I want to lift my truck (2003 dodge 1 tonne) in the front 3" but was wondering if I can get away without doing the control arms / track bar extension. Some guys here did and I wonder if this is right. I know the 2" one is ok to just put the spacers in. Any thoughts?

 

I think 3" is pushing it for using the stock control arm and sway bar end links. Even with my 2" leveling kit I had a bent sway bar end link when I took everything off for my 6" lift. If you can, I would look at a 4" superlift or tuff-country lift. Talk to Mark at Rocky Mountain Off-Road in Red Deer, that's where I have had a couple my lifts done.

 

Has anyone put on a 3" lift without anything else??

 

you should totally be fine with just a 2" leveling kit and NO OTHER MODS.

 

I just put in 3" spacers on the front. IMO I think you will want a track bar drop bracket. Without it the front axle on my truck stuck out about .5" - 1" further on the driver's side. To me it doesn't look right...you might be ok with it.

The control arms I feel are optional. The spacers did set the front wheels back a tad in the wheel well, but not enough to bother me.

New shocks are pretty much mandatory for 3" spacers.

I'll get some pictures tonight and let you guys see.

 

You can see my pics here:
https://www.dieseltruckresource.com/...d.php?t=103302

 

I think it is personal preference on the drop bracket, I have 3" front and back and the only issue I had was with the Rancho lower control arms. As far as one side sticking out farther than the other side must be an alignment issue and a dropped track bar will do nothing to fix this. I also strongly suggest that if you are doing the install yourself, spend the 150.00 dollars and get an alignment done, it will save you a set of front tires.

 

I thought that the track bar basically centered the front axle and kept it tracking straight under the truck. Am I mis-informed? I know that the alignment will correct steering issues, etc., but I didn't think it would actually reposition the axle?

I'm definitely getting the alignment done...just waiting until I get the track bar bracket in before I take it in.

 

The installation of the track bar drop brackets will not change the position of the diff from left to right. The drop brackets will however allow you to keep the diff in its original position within the wheel well (front to back). The side to side is due to a missalignment of the diff under the truck. It may be possible that you inadvertantly shifted the entire front diff and track bar assembly to one side or the other causing the diff to be missaligned. I don't understand how you would have installed the control arms if the diff is noticably out of alignment?

 

I think we may be talking different languages here. To me the control arms are the upper and lower arms on the back side of the front axle that connect to the frame. To me those would control where the wheel sits in the wheel well. The track bar runs the width of the front axle (left - right). It mounts on the axle on the passenger side and to the frame on the driver's side. To me that would change the left-right position of the axle under the truck.

 

Right,

The track bar length controls the side to side movement of the axle, the control arms dictate the position front to back.

 

Yes you are correct, to move axle forward longer control arms. In larger lifts the drive shaft alignment must also be considered. But my point is that installing drop brackets on the track bar will not change the alignment of the axle left to right....It would only allow the small ball joints on the track bar connector to maintain OEM alignment. This may also be achieved by paying attention during the instalation to ensure that they remain aligned without messing up the rubber dust guards. You may be able to aviod installing the track bar drop by going for a wheel alignment (which you should do anyway) is what I was getting at. I have the 3" in mine with no drop bracket (didn't even have one in the kit). No spacers either....

YES

 

I'm no expert, but when a straight arm moving on a pivot moves down (which is what happens when a lift is put on) the arm moves in a circular motion (hence, the pivot) and the end of the arm will move sideways torwards the pivot as the arm drops.

Poor words to describe it, but yes, as an axle is lowered, it will move sideways torwards the driver's side (the pivot point). The drop bracket helps to restore stock geometry, and puts the axle back into the center of the axle.

With that said, on my 3" lift, I don't see much difference. Possibly a 1/2" or less of movement to the side, but I'm not worried about it right now. I plan on putting Thuren's Trackbar on soon.

 

Yes,

you are correct the drop bracket for the track bar will move the axle left to right or vise versa. On my old 2001 PSD when I did the leveling kit (procomp) it came with some fancy busings that had offset holes, so you could turn them to move the axle side to side.

Also on the Ford, it had adjustments on the track bar likea tie rod end. By screwing it in and out the track bar would lengthen and thus move the axle side to side.

Good luck.