OK, when my tax returns get in, I am going to do a little mod's to my front end. I have an idea of how to go about this, but want info from others that have installed these items. I plan on installing them in one sitting, and want to know the best approach.

Here is what I am going to get:

1. 2" coil spacers (already at the house, sitting in a box)
2. 4 rancho9000's & stabalizer
3. Polyurethane greaseabale swaybar bushing set from Energy Susp.
4. Lukes link
5. D.S.S.

Here is my approach to the install (very abbreviated):

1. remove swaybar
2. install spacers & shocks
3. re-install swaybar with new bushings
4. install D.S.S. in conjunction with bushings
5. install rancho steering shock.

when should I do the LukesLink? While the axles is dropped? or after its all back together and off jackstands? Somewhere in the middle?

thanks,,,,
Phillip

 

Im not sure what the lukes link is, but im guessing it is the track bar to keep the front end in align side to side. Being this is the same as the front suspension in a jeep cherokee I would make sure the truck is still supported by the frame before removing the kink. The biggest complaint with lifting the front on this setup is if the track bar is not adjustable your front end will not be centered under the truck if it is raised. some kits use a drop bracket which was a joke, pressed out 80 wall tin real whimpy. The cherokee I had ran a 4" "MAJOR BRAND" lift( we wont name names) You could visually see the difference. One wheel out past the fender lip, one way inside. What happens is the angle of the center link is now increased,if you swing it up to level as when the suspension compresses the link is now longer and will in effect move the body of your truck to the left. if extreme this makes for some real strange ride qualities. I dont see 2" having this effect, lucky for you.

 

I would recommend you NOT lift the front without an ADJUSTABLE track bar.

DT pro fab is the best, but also the most $$

The Skyjacker bar is also adjustable, and less $$.

I went with the DT. You do NOT want to cut corners when it comes to the front end. You will really regret screwing up the suspension if you don't do it right.

Best case, you have annoyances-- poor tire wear, weird steering, etc.

Worst case, you have a bad accident and are dead because of the poor handling.


I did the Skyjacker D25 coils, which are a VERY slight lift on the front of about 1.5-2 inches.

Even with this, my axle was not centered, the toe-in of the tires was excessive (causing tires to wear thin on the outsides), and the handling was not *quite* right.

The DT pro fab bar fixed all this and the front end is ROCK solid. Not only is adjustable, but it PERMANENTLY fixes the stupid Dodge OEM track bar design. By orienting the pivot longitudinally (instead of vertically like the OEM design) you fix the basic problem with the approach. THERE'S A REASON THAT THE 3RD GEN TRUCKS HAVE THE TRACK BAR DESIGNED DIFFERENTLY-- like the DT.

But the DT is WAY beefier than any other bar available, to my knowledge.

Shoot, I don't even have the DSS yet, and the steering is great!!

Justin

 

Like Justin said, with just the 2" lift, your toe in adjustment will be off by more than 1/2". You can get it close with a tape measure by yourself, but a trip to an alignment shop would the best.

Boyd.

 

Anybody have a link to the DT or Skyjacker track bar sales sites? I put in the 2" spacers in my '96 Dodge and immediately had it aligned. My only problem is that I have to rotate my tires about every 4000 to 5000 miles or the right front tire wears on the outside causing the truck to pull to the right. After the complete rotation series from front to back goes around and the same tire is back on the front about 8000 to 10000 miles later, the tire is again flat and works fine. I'd just like to make the front "right" on mine and not have the abnormal (if only slight) tire wear. Thanks!

 

DT Profab: http://www.dtprofab.com/dodge.htm
You can probably get the Skyjacker bar from just about anyone that sells their stuff.