Spacer Lift Can't Handle the Load...

Hello All,

First off, I'd like to thank all of you. Even though this is my first post, I've been on the site almost daily in the past couple months as I've been building my dream truck. I'm a C student with all this stuff at best so having access to the Guru's has been a huge help. You guys rock

Here's the backstory...I had originally opted for the AC Spacer lift in the front and a 2" block plus AAL in the back to accommodate for the BFG 285/70/17's and heavy loads I carry into the sticks(steel rear bumper, tire arm, guns, bows, camping gear, etc). And, it was perfect before I added the ARB front bumper and winch. Then she started to scrape if I just passed through a ditch.

I'm looking at the King CO's w/Res, and Camburg UCA's but my fear is that I'll do it and with only 2.5" of lift (my ACS gave me three supposedly?) that the front end will droop, I'll still get the scrape and my rig will look like the 73 Nova I had in high school.

So here's the questions...

Anyone had any experience with these(CO's) on a similar setup?
Should I just opt for a 4" lift? If so, any recommendations?
Are there any nice systems out there that would let me keep the rear as is? Or should I just bite the bullet and spend my last bit of dough on the whole system?

Thanks again for all your help, input and advice. All is appreciated

Pic Attached

 

Blocks kill springs prematurely.
Allpro expedition (4" unloaded/3" loaded) is a good option

Look for a coil overs with a decent spring rate. Higher spring rate means it'll handle the weight better. Your bumper really isn't that heavy, it's probably just the spacer. Pretty much any c/o will do you fine

 

High quality coilovers from the Big Three are adjustable. If you're not a fan of the spring rate of the stock springs, new springs of a different weight can always be swapped in.

For the rear, a quality new leaf pack designed for increased loads is a good idea.

 

^^^^This.......Get the 700 springs from King instead of the 600

 

You need to remove kings from the truck to adjust the pre-load......just keep that in mind!

 

OP, based on what you use your truck for I'm thinking an OME lift with 886 coils up front and a full leaf pack out back will serve you well and be a little easier on the wallet.

 

Thanks for all the input guys. After many more hours online and a trip up to my local 4WheelParts to talk to one of the mechanics who I've gotten to know pretty well I think I have a plan, but I'd like to run it by you guys first.

Fox 2.5" Extended Travel CO's w/Res on the front
Camburg UCAs
Bilstein 5100s on the rear

The reason I went this way is because the 2" block and AAL in the rear has been supporting even my heaviest loads well with no droop so I thought for both economy and durability the 5100's with 7/8 spindle would add some beef w/o killing me.

Camburgs because everyone I've talked to said they were fricken bullet proof.

Fox w/Res because they're well priced(I can't afford the Kings) and my buddy said Icon basically just copied the Fox tech.

Dromlace you mentioned "Spring Rate." How can I find out what this is and how to ask to have one increased? Is this something I can order?

So all, in all what do you guys think? The guys at 4wheel gave me a pretty good price(2400 installed)(Even lower than Wheelers base numbers on the website. IDK if they give discounts to members or anything like some places do?)

Thanks again for all you're help guys. Really appreciated

 

Looks good as long as you run. 700 lbs spring on your c/o. Just ask for it when you order. You probably do not need the remote res though, unless you plan on doing high speed passes as for Icon stealing Fox's idea, that is quiet funny. Especially because one is progressive and the other is digressive....

 

most manufacturers post their spring rates on the site.

you left the rear untouched. if you wanna keep your aal and block thats fine. but like i said the allpro expedition pack is your best choice.

 

Partially true... If you use a different spanner, not the one provided by king, you can.

 

What scrapes specifically? I do think changing your suspension and getting rid of your spacers is a good idea anyways......however, if you upgrade your suspension your tires may still scrape. Would some minor trimming help as well?

 

I wouldn't unless he adds full armor to the truck. 650 is the highest I'd go. until there are skids and sliders to go with the bumper and winch.

No you don't. Just jack it up. Use two punches or 9mm Allen wrenches to turn the collar.

 

Thanks guys. I feel like such a newb! LOL. I understood about 80% of what you guys said! LOL.

Dromlace, I'm checking into the Allpro set up for sure, I'll keep you posted there.

Slimwood Shady, I went with the Res option bc I will be heading out into the desert sometimes when I'm in SoCal. I figured better to have and not need than need and not have. Is there a downside to having Res's?

Mutilatedjak, I'm not sure what scraped, it almost sounded like my tire bottomed out. I've trimmed some already. Is there any way to check that stuff?