Hopefully someone can steer me in the right direction here!

I need to raise the front end of my truck 1-2 inches.

What, other than new lifted leaf springs would be an acceptable way to do it?

I have always heard that lift blocks betwixt axle and spring is a No-No on the front end. And Shackles don't seem to be the answer either.

Can anyone help me with a cheap but solid solution here?

Thanks

 

You could us these.......but i dought that it would give you 2"
http://www.timbren.com/

 

May I ask whay you don't want to do the springs? I have just about finished the rear spring replacement, and will be starting on the fronts soon. I bought the complete kit from skyjacker. I don't think just the front springs would be that costly. My fronts are sagged to the point where they are constantly frowning. With the skyjacker 2.5 lift its supposed to level the truck and provide better ride quality. A steering arm is not required for the 2.5" kit, but you may need the adjustable drag link. I am also taking the time to clean prep and paint everything wit POR-15. If you were not doing all the refinishing the springs could be swapped on a Saturday.

 

Why not lift springs? I think that they are your best option. Add-a-leafs will make it really stiff. Lift block are nopt only dangerous in the front, they are illegal.

 

I'm doing a vintage Dodge diesel conversion and needed more front spring to hold up the B engine. Eaton Detroit Spring made me some new 1,500 lbs front leafs at $400 for both sides and they're very well made, with new bushings. Real happy with them. Online site, too.

 

If you NEED 2 inches, you'll probablly need 4 inch springs. I don't think guys have been getting a full 2 inches from the after market companies. I added a leaf to mine all the way around, and it didn't really help the bend. Just raised it the thicknes of 1 leaf spring. I wanted to tighten it up for plowing though. The "set" occurs right at the eye of the top spring. ANy leaves added dont' reach that far anfd if they did, they might risk causing it to shear off with the hanger right there. If you have new ones built, have that first one built heavy. I think that's what Chaikwa did and his doesn't seem to droop.

 

My new springs and bushings cost around $350 for the front set. And they did give me a solid 2in lift. There is actually room between the bumpstops now. lol

Other than that there is no cheap way to safely lift the front. You could do airbags, but that will be more than new springs.

 

Where did you buy your springs...direct from Skyjacker? Did you also replace your front shocks, too? Front lift spring are next, after I install the Hughes T/C that's waiting in a box.

 

4 wheel parts wholesalers. and no kept stock shocks.

 

apwatson50, how much room do you have now? i have about 1/2 an inch right now.

 

Pretty simple really. I'm just a cheap.....skate! I'd get into how much money I've dumped into this truck versus how little I've driven it, but that's a story for a different day!

Really the only reason I need any lift is because my 33x12.50x16.5 BFG's rub in tight turns and are ripping the heck out of my fender flares. Plus it will make it level with the back. I honestly never even bothered looking for new springs for two reasons. One I figured they probably didn't even exist, and two if they did exist I just knew they'd be outrageous. But after reading everyone elses experiences, I'm gonna go surf!

Thanks everyone

 

FYI I should have some pictures put up in my profile of the front spring install. I have started disassembling the front suspension. My fronts are totally worn out and have a constant frown. The skyjacker part numbers for the kit with a 2.5" front and .5" rear lift, I bought are: whole kit which includes springs, u-bolts, bushings is D292CDKS, front spring p/n is D200CS, rear spring is DR60S (page 100 in skyjacker catalog.) Note that this kit totally removes the rear lift block!

I would guess it will take me about two weeks to install the springs, detail & paint the frame, front axle, and install new brake lines. I will let you all know when I post more pictures.

 

Keep us updated on the install of these springs. I was thinging along the same line of replacing the front and rear springs with that kit exactly. I want to know if the ride will improve in the rear, if not I would probably just do the fronts. Also did you order your kit directly from skyjacker or go through someone else. Summit will not even be able to ship them until 10/26. I have found out through the years I'm not patient when it comes to ordering parts and having to wait for very long.

 

That's what I have on mine and couldn't be happier with it! The truck sits just a tad higher than stock with the rear slightly above instead of below the front. Getting rid of those blocks is a great idea. Good solid feel to it, less wheel hop. Highly recommended.

 

Hot Rod,

I ordered my skyjacker kit through the local 4WD shop, Great Lakes Truck Outfitters. Its a new guy here in my home town which is trying to build custom offroad trucks and also doing diesel performance. They also ordered the twin steering stablizer, and timbrens rubber springs for the front and rear. We are going to play with the setup of the timbrens and really use them as heavy duty bump stops. Ask for Jeremy, he is the owner. He was able to match summits pricing, actually a little better, but delivery was about a five days. 18668782521