Hey guys,
I did a search but couldn't find what I needed to know. I want know if there is any advantage to the leveling springs vs. spacers. Do the springs have more travel? It seems like they should.

 

Just put the leveling springs on my 97.
Picked up the front of the 2".
Handles much, much better.
Put the 8' plow on the front and the truck drops about 1/2"
Much more control over bumps, feels like a whole new truck.
As far as suspension travel, can't say for sure, but it was the same money for the springs compared to the leveling kit.
And you have to do the same amount of work to do both.
Couldn't see putting a pad under an already worn out, underrated spring for the truck anyways.
Look in My truck pics to see the height of the truck in the front.

Just my $.02
Rich

 

When I put the Skyjacker D25 coils on my truck, it improved the ride a little bit.

 

On my old '98, i put the spacers on it ( got em from a bud for $20) and replaced the shocks while I was there. The ride was a little bit more stiff (good in my opinion) and it raised my truck enough to compete w/ my roommates 6" lift on his Z71. Not sure how the new springs would differ much, but I was happy w/ the just the spacers.
Hunter

 

I'm running the spacers (5") on my lift - I went with those to maintain the factory coil spring rate as I had the snow plow package, etc. There is more than one spring rate out there for our trucks, check what you have and what you're looking at or with some of the guys who have replaced springs to get an idea about the amount of lift you will get and how much they settle over time. They're not as difficult as you would expect to install - the axle drops far enough when unhooked to simply pull them out. Justin

 

I put in Tuff Country 2" spacers from JCW and I'm happy with the results. At $129, it was a lot cheaper than springs. It seems to me that the track and handling is better than before.

 

I put the 2" spacers on my truck from tuff country . Looks good and still has the factory ride. I like it

 

If all you want is to level the ride (2" front lift) and all other components are kept the same, the spacer will stiffen the ride more than changing springs.
However, longer springs will allow for more upward movement of the axle (But only slightly more as were only talking 2" lift).

Again, keeping all other components stock, the 2" lift (regardless which method you use) will shift your front axle to the drivers side by about 1 - 1.5" due to the way the trackbar swings.

If you plan on raising the truck again in the future, then go with 2" longer springs now, and then you can place a spacer under there in the future.

Just things to consider.

I went with the 2" spacer, all other components are stock. Here is a before and after photo:

Before

After

Rich

 

I used the D25 coils. Aside from a mysterious vibration (not driveline related- the cab resonates with engine vibration under some circumstances, whether moving or stopped), I LOVE the setup. I also installed the new Bilstein HD shocks designed for the CTDs, so I can't say whether the improvement is more from the shocks or the springs. But here's what I can say about hte COMBINATION of the two.

The ride quality is still pretty stiff, but a little better damped. It's still hard, just a little less harsh (you might want to advise a sportsbra to your female passengers).

Off-road capablity is MUCH improved. Even though you are only lifting the front by 2", the stock front end only had about 2" between normal ride height and bottoming out anyway. Thus, you are almost DOUBLING the available suspension travel. I can't really describe how much better the off-road performance is on big bumps (24"+)

On road- there is a feeling of much better control. There is a bad expansion joint on I-25 that would almost make me lose control of the truck when I hit it at 70mph! Scary as the truck wanted to just jump into the other lane.

This no longer happens and the truck just lets you know that you went over a bump and that's it-- no drama.

I went with the DT trackbar as well, not because I really needed it but because I ruined my stock bar trying to take apart the front end dong the springs and shocks. I am VERY happy with the DT bar. It's extra stout and the install is pretty easy. I think Skyjacker has a cheaper bar that some people are using with good results.

There are many benefits to leveling the truck, and I am getting to experience all of them.

The only thing is this weird vibration I have that I CANNOT pin down! It's so bad I almost wish I had never touched the front end at all, even though I DO have so many benefits from the work I did.

This vibration is almost always there-- louder on left turns than on right turns. It is there when the truck is idling motionless. It's there on the interstate and around town. It's not in the driveline because speed (or no speed at all) doesn't seem to affect it in the slightest. Also, instead of the normal shutdown shudder, I have a serious lurching that makes the whole cab resonate! It sounds like a connecting rod is going to come out of the dash!

I really like the benefits of the front end work I did. But I am not sure I would have done it if I had known about the vibration I caused.

I am 99% sure it is operator/installer error, NOT due to any of the part I put in.

This summer, I will more aggressively tackle this issue!


Justin

 

With all this talk of lifting, I was wondering about lowering the back by 2" with different lifting blocks. (5" lift blocks????) To level it out, that is. Does anyone know if this would alter the driveline geometry or whatever the technical term is? I was/am planning on doing this, but have been trying to research this question first.

Anybody know the answer?

TIA

 

There is a TSB out on lowering the rear to accomodate certain trailers. Might want to check out this link:http://dodgeram.info/tsb/2001/02-001-01.htm

Justin

 

Thanks Justin. I have read this TSB and it doesn't really answer the question. From what I understand the kit is EXTREMELY expensive and does not take it down enough to be level.