you need to lower your hanger berring on the 4x4 skyjacker recomends it with any lift with a 2 part drive shaft

 

is this center/carrier/hanger bearing also the cause of a 68~70 horrific drone?

my truck roars like going over a section of bad road from 68~70.

and it shudders pretty good on take off.

my 04 4x4 shuddered in 2nd, i figured this was DC's fix, move it to 1st gear?

mine is 4x2 3500 SRW ~1500 miles, shudder is not noticable by other people, but is annoying to me to shimmy away from a stop light with that bank note.

68~70 mph drone is KILLING the wife, though

 

My truck has had a 0-5mph shudder from day one (empty). It feels like an old frozen up u-joint. But this was so minor compared to the massive vibration from the oem General tires, that I have just lived with it for 7k miles. Dealer had the new truck for 2 days trying to fix the tire vibe, and only reduced it. I had to fix it myself by paying Discount tire $1k for 6 new Michelins. Problem solved!!

When I tow my toy hauler, the shudder is nearly gone. Otherwise, it's a great truck.

Ken

2006 3500, QC, 4x4, DRW, 48re, 4:10, Jake brake, AFE 2, MBRP muffler, Quad ordered.

 

Sounds like you have more problems than just the launch shudder. If you wanted to do a bit of trial and error, you could try to see if the drone goes away when you put a 1/2" or so shim under the carrier bearing. In all the time I spent doing various combinations to get rid of the launch shudder, I never did get a drone like you describe, and I had some fairly steep driveline angles with some of the combinations. I realize mine is a 4x4, not a 4x2.

I think a trip to the dealer may be in order for the 68 MPH drone issue, and if they actually want to tackle the launch shudder, then great. Somehow I think you may hear the words "characteristic of the vehicle" about the launch shudder however.

I know what you mean by it being annoying. My wife couldn't notice it either, but it drove me crazy.

 

That's because the increased payload lowers the frame over the axle and has the effect of bringing the driveline angle back to a less-binding relationship.

 

Best way to solve this problem is to get a new driveshaft that is one piece. You can get shops to make you a new one for around 200 bucks balanced and everything. This is a common problem for lifting trucks that have a carrier bearing with a 2 piece drive shaft. They will cut off your old yokes from existing shaft and weld to new tube. It will solve all of these problems. I hope this helps some people

 

So, all I have to do to keep the driveline angles correct, is to never unhook from my trailer. Funny, my F-250 never had the problem, with or without the same trailer. Good job DC!!!

 

Actually, Dodge designed the truck on the assumption it would be used for it's intended purpose - carrying/hauling heavy loads. That's why you see them sitting at the dealers with the rear-high stance, and why the 2" front leveling kits have been popular. The U-joints do prefer a load on the rear springs or a spacer for the driveshaft carrier bearing. (the carrier bearing is significantly lighter and cheaper, and more permanent - than towing a trailer )

 

I love how all dodge dealers are FIVE STAR!!!!!!!!!!

They all suck!!!!!!!!!!!

 

After all this time I FINALLY convinced the guy with the truck I'm working on to install air bags and the problem is solved. I shimmed the rear three different angles, and the center using three different brackets. You COULD NOT get the best of both worlds with the shims. If I made it work good with the trailer on, it would introduce a vibe at highway speeds. If we changed it to eliminate the highway speed vibe, the "take off" shudder would return. At least my guy is happy now so take your "dealer tech" slam and shove it where the sun don't shine!

 

I agree - airbags work very well even if you don't have driveline shudder... it's surprising how many people don't realize their benefits; had a guy last week from the east coast saying he was ready to install lift blocks under the leaf pack to keep his ride height/increase towing capacity (on a 3rd gen no less)... on the advice of his local preformance shop!

Pretty sure I talked him into airbags, though.

 

I know this is an old topic, I found it using the search feature looking for info on lauch shudder. Just as an FYI to J-BODY'S post here, I have added this exact thing to my truck (overload spring frame perch extensions called Torklift Stable loads) and I still ahev launch shudder. I know for a fact that the overload springs are in play when my 5er is hitched up. It weighs about 11500#.

Here is a picture of the stable loads (in yellow).


Here is my truck and 5er: