Lift front end 2"- options?

[squeekyM]

Hi,

I have been playing with the idea of lifting only the front end of my truck about 2-3 inches. The front springs are definately sagging and need to be replaced. I am looking for a solid option, aside from an add-a-leaf kit, and a Dana60 front axle. I am thinking a completely new spring pack that is made to lift the frontend 2-3 inches; would there be any issues with alignment, etc.

What are some good options that anyone here has tried out? THanks in advance, take care.

- Jerry

 

[seanpistol]

check out apextrans' garage.

 

[TLBREWER]

Hi,

I have been playing with the idea of lifting only the front end of my truck about 2-3 inches. The front springs are definately sagging and need to be replaced. I am looking for a solid option, aside from an add-a-leaf kit, and a Dana60 front axle. I am thinking a completely new spring pack that is made to lift the frontend 2-3 inches; would there be any issues with alignment, etc.

What are some good options that anyone here has tried out? THanks in advance, take care.

- Jerry

I put airbags with an onboard compressor on the front of my wife's truck. Just air 'em up to the desired level and alignment and enjoy. Usually I run them at 65psi, but that changes with temperature, etc. So I just check them every few days and adjust as necessary.

Tom

 

[tractorman86]

tom probably has the best idea there!^^

 

[shorthair]

i also went with ride-rite air bags but no compressor & normally run 30-40 psi mt & 65-80 loaded. if you take care when you hook the fittings up you wont have any air leaks so they should hold thier pressure for a month or more.

 

[LUCKY_LARUE60]

My truck has factory 3 leaf front springs and my truck sets level, my truck is considered a Super Duty but has no badges on it but when I get anything from the dealership and I give them the VIN it comes up Super Duty. So look for factory 3 leaf front springs, I have seen 350's with 2 leaf front springs but mine has 3 go figure.

Jim

 

[apextrans]

i also went with ride-rite air bags but no compressor & normally run 30-40 psi mt & 65-80 loaded. if you take care when you hook the fittings up you wont have any air leaks so they should hold thier pressure for a month or more.

If you go with bags up front, be sure to use teflon on the fittings where the air line goes into the bags. Took me quite a while to find my leak the first time I installed them.

I have both: 2" lift springs & bags. The springs were for lifting the truck & the bags were for holding the truck level with a snowplow on it. The plow never went on 'cause I traded it for the paint & body work. Here's a picture of whatI have up front.

 

[squeekyM]

The airbags sound like a great option. The only concern I have with them is the alignment. If it is not set to the exact same height as where it was originally aligned..wouldn't the alignment be off a fair amount? Let me know what you think.

 

[fx4wannabe]

You can have springs made at about any size and length you want. I went with a 4" lift on mine and I love it.

 

[TLBREWER]

The airbags sound like a great option. The only concern I have with them is the alignment. If it is not set to the exact same height as where it was originally aligned..wouldn't the alignment be off a fair amount? Let me know what you think.

The nice thing about airbags is you can adjust the pressure to get the alignment where you want it. When I say alignment, I mean camber(?)...the tires being vertical as opposed to spring sag and tires tilting in at the top. I can increase the pressure to the point that the tires tip out at the top. Just adjust them to where you think it should be or looks right, and watch tire wear to tell you if it's correct.

I put on new Skyjacker shocks all the way around at the same time. Before the truck rode like a buckboard and the front was hitting the bumpstops all the time. The change with new shocks and getting the springs back up where they should be was incredible.

Tom

 

[Mr_Roboto]

I like air bags. Like Tom said, you can use them to get the suspension height (and thus alignment) correct on TTB and TIB suspensions. If you want to go a little higher, just set the height where you want and have an alignment shop set the caster / camber bushings.

 

[apextrans]

I'm sitting on a solid axle so I have noalignment issues with the bags. If 1 has more air than the other, the truck will appear to be leaning to one side or another.