IraPatterson

Hey Everyone,
As I am sure many of you who are interested in this sort of thing know that lifts kits for our diesel first gens are hard to find and expensive. In fact, the only company I have seen that actually makes them approved for diesel engines is Skyjacker.

Why will the gas engine ones not work? Did they really use that heavier springs in the front end? I am just curious because the lift kits for gasser can be had for half the money and was thinking maybe I could just add a leaf or so in the front.

I have a hard time believing that Dodge would have used different springs. I would think they made springs strong enough to hold the diesels, and then just used those springs across the board. Of course, I suppose that is not saying anything for the after market companies...

Thanks.

Ilikebikes

Dodge used heavier springs in the front. What does a gas engine weigh, maybe 600 lbs tops? The diesel is pretty much twice that weight.

Anyway, when I first got my truck it had some very flat front springs. Upon further inspection, they were skyjackers. These were so flat/reverse arched that they must have been made for gas trucks. Once I put on the 2" skycrapper for the diesel... oh what a difference! If I had to do it again, I might go with an AAL. The skyjunkers are pretty pricey, but the truck sure does ride a lot better now. Yes, it still rides like a brick, but its 100x better than stock, flat springs.

IraPatterson

I really do not care about the ride all that much. The sidewalls on a 37" tire for 16" rims are tall enough that they will take up a good portion of the... Not so nice of ride. Besides, it is a truck. and I get disappointed if a truck does not ride like a truck (which is why I do not like Fords). In addtion, if I want to ride in comfort, I have a Mercedes.

AAL? I have never heard of them. Do you have a website or someplace I could check them out at? My search engines are not bringing anything up.

Thanks.

Ilikebikes

AAL = Add a leaf. Sorry for not being clear. I think it would be worth a shot to try an AAL in the front. If they don't work you won't be out much.

If you don't care about the ride, the first thing I would try would be longer shackles. Sure, it will throw the steering geometry off a little bit, but you can make them for next to nothing and I don't think it will throw the geometry off enough to be much of a concern. I'd make a pair, toss 'em on and if you get death wobble, look for something else.

IraPatterson

AAL=Add-A-Leaf... Hehehe... Sorry about that! . 20-year-old blonde male at work here! Lol.

That is a good idea. I only want to go two inches, and despite 340,000 miles, my springs are holding up nicely. I did add a leaf in the fronts already to get rid of the dago look when I first got the truck but that was it. I could try a shackle lift (or maybe even revolver shackles) in the front, and add-a-leafs in the back. I know there are body-lifts but they scare me and I want to get the frame up too.

Any other input, advice or thoughts? Thank you so much for the help!

Ilikebikes

I'd stay as far away from body lifts as I could!

I've built a few toyota crawlers and done a solid axle swap on a few trucks. This requires cutting and welding sleeves in the frame and hangers on the front. Obviously, its impossible to get everything as straight as it came from the factory because I don't have any jigs. Those trucks I've had all drove pretty well. A good alignment will go a long way towards getting a truck to drive well. I, personally, would go with AALs in the rear and shackles up front for a low buck alternative to pricey (and, IMO, low quality) skyjacker springs.

I would try an inch or 2 over stock, preferably with some 1/2" plate and gussets in the middle. If you have a chop saw and a drill press you should be able to make them for next to nothing... a price that I like! I can't beleive the flimsy stock dodge shackles hold up to the weight of a CTD!

Only other option I could think of would be going to a local spring shop and seeing what they can make for you, but I am sure those will be pricey.

IraPatterson

Yeah, the spring shop would be more than the Skyjacker kit.

I know this makes me sound cheap; however, I am not a professional rock crawler or anything. My truck is on paved road 90% of the time, and I do not need, nor can I warrant $1,000 plus for a lift kit. In all honesty, if I kept my eyes open, I could do an adjustable air suspension for that kind of money. I really do not even want a lift kit, it is just where I settled on Super Swampers (which are a true 37” tall compared to like BFGoodrich where a 37” is only 35” tall) I need one to fit the tires.

Do you think I could get two inches of lift on the front with just longer shackles? Is there anything special I should keep in mind while doing add-a-leafs?

Ilikebikes

If you can get a piece that is 3" or so longer than stock, cut 3 holes. One 1" longer, another at 2", etc. I'm not too sure how much longer they will have to be, but 2" should be attainable.

DodgerDoob

I used the Skyjacker 4/2 lift. The kit was less than five hundred and the installation is pretty straight forward. i know that Rancho also makes lifts for first Gens. I run 33's and will go to 35's when these are worn out, but I don't think 37 would fit and I have 4 inches of lift.