I have noticed that some of you have installed Skyjacker 2.5" lift springs in your trucks to obtain a better ride upfront. Do the spings lift the truck very much, ie a full 2.5"? Is the better ride from the springs not bottoming out or do the Sykjackers have a better spring rate? Are they just standard lift springs or tailored for the diesels?

I ask because my current springs are about 1.5" off the stops and the ride in the front is pretty rough, Cann't even leave my coffee in the cup holders, bounces out. I recently re-discovered a set of old Rancho 3" lift springs that I removed from an old gas truck I used to offroad. These springs in the old gas truck rode pretty rough but am thinking that they may be smother in the CTD truck as the Cummins weighs so much more. Plus I think I mainly need to get the truck up farther away from the stops.

What do you guys think? Would it be worth putting them in? Will these springs handle the wieght of the Cummins and the 9.5ft camper I haul?

Anyone use longer shackles upfront? We used longer shackles upfront for lifted off-road trucks to allow full travel of the spring, thus preventing the shackle from bottoming on the frame and giving a better ride. Thanks for your insight.

 

What all those views and no opinons?

 

I know your pain.

Of all the lift springs I've used in the past, Rancho were always the stiffest, all the other seemed to sag after a period of time or the so called 3" lift went to 2" right after install.

Old rancho springs are probably made of better steel than the current ones. I like rancho's design too, the ends of the second leaf tends to go right up to where the main leafs eyelet is. The leaves were thicker than some of the others as well.

If I were you I'd feel comfortable using the Ranchos, they are probably the best gasser spring you can use on a diesel...but then again, I don't have any experience using gasser springs on diesels.

 

Well I went ahead and installed one side today. Was suprised to see that they lifted the truck a full 3" and a bit. Now my shocks are too short! The old spring pack used 6 thin springs that add up to 2" thick while the Rancho pack uses 5 thick springs which add up to 2.25" thick. Have to do the other side still but they are definetly stiffer than the originals. I used to be able to give the front of the truck a bit of a bounce by pushing down on the front bumper, can't really move it at all now. I'm hoping that the extra weight of the cummins will smooth it out as the ride was pretty rough on previous truck they were on. Was pretty surprised to see it up a full 3" though, was hoping it would be closer to 2". Its perfectly level with the rear now which is ok now when its empty but its going to look funny when I put the camper on and the back end drops.

For anyone who cares the front was originanlly 37 5/8" and is now just under 41".

The other problem I have is that the front eye bolt for the leaf spring is bigger on the Cummins than the bushings allow for on Rancho springs, probably due to the HD suspension and Dana 60 axle. I have a smaller bolt in there now but will have to so something about it as I'm afraid it will move around in the holes on the frome bracket and get worn down.

 

Well for anyone who is interested I finished installing the springs today. Not what I was hoping for. Ended up with about 3.5" of lift which is about 1.5" higher than the back. Also the ride is marginally better but not what I was hoping for. Those leafs are pretty thick and all that lift threw my steering wheel out by about a half turn. Oh well I had them anyway so it didn't cost anything, just my time. Might try making a custom leaf pack by mixing some of the old leafs in with the new ones.

 

I love my skyjackers. They leveled my truck and gave me a good ride. It was well worth the $250 I spent on them. Lifted my front end about 3.5" and still holding strong.

Paws

 

Moog super duty sure did a good job on my rig. All is level



92 3/4 long bed LE Banks BDBrake Moog super duty K&N Frantz by pass oil filter 156,000

 

clayh, how did the ride end up? You only mentioned the geometry. I may get springs this summer and have been leaning towards the Skyjacker's. Had the tranny, t-case, driveshafts, plates and cross members out of my truck, and springs never budged.

 

Well I drove around for about three days with them before pulling tham out. Super rough, worse than stock.

In the end I pulled both leafs packs apart an replaced the 2nd spring in my stock pack with the 2nd spring from the rancho pack. The truck now sits level with the back(unloaded) and the ride is improved, still not great but an improvment. I don't think I'm bottoming out anymore.

My next step will be rear air bags and removal of the rear overload springs. I will reasess the ride after that and may go with Skyjacker springs upfront or possibly air ride upfront as well.

 

Good to know. I had added a leaf all the way around, and it was a waste of money.