Installed the lift today...and questions for the wise...

Ok. It took 4 hours, but I am done now. It would have taken 3, but...well, see below. Bilstein 5100s up front with stock springs (for now), and a simple 1" block in the back.
The rear was easy, looks fine, no issues. The front was less easy, but manageable, and gave me an issue. I first installed the Bilsteins with the ring on the second spot from the top. That made the truck WAY too high in the front. It looked like I had a fat girl hiding in the bed. Took it all out and set the Bilsteins to the second ring from the bottom. Now it's more even. Just so I am clear, the Bilstein rings are, from bottom to top, 0", 0.85", 1.85", and 2.5"? My measurements in the front are about 1.5 higher than stock. I don't think the casual observer would notice a height difference from stock.
So naturally, I want to go higher. For the front, it's easy. I already have the Bilsteins, so a simple set of OME coils will get me to around 2.5". For the rear, I don't want to do a 2" block. So, AALs?
I will post pics of the new setup after I put the wheels and tires on (following the alignment) tomorrow.
Oh. And if I do decide to lift the rear up a bit more before I buy the front springs, will that affect the front suspension? Is an alignment necessary after raising only the rear another inch or two?

Matt

 

5100 settings are correct. Lifting the front one inch will raise the nose up 1.5", the rear is a 1:1 ratio. I'd do blocks before AALs in the rear, the AALs are trash and you will have a lot of axle wrap. You will also end up buying a leaf pack anyway so why spend unnecessary money? If you adjust the front suspension it's just a good idea to get an alignment, the rear you don't need one just make sure the rear axle is still straight.

 

I did an AAL. It's cheap and will last until the leaf pack needs replacing, then I'm getting Dakars.

 

Ok. Aligned and new tires on. Aaaaand now I am rubbing...I never noticed this before, but I have little "mud flaps" in front of my front tires. Are they important? Because they are on my garage floor now, and no more rubbing.

 

0, 0.85, 1.75, and 2.5

 

you get more axle wrap with blocks as the axle has more leverage on the spring.

AAL's are fine, i love my 2in single AAL from wheelers. And its all of 75 bucks or so vs 500 for a full pack.

 

Here is the pic. One inch block in the rear, 5100s set at 0.85" in the front. MB Chaos 6 wheels with 265/70-17 Terra Grapplers.


And a shameless pic of my red, white, and blue garage. 'Murica!!


Matt

 

Folks often end up trimming those off to fit oversize tires.

 

yea i put 5100 all around and eibach coils on the front and im at 2.5 in the front running 285 70 17 dynapro mt

 

Awesome collection of rides my friend

 

Looks good! I am suprised that the front is only set at .85" and it sets that level with a 1" block in rear. From what I've seen on here most are set at 1.75" to level with the TSB springs and no block. The spring perch is installed correct I take it?

 

Yes, it is. It was way nose high for me at 1.75.

 

Debatable. I had serious axle wrap with AALs and ended up swapping for a leaf pack anyway.

 

That's one sexy garage

 

This, then .85 with no block would have made it nose high? That doesn't sound right.

Looks Good btw.

 

I hadn't thought about that, but yeah. The truck was pretty level when I got it stock. But had I not put the blocks in, it would have been nose high at 0.85" probably.

 

This looks perfect to me. My front 5100's still haven't shown up yet but I'm planning on installing them at the .85 setting. I've read multiple times that you wind up with a hair more than an inch of lift which is exactly what I'm after. I'll probably go the 1 inch block route for the rear too. Hopefully I won't have any vibration issues. Next time around buying tires I'll go 265/75/16 instead of the 265/70's I have now.

 

Can you post a picture of the shock? maybe the perch is upside down...

 

diggin that grille putting mine on tomorrow.

 

My 5100s at .85 make me nose high with 3 leaf rear, so I'm not terribly surprised OPs level at .85 front/1" rear, although I'd think the Sport would have the 4 leaf pack which damn near everybody gets leveled with at 1.75 front.