"Nod a good idea to level these trucks"?!
#22
03-18-2012, 11:08 PM
Professional
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: Pa
Posts: 206
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I bought my truck with 23000 miles in 2008. I now have 144000 miles. I did the Torsion bar crank the same day I bought it. Leveled the truck completely, prob the 2" or so. It is maxed though.
Components that I have replaced since owning the ram that have failed:
Suspension
Drivers side Hub assembly 120,000
all 4 Shocks (maintenance)100,000
Both lower ball joints 110,000 and 125,000
Passenger side upper ball joint 105,000
Drivetrain
Rear most U-joint 120,000
Transmission back-up module (warranty)94,000
Other
Fuel Pump 135,000
EGR 120,000
Exhaust Manifold bolts 125,000
Spark Plugs 60,000, 90,000, 120,000
Spark plug wires 135,000
Fuse Box 80,000
Seat cushions 140,000
Cant remember what sensor, it is located on the passenger side of the engine. Underneath the exhaust manifold 130,000
Honestly I am pretty damn happy with what has failed and what useage I got out of them. I use my truck pretty hard. I "offroad" 20% of the time. I work on cell tower equipment and spend time in the mountains.
Components that I have replaced since owning the ram that have failed:
Suspension
Drivers side Hub assembly 120,000
all 4 Shocks (maintenance)100,000
Both lower ball joints 110,000 and 125,000
Passenger side upper ball joint 105,000
Drivetrain
Rear most U-joint 120,000
Transmission back-up module (warranty)94,000
Other
Fuel Pump 135,000
EGR 120,000
Exhaust Manifold bolts 125,000
Spark Plugs 60,000, 90,000, 120,000
Spark plug wires 135,000
Fuse Box 80,000
Seat cushions 140,000
Cant remember what sensor, it is located on the passenger side of the engine. Underneath the exhaust manifold 130,000
Honestly I am pretty damn happy with what has failed and what useage I got out of them. I use my truck pretty hard. I "offroad" 20% of the time. I work on cell tower equipment and spend time in the mountains.
#23
03-19-2012, 10:29 PM
Registered User
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: Saskatchewan Canada
Posts: 11
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
There is ALWAYS a risk of premature wear with any lift kit and as I said, because a Level Kit doesn't account for suspension angles it's riskier than proper lift kits. But the risk is increased with height. "Specs" say you can run the CVs up to about a 20% angle which would equal about 1 1/2", but most never have a problem with 2". Hell I'm waiting for someone with 3" of level to come on and say they never had a problem - but it's all relative and the chances of issues increases as the height/weight of wheels/tires, etc. increases.
Level Kits have always been called a "Poor Man's Lift" for a reason and you can't reasonably expect the level of performance out of a free or $100 lift that a $1500-2000 lift can achieve...
Level Kits have always been called a "Poor Man's Lift" for a reason and you can't reasonably expect the level of performance out of a free or $100 lift that a $1500-2000 lift can achieve...
#24
03-19-2012, 10:49 PM
No one would sell level kits for IFS trucks if they positively did damage, if your cv joints or diff fails, who's to say it didnt **** the bed for some other reason. That is the purpose for CV joints is to compensate for angles, look at an ATV, reason why they use CV shafts instead of U-joints. Nuff said.
A little naive, aren't we??? Manufacturer specs on the CV axles tolerances are -/+ 20* - look it up...
They sell high angle CVs - I HAVE A SET ON MY ATV. Why do Jeep off-roaders replace CVs with Double Cardan Joints? (Google it)
The number of front end failures support that the chances are greater if you have a level kit - no doubt about it, I've been doing suspension work for almost 20 years.
Will you have a failure due to your 3" level kit? Maybe not, but the chances are simply higher.
Now I'm about the most PRO LIFT guy on this site, but the fact is lifting a truck puts more stress on front end components - and someone should understand that beforehand...
#25
03-19-2012, 10:53 PM
Professional
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: Alabama
Posts: 126
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
2008 Ram 1500 3" level in front, 2.5" blocks in rear, 88,000kms on this with ZERO problems, and I am from Saskatchewan, so in 4X4 for most of the winter. No one would sell level kits for IFS trucks if they positively did damage, if your cv joints or diff fails, who's to say it didnt **** the bed for some other reason. That is the purpose for CV joints is to compensate for angles, look at an ATV, reason why they use CV shafts instead of U-joints. Nuff said.
#26
03-20-2012, 02:53 AM
Professional
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: Pa
Posts: 206
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Hey it is a crap shoot. Generally most components are also manufactured under different circumstances, even in the same plant. Hell even some guys get too drunk before work and pay less attention than needed. Just watch the movie 8 mile. We all participate in the crapshoot when we buy a vehicle manufactured from somebody else.
Same reason I won't Bungee jump. Im afraid they drank too much the night before. I have skydived 16 times. Easier when the person is strapped to you and remembers the consequences when packing the shute.
Same reason I won't Bungee jump. Im afraid they drank too much the night before. I have skydived 16 times. Easier when the person is strapped to you and remembers the consequences when packing the shute.
Last edited by slakker25rs; 03-20-2012 at 02:57 AM.