Safely Lifting Front End

EChavez · November 22, 2015

Hey all, I've been running a 2.5" level on my setup for a good while now but it's always bugged me that the truck has never truly sat level. The front end still nose dives ever so slightly (enough for me and other to notice) and I haven't really found a solid answer through the level kit thread.

So here's my predicament, I want to sit level but I figured I only have one real option to do that. I've considered removing the rear block in order to drop the back a little. However, I don't want my truck any lower than it is. Has anyone removed the rear block with a 2.5" level? How does it look & does removing the rear block affect the ride?

What I really want to do is lift the front end a little higher, but I know that anything above 2.5" is dangerous, so my question is what would be the safest/smartest way of lifting the front end just another .5 to 1 inches? Do I need to replace UCA's or something? I'd appreciate some insight from suspension gurus on here!

dbcooper748 · November 22, 2015

Hey all, I've been running a 2.5" level on my setup for a good while now but it's always bugged me that the truck has never truly sat level. The front end still nose dives ever so slightly (enough for me and other to notice) and I haven't really found a solid answer through the level kit thread.

So here's my predicament, I want to sit level but I figured I only have one real option to do that. I've considered removing the rear block in order to drop the back a little. However, I don't want my truck any lower than it is. Has anyone removed the rear block with a 2.5" level? How does it look & does removing the rear block affect the ride?

What I really want to do is lift the front end a little higher, but I know that anything above 2.5" is dangerous, so my question is what would be the safest/smartest way of lifting the front end just another .5 to 1 inches? Do I need to replace UCA's or something? I'd appreciate some insight from suspension gurus on here!

Ive seen others here who have added adjuatable atruts + level... or maybe just put adjustable airbags on the rear

CptMcSaug · November 23, 2015

http://www.motofablifts.com/product-p/ch-3f-1r.htm

Here's a 3" leveling kit?

hayes369 · November 23, 2015

Getting the 3" isn't the issue, it's doing it without putting all that extra stress on your front end and damaging your suspension components.

A differential drop would work, but if you're gonna go through the trouble you may as well throw on a larger lift.

Otherwise I believe Camburg (and possibly some other companies?) make UCA's that compensate for the extra lift.

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fondupot · November 23, 2015

Man, just go all out. Get a lift kit.

DO IT. CMON DO IT NOW! GET TO DA CHOPPA BILLY.

Boogie651 · November 23, 2015

So here's my predicament, I want to sit level but I figured I only have one real option to do that. I've considered removing the rear block in order to drop the back a little. However, I don't want my truck any lower than it is. Has anyone removed the rear block with a 2.5" level? How does it look & does removing the rear block affect the ride?

Was hoping someone would have some info on removing the stock block. I've looked at other lowering threads and they say its okay when lowering, but haven't found anything about with a 2-2.5" leveling kit. How it rides,if its safe etc...

hayes369 · November 23, 2015

Just pull the block out and bolt it all back up (probably with new bolts). Your springs and shocks do the work back there, removing the block won't change your ride.

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EChavez · November 23, 2015

Thanks guys, the problem is I don't really want to go higher with a suspension lift. I just want to squeeze an inch into the front. Dropping the rear is more of the a last resort option. I've heard good and bad things about 3.5" lifts and how they are just "glorified" level kits. Do they really ruin suspension though? For example an RCX 3.5" lift or a McGaughy's 4" lift?

1badtie · November 23, 2015

http://www.motofablifts.com/product-p/ch-3f-1r.htm

Here's a 3" leveling kit?

has anyone tried this? this looks promising. I have the 2.5" kit and it bugs me that its STILL NOT LEVEL..

dbcooper748 · November 24, 2015

Havent tried this particular setup, but i can say that the motofab products are top quality

fondupot · November 24, 2015

Thanks guys, the problem is I don't really want to go higher with a suspension lift. I just want to squeeze an inch into the front. Dropping the rear is more of the a last resort option. I've heard good and bad things about 3.5" lifts and how they are just "glorified" level kits. Do they really ruin suspension though? For example an RCX 3.5" lift or a McGaughy's 4" lift?

Yea, but the problem is, you are going to start riding on the droop stops if you lift any higher on the front end. Will ride like shit, and you will start wearing out ball joints, cv shafts, and wheel bearings, especially with those wide tires/wheels you have. Not saying a full on lift kit will eliminate those issues, but it will let the front end geometry be closer to "normal" rates instead of maxed out. Does that make sense?

EChavez · November 25, 2015

Yea, but the problem is, you are going to start riding on the droop stops if you lift any higher on the front end. Will ride like shit, and you will start wearing out ball joints, cv shafts, and wheel bearings, especially with those wide tires/wheels you have. Not saying a full on lift kit will eliminate those issues, but it will let the front end geometry be closer to "normal" rates instead of maxed out. Does that make sense?

Yes sir, that's why I've never really opted for those kits til now, but I'm not convinced on them because they sound like a cheap way to jack up the suspension. I recently spoke to someone that is running a 2" level and 2" drop shackles. Says it's almost dead even (little higher in the front which is fine with me) and it rides very good according to him. I may just do a 1" drop shackle so I don't have to remove the rear block and trim bump stomps or anything like that.

Edit* Here's a pic of his setup. I think that lean will look good on my truck

lrhogfan · November 25, 2015

That is a very good looking All-Terrain. What size tires are those on that black one?

Boogie651 · November 25, 2015

Yes sir, that's why I've never really opted for those kits til now, but I'm not convinced on them because they sound like a cheap way to jack up the suspension. I recently spoke to someone that is running a 2" level and 2" drop shackles. Says it's almost dead even (little higher in the front which is fine with me) and it rides very good according to him. I may just do a 1" drop shackle so I don't have to remove the rear block and trim bump stomps or anything like that.

Do you know the benefits of drop shackles vs just removing the rear block? Especially if only going 1" shackles? I really like the look of that truck as well, but was thinking of removing the stock blocks.