levelling on new trucks

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Feb 2, 2009 | 02:07 PM

#16

pdogg

Registered User

Joined: Jan 2009

Posts: 450

Likes: 1

From: Phoenix, AZ

mine's 2wd (rwd) and I just installed the daystar cheapo 1.5" spacers ... leveled it out nicely.. I left the factory spring isolators in to get the extra 1/4" out of those too.

one thing I've noticed is that the long beds don't look quite as nose down in stock form as the short beds do...

Feb 2, 2009 | 04:23 PM

#17

slorocco

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Joined: Jan 2006

Posts: 189

Likes: 0

From: Southern Maryland

Quote:

Originally Posted by RowJ

Welcome to DTR!

Built that way to handle a load.

RJ

I agree, I guess I really don't understand all the desire for spacers and levelling stuff. If you don't carry a load or don't tow, why buy one of these things with lower fuel economy and higher maintenance costs.

Sorry, I'll get of my soap box now.

Feb 2, 2009 | 04:29 PM

#18

Ace

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Joined: May 2006

Posts: 3,421

Likes: 1

From: Colorado

Personally, I just love the way Cummins diesel engines run. And last. That would be the top two reasons, for me at least. Towing and hauling are secondary - they are my daily drivers.

I have a new one and an old one, and I don't care what fuel costs.

Feb 3, 2009 | 07:32 AM

#19

RowJ

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Joined: Apr 2004

Posts: 8,234

Likes: 1

From: Texas/Oklahoma Border

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ace

..... I was the unwitting victim of a PO that just installed some spacers and called it good. I would not advise anyone to try that and expect a good outcome down the road.

That might be a 1st Gen thing.... or 3" spacer?
As said, I had no alignment, handling, steering, front end wear or tire problems from 2" spacers on my 02!
My ball joints and tie rods are still original, and tight, at 170,000 miles. Only item replaced is front wheel bearings at 150,000.

RJ

Feb 3, 2009 | 07:57 AM

#20

Ace

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Joined: May 2006

Posts: 3,421

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From: Colorado

Quote:

Originally Posted by RowJ

That might be a 1st Gen thing.... or 3" spacer?

No, this is on a 2007. I suspect there may have been some bad or defective ball joints installed at the factory, who knows. There was a recall on those for Daks or some other model IIRC. My issues may be completely unrelated, hard to say.

Feb 3, 2009 | 08:33 AM

#21

blakehii

Registered User

Joined: Feb 2009

Posts: 3

Likes: 0

From: Durant, OK

Quote:

Originally Posted by RowJ

Looks good 'Blakehii'. Welcome to DTR!

2" lift will move the body about 1/4" on the frame.
I drove that way for 3 yrs. with no negative side effects I could see.
I finally went with offset bushings from Lazarsmith for my 3rd Gen Trackbar to center the body.
http://www.lazarsmith.com/SSSSS.html

Anything under 3" will not affect much, but I do recommend changing to Bilsteins longer arm, Nickle plated, shocks. They make a big difference.... partly because they are better than factory but mostly because they are the proper length for the lift so you get full travel for the shock.

RJ

Thanks, I actually have a set of 14" bilstiens 5100's on my 86 Toyota, I prefer them over any other. I thought about the trac bar pulling the axle over but since no one had mentioned it i thought maybe it wasn't enough to matter. The easiest way to tell is by looking at the sway bar where it goes through the bushings on the frame, thats how i noticed it pulled over a little. Either way i like things to be done right. I'll be getting a trac bar or a bracket soon.