Howdy All,

I checked the archives and it seems no one has asked the exact questions that are burnin'in my mind...sooooooo...

My truck rides pretty(way too) low all around for a 4x4...

It only has an about inch of clearance between the front bump stops and the axle.

My tires are around 31.5 tall,and they scrape fender (sometimes) at full lock with a bump.

First question...how much clearance(between axle and stops) should it have in the front,stock?
Anybody have the measurement between the axle center(lockout hub)and the fender lip for a (close to) stock W250 Reg Cab?

Second Q...would a 2.5 inch lift be enough to run 33" tall tires and not have to modify the fenders?
Would I have to change anything to run a 2.5 inch lift? Shocks? Driveshafts? Steering correction(pitman or somethin')? I'm thinkin'not...

Third Q...how much lift would I need to run 35" or even 37" inch tall tires?
Would 4 inches be enough? What would I have to change besides shocks?
I figure I'd need about an inch and a half of driveshaft length for a 4 inch lift. Is there enough length in the slip joints for that?
How about any other stuff? I'd need a pitman arm,right?
With a 6 inch I'd definitly have to correct the steering and lengthen the driveshafts,right?

Fourth Q... where is the best(read cheapest)place to get a lift kit...how about a system(front and rear springs)?

Final question...once I re-gain what's left of my sanityand come back to reality...what's the best (again,cheapest) way to get it back to stock (or a little better) height?


As always guys,thanks for your input,wisdom,and experiences...

Vinny

 

#1 Mine had less than 1”. New didn’t have much more.

#2 New 2.5” Skyjacker springs let me run 33” easy. I can bolt 35x12.50 on, but they will rub at full turn.

#3 4” should easily fit 35” tires. Definitely have to lengthen front shaft. Rear shaft should probably be OK. To do it right, you should buy a drop Pitman arm, yes. With my 2.5” front and 3” rear (same kit only adds 2" to rear for '92 and later due to the difference in stock block height) lift, I have my stock brake hoses at their limit with axles at full droop, so 4” will require new hoses to be safe.

#4 Summit or Jegs has the best prices on the Skyjacker stuff. Skyjacker can sell you everything you need as a package.

#5 Add-a-leaves or re-arching the springs might be the cheapest way to get some more height, but will not improve ride quality or performance..except for getting the front end off of the bump stops.

 

DDD,

Do you have a part# from when you bought your front springs?

Jeg's website only shows leaf springs for Brand C's,and Summit only shows one Skyjacker lift kit(no springs at all)for a Jeep.[confused]
Although if I input the part# for the 1 inch springs it comes back with a listing.

I'm thinkin'new front springs,and lift blocks with new U bolts in the rear to level it.
That should keep me from having to make a withdrawal from my local convienence store.

Vinny

 

Aren't you already in Joliet??

 

Skyjacker part number for 2.5" leaf spring pair is D200C. D=Dodge, 2=2.5”, C=Cummins. Summit part number is SJA-D200C @ $329.95. My 2.5” Skyjacker springs netted me 3” over the worn-out stock springs, and they haven’t sagged since installation. You’ll love the new ride. Before, I would hit my head off the roof of the cab just driving down I-95. Now, it still bounces like a truck, but it never compresses my spine or launches me out of the seat.

 

DDD,

Thanks for the info,that's just what I needed.

That discription of being launched into the air sounds very familier...

Hey Alec,you've watched the "Blues Brothers" too many times...

Joliet may be "Prison City",but the whole city isn't a prison camp... ...yet...

Vinny