VikingDiesel

OK, well I've finally came decided with 35" tires with either an 18" or 20" wheel (most likely 18" tho) I want to do a little more than leveling, maybe like a 4.5" lift MAX. I've been looking at Topguncustomz 4.5" lift kits for like $800 to $1000 3" skyjacker kit or $1,085 Lorenz Bilstein kit or the Carli starter system suspension which I think is also around a $1,000. This will be pretty much an ALL-HIGHWAY and city truck. NO OFF-roading. Smooth ride is a huge thing for me, I hate bouncing around when I hit minor bumps and pot holes. So a few questions?

1. Seems like the LORENZ/CARLI kit is only a 2" lift with leaf springs/spring and shocks while the others are 3" to 4" kits with control arms and many more things, what exactly do I need?
2. Do blocks and an actually extra leaf spring make a difference? The LORENZ/CARLI seems to have leafs while other others have blocks?
3.What kit would you recommended for occassional 5k lbs towing?
4. If Lorenz/Carli is actually a much better ride and better buy, which one to go with?

boysrus

VikingDiesel,

I recently installed a 4.5" FabTech kit to fit 35's on 18's. The Fabtech kit seemed really well built and went together well, but when it was all said and done, I didn't like the ride. It felt like a 2 1/2 ton! I think the lift kit companies focus more on the looks than the ride. I ended up contacting Don Thuren and he's helped me get the ride quality back. If I had it to do all over again, I would have started with the Carli starter kit, or called Don from the beginning. I would have ended up with a better system for less than I'm investing now (buying some parts twice).

To answer part of your question, the Carli leaf packs added about 1" on my truck. I'm also running 2" blocks, but that's to keep a little rake since I often have a load in the back. I'm running the Fabtech springs (really too stiff, but I can live with them for now) and King 2.5 shocks in the front. After I rebuild my cash supply, I hope to put 2.5 Kings on the back and go with Don's custom coils up front. The front shocks and rear leaf packs really improved the ride from the Fabtech set-up - so I'm anxious to see what the next will do.

Jeff

VikingDiesel

good to know, I want a nice smooth ride and NOT a bouncy/stiff one.

VikingDiesel

How would the 2.5" skyjacker kit be with the add-a-leaf and the control arms, bumps stops and new springs?? All its missing are shock which I would slap on the bilsteins which then should be pretty much the same setup as the Lorenz/Carli??



http://www.marketworks.com/storefron...42&i=126659256

TX_Diesel

If you want ride quality, I would go with Thuren from the beginning. I've heard nothing but good things about the quality of the components and the quality of the ride.

Plus, he's alsways on here to help out, I've never read about a skyjacker/fabtech rep helping out on the site.

my 2 cents.

rustyshakelford

i heard those springs start to sag in less than a year?

brett

ptgarcia

That Skyjacker kit needs to ditch the control arms and supply a track bar instead. There's no need for new control arms with only 2.5" of lift, but you do need a longer trackbar to center the axle once lifted. But start creeping over 3" and you're going to need longer arms also. And the add-a-leaf is going to stiffen up the rear even more than stock. I'd stay away from that kit.

If a smooth ride is a high priority avoid any off the shelf kit 'cause they're not going to give you one. But a smooth ride means a custom suspension system, and that means Thuren, Carli or Lorenz. My preference is Don Thuren. Just do it, you won't regret it.

firemansdiesel

I agree 110% w/ptgarcia. Of course I am partial to Lorenz Suspension. Good luck w/ your selection.

DECEPTiON21

I am getting my Carli system installed tomorrow. By tomorrow evening, i'll have an answer for you as to whether i like or absolutely love the kit. For my budget, I was able to go with any of the off-the-shelf lift kits or with the custom setups from Carli, Lorenz, Thuren. I went with a custom setup because i heard the stories of suspensions (fabtech, superlift, procomp) being super stiff compared to the others. Depending on where you get it, the Carli Starter is around 1250 for parts. If you have any questions, you can always call the guys at Carli/Lorenz/Thuren and they are very personable and anxious to help.

These systems will give you the best ride out there and you can always upgrade without having to rebuy parts like boysrus did.

DECEPTiON21

Here is the thread from when i was looking at which setup to go with

https://www.dieseltruckresource.com/...hlight=fabtech

VikingDiesel

Whats the site for Thuren, do they have any pacakages liek Carli/Thuren ? So if I go with skyjacker, pro comp, fabtech.....etc, might at as well keep it stock b/c those setups sucks are my truck will ride even more stiff then now, but inseatd get the CARLI/LORENZ kit or I can even get the 2" leveling spacer w/ Bilsteins 5100 and still be better than stock, correct?

ptgarcia

Correct.

Here's a link to Don Thuren's website:

ThurenFab

You're not going to find "packages" per se on Don's site, but he'll put one together for you based on what you need. I suggest you call Don and explain what you're looking for. If you'd rather not call, send him an email. Give him a day to respond because he doesn't answer emails while in the shop. He may not answer his phone either if his hands are full so be sure to leave a message. He has always called me back and returned my emails.

Pooter

Heres my .02, just from my experience.

I bought and installed a superlift 4.5" lift, got it for $1200~, with the bilstien 5100 upgrade on shocks. The kit fits well, I have had NO death wobble issues at all, and in my opinion was a good bang for the buck. HOWEVER, if I could do it over again, id save up the extra money and go with Thuren, just from a ride quality standpoint. My truck doesnt ride horrible, but not as well as id like it. And since I already spent my time putting on the lift, im keeping it, but I will be hitting up Don for some springs up front, and leaf springs out back to help the ride some. But other than that, its been a great kit for the money.

Im not sure how much Dons complete kits are, but to me, from what I hear from everyone else that has his products, its worth it.


The same can be said about the Lorenz products as well, great ride, and a all around good product.

firemansdiesel

Email Sean and he'll email back or give him your phone and within 24 hrs. he will contact you.

Lorenz Suspension website-
www.lorenzindustries.com

VikingDiesel

Lets start off, with: WHAT LOOKS BEST w/ 35" tires/ 18" wheels?

1. 2" leveling?
2. 2.5" front, 1" rear
3. 3-4.5" and about 2" rear

Please post pics of ONLY 35" tires.