I need some info on lift kits i am seriously considering lifting my 97 CTD probably go with the SkyJacker Class 2 double flex 4.5&quot; kit need some advice on it and where to get one for the best deal. Also i dont tow anything with the 97CTD it is becoming more of a toy as the time draws nearer to getting a new 3500. So anyhow i would like some pros and cons of this lift best size tires and would i need to put the leveling spacers on top of this lift for a level ride or will the lift compesate for them? Basicly what all can i expect from the lift?? Any troubles i may run into?? <br>Thank you,<br>Ian

 

The 4.5&quot; SJ lift is a short arm lift, which will be fine for 4.5&quot;. If you ever plan on going much higher than that, you might look into the longarm lifts from either Skyjacker or Cepek. They improve ride and flex, but are really unnecessary unless lifting pretty high. How much lift are you using now to clear the 315's? If you'll only be using it offroad, I'd look at TSL's or Boggers, depending on your terrain. The new BFG Crawlers also look promising. If you want a heavy duty tire with serious tread, I know a guy who can hook you up with Michelin military tires. He's got 40x12.5's for 20&quot; rims (builds custom rims for cheap, too). I have these same type tires but in a larger size for one of my Jeeps. Real high load range. Let me know, and I'll get you his email.<br>Chris

 

[quote author=GO 4LO link=board=7;threadid=11047;start=0#105629 date=1045493988]<br>The 4.5&quot; SJ lift is a short arm lift, which will be fine for 4.5&quot;. If you ever plan on going much higher than that, you might look into the longarm lifts from either Skyjacker or Cepek. They improve ride and flex, but are really unnecessary unless lifting pretty high. How much lift are you using now to clear the 315's? If you'll only be using it offroad, I'd look at TSL's or Boggers, depending on your terrain. The new BFG Crawlers also look promising. If you want a heavy duty tire with serious tread, I know a guy who can hook you up with Michelin military tires. He's got 40x12.5's for 20&quot; rims (builds custom rims for cheap, too). I have these same type tires but in a larger size for one of my Jeeps. Real high load range. Let me know, and I'll get you his email.<br>Chris<br>[/quote]<br><br><br>Thanks for the info!! And i currently dont have any lift at all! The 315's tend to rub a bit when turning real sharp! So i figure if i am going to get a lift i might as well go with at 4.5-5&quot; lift and possibly a 2&quot; body lift. THe lift will be primarily for looks the offroading i will do will be all mud and some hills no rocks and the primary use for the truck is street driving. So now my question is... Is it worth the extra money for skyjacker 4.5 when i cna get a superlift 5&quot; for a lot cheaper and this wont be offroaded much anyhow mainly for looks??<br>thanks<br>Ian

 

You might want to look into the body lift a little more. The manufacturers usually say they're not compatible with the diesel, but there are lots of guys who have made it work with a little fabrication. Just make sure you know what you're getting into with it.<br> A guy that works at my local shop has a quad cab shortbed diesel Ram, with 4.5&quot; springs front and rear, and 2&quot; spacers up front (also runs a Reunel front bumper though, which sags those poor springs ). He runs 37/12.50/16 TSL SSR's, and it looks really good. Only down sides to the SSR is a relatively easy-to-tear sidewall, and very short life onroad due to soft tread compound.<br> Since you'll drive it mostly onroad, I'd look at Parnelli Jones Dirt Grips if you're just going with a 4.5&quot; lift, in either 37/12.50 or 38.5/15.50 sizes. They should last longer than the SSR's, behave great onroad and still be good in mud. They're comparable in aggressiveness to a BFG mud-terrain.<br> The Michelin militaries are THE tires to get if you want a tough tire for a heavy vehicle and have the lift to clear them, though. My 16R20's (52&quot;x16&quot have a load rating around 9,000 lbs per tire. The sidewalls are 1.5&quot; thick, and they weigh around 340 lbs apiece. The 40's only weigh about 75 lbs each, are radials, and should behave much better onroad that the bias-ply TSL's, Boggers, and the like. You'd probably want a good 8-9&quot; total lift to clear them well, though.<br> I'm not real familiar with the quality of the Superlift Dodge components versus those of the Skyjacker. I would never put a Superlift on a Jeep, though. They are around 25% cheaper, but it shows in the quality. Since you'll be primarily onroad, though, it might be worth looking into. I'd try to find someone who has the Superlift on a Dodge and see how they like it. Internet suspension dealers and 4wd shops are usually too opinionated to give an honest representation of both lifts.<br> Hope that helps!<br>Chris

 

http://www.natltire.com/ntw0799/pages/parnelli.html<br>Link with some info on the PJ Dirt Grips.<br>Chris

 

so which Skyjacker lift would you recomend for my application?? Class 1 class 2 single double standard flex?????

 

Just my opinion, but DON'T go with the Superlift. If you can look at a truck with that lift on it do it and you'll see what I mean. Remember, you get what you pay for.<br><br>That being said, I've used Skyjacker's 2.5&quot; coil springs and now I'm running the 4.5&quot; kit and I love it. They build the best lift for out trucks. I agree with GO 4LO about the long arm kits as well. But if you don't plan to go that high, the SJ 4.5&quot; is what you want. You can comfortably fit up to a 36x14.50 with no rubbing. I'm running the BFG 35x12.50's with my set up now and it looks really good. The BFG's are very nice on the road and I am impressed with their offroad capabilities as well. IMO a very good all around tire.

 

BTW, you don't need anything in addition to the lift kit (you asked about running spacers). The advertised lift height is referring to how high it will lift the front end of the truck. It will bring the rear end high enough to match that height.

 

so if i could go with at 36X14.5 could i go with the4.5&quot; springs the 2&quot; spacers and a taller tire??

 

[quote author=97CTD link=board=7;threadid=11047;start=0#105714 date=1045507273]<br>so which Skyjacker lift would you recomend for my application?? Class 1 class 2 single double standard flex?????<br>[/quote]<br><br>If you're not into HEAVY offroading just go with the Class I. The double flex is for SERIOUS offroading such as rock crawling. If you just take an occasional romp through the mud you'll be very happy with the Class I. This is the lift I chose because I don't 'need' the double flex control arms for what I do and I am not impressed with their set up on the dual front shocks for an additional $300...<br><br>You can pick up the Class I kit for $908 + shipping

 

[quote author=97CTD link=board=7;threadid=11047;start=0#105717 date=1045507466]<br>so if i could go with at 36X14.5 could i go with the4.5&quot; springs the 2&quot; spacers and a taller tire??<br>[/quote]<br><br>With only the 4.5&quot; kit you can fit a 36x14.50 tire. I've seen two trucks running this set up.

 

So did your class 1 for 908 bucks come with EVERYTHING i would need????

 

Yes it comes with everything.<br><br>However, do you have a DT track bar? If not, I would recommend doing that at this time as well. You can pick one up for $330 (that's shipped to your door). Skyjacker provides a drop bracket for the stock track bar but since you have to drill for both of them I went with the DT since I knew I would end up going that route eventually.

 

Did that kit come with shocks as well?? if so which ones??<br>Thanks <br>Ian

 

Yes, it comes with for that price it comes with the Skyjacker Hydros. You can upgrade or get a price without shocks so you can add the ones you want.