a spring spacer does it put the truck on its "tippie toes" and it sits at +2 or +3, with +5 being the max. It moves where in the suspension travel the truck sits.

So yes, it takes away some suspension travel to achieve the lift. An over the strut kit, does not take use up any suspension travel, but instead it over travels during full extension, or droop. Both kinds of kits have pros and cons.

The TM kit should effect the new rancho struts just like the stock struts, but I think some of the guys have the TM kit and the Ranchos and really like the setup.

 

I don't have a leveling kit, but I do have the Rancho's. Huge improvement. Ride is still soft....but controlled. The oem's were out of control. I would replace your shocks as I don't think the leveling kit makes that much of a difference. Did you get it aligned after the kit install? If not, that part of your problem.

 

That is what I thought regarding travel. A preloaded = stiffer spring as well as almost 2" of less travel in a 4x4 truck... + cr&ppy shocks, I should have known.

A wheel alignment was performed and would only affect tire wear or pulling to the side unless I am missing something.

I phoned Rancho and they said hey do not recommend there shocks for anything other than stock applications. Can someone with the TM leveling kit and Ranchos please comment?

Thanks in advance.

 

"tippie toes"

Heh heh...... you said tippie toes. (in my best Beavis & Butthead voice)

 

My 05 did that before the TM kit, service center replaced OE shocks and added the TM kit and it was much improved. (no aftermarket shocks at the time)

LB

 

I have both the TM and the Ranchos and I have had no problems. The Ranchos improved the handling and did away with the bucking horse ride when I hit a bump. Don't know...Maybe I'll be in for a big surprise when I really hit a good bump going fast. Those Ranchos were the best money I ever spent on my '05. Good Luck.