Doetsch Upper Control Arm and Coil Spring lift kit install

Just got the daystar spacer yesterday, it's shipping rn. Gonna order the doestch spindles next and leave the front with those 2 for now.

I really wanted the moog 81070 coils but with inflation I can't find them cheaper than like 87 bucks lol. Not worth spending almost 90 bucks versus 30 for the spacer for the same-ish amount of lift between the two.

When I tackle the rear after I might have to hit u up if ur gonna sell em for a good price. Thank you!

 

Got an update for you guys. Finally got the following parts installed on my 2001 regular cab mini:

Doetsch upper control arms
Doetsch lift coils - 3” over
Doetsch DT3000’s all around
Doetsch adjustable shackles - 1” over
Upper and lower ball joints
Inner and outer tie rods
Sway bar end links
American Racing Baja wheels - 15x7 +6 offset
Toyo Open Country A/T II - 30x9.5-R15

I installed everything per the FSM and the truck aligned just fine. Still some play in the steering - I think it’s the rack and/or the rack bushings. That will be the next project down the road.

The front end rides great. It’s a little stiff, but predictable and easy to control. The rear end is VERY stiff. There just isn’t any weight back there to activate the suspension. It actually feels like the axle is welded straight to the frame - that stiff.

Any recommendations on how to relax the rear end a bit? My initial thoughts were the DT3000’s were just too much for the light rear end and overall curb weight of this truck. If that’s the case, would Bilstein 4600’s be any softer?

 

Nice setup. Good work!

 

@SLO5lug nice work!
4600's might be the way to go for a softer setup, or maybe even play around with cheap Monroe shocks since the valving in them are not super stiff.

Another thing to consider is tire pressure, I know some people set it to what the side wall says and that also makes for a stiff ride. If you run closer to 30-32 psi, I've found it makes it more bearable.

 

Thanks! Stoked on this little truck.

I will do some more research to try and find the right shock for the job. It's funny, when you look around online most people refer to the DT3000's as a softer shock - especially on the Jeep forums. I thought they would be perfect, but there's a lot of variables and every setup is different. I'll report back if I find the right combo so that others with the same question can find the information down the road.

I'll double check my pressure. The tire shop set it and I haven't checked. Thanks for the recommendation.

Also - I referenced your original post several times while I was installing everything and it was super helpful, so thanks again for taking the time to put that together.

 

this is the exact setup I’ve been eyeing, I’m looking to fit
235/75r15 cooper discover a/t
With 15x8 -19et pro comps 69 comes out to 3 3/4 backspacing and a 29” tire

when I hit up doetsch they told me they didn’t sell the UCA by itself and that I can only get it in the 6/4 lift package. I really don’t want to run a spindle because of how it will push out the front wheels. If u don’t mind me asking how much did it cost u for everything? And how did u order it through their site or on the phone? They’re actually local to me like down the street from my house

 

Your wheel/tire combo should fit well. You might stick outside the fenders slightly with the 15x8s.

Ask for Kandi, I believe she is one of the owners and she got me all setup. I think I paid around $850 for UCAs, coils, shackles, and shocks shipped to the central coast. I feel the same way about the spindles and didn’t have to buy the 6/4 kit to get the UCAs. Everything came packaged separately and it didn’t seem like much of an issue.

 

Great thank you I’m going to try and order this next week, they told me the shackle is backordered for another month and I was thinking about going with the fabtech 2” shackle. Does anyone know if the maxtrack 3” shackle work on our 5 lug or is that 6 lug only.

 

My bad I meant 2” maxtrac

 

If you want to level the truck you may not need to lift the rear. You may consider lifting the front first and just installing shackles out back if you need them. I would bet you will sit dead level with just the front though.

The install isn’t bad, but I did have some trouble getting the new coils in. You really have to compress the new coils quite a bit, which was starting to make me nervous. I would recommend an internal coil compressor with a fork style bottom plate. I was able to borrow one at O’Reillys for the day and it worked well.

 

These look identical to the Doetsch shackles. Same price too. I’ll let someone else comment on the application though.

 

thanks for all the help, do u think u could fit 31s with your current setup or do u think 30s are max

 

No worries. There isn’t much info out there for our little 1st gen 5 lugs so I’m happy to help.

I think you could fit 31s with some trimming. It seems like most 31s are 10.50” wide, which will put the tires outside of the fenders by maybe an inch or more? The 3” lift with larger diameter tires will likely result in contact with the fenders at full lock. That could or could not be an issue depending on how you intend to use the truck. The 30s on 15x7s are right on the edge as it is.

The other thing to consider is gearing. I have a manual with 3.58s and this thing is a total slug with 30s and stock gearing. It’s doable, but noticeably overgeared for sure. The 31s would just make it worse.

 

I’ve got an AT but eventually want to convert it to manual in a couple years and re gear. For the time being definitely going to stick with the 29s then, this is just my daily I’ve already got one gas guzzler tundra on 35s lol. Are you’re wheels lug centric or hub centric, I’ve read our hub bore is 67.1, the wheels I plan on going with have a hub bore of 83 so trying to figure out if I need a hub spacer to keep everything aligned properly. I’ve read mixed comments on hub centric vs lug centric but I would prefer it to be hub.

 

I’m running American Racing Baja 15x7s with about 3-3/4” backspacing. I believe they are lug centric and I’ve had no issues at all with them - no spacer or hub centric adapter needed. I had a 5 lug 2wd Pickup a few years back with a similar setup. No issues there either.

 

for your lugs did u get the extended thread lugs? im thinking about copying you and getting the american racing ar23 just to be safe in a 15x7 -6et. haha hope u dont mind!! going to get the same cooper discover a/t in 235/75r15, theyre actually super cheap on walmart.com website $74.00 a tire

 

These trucks have wheel studs so the lugs are not threaded. That being said, the hex of the OEM lugs will likely be too wide for the ARs, so you will need keyed lugs with a narrower spline interface. Check out Gorilla Auto small diameter lug nuts.

I was torn between the AR23 and the Bajas. The AR23s will look great. Love the old school truck look on these smaller 1st gens. Steal on the tires too. My next set may be 235s as well unless I re-gear at some point. Around town it’s no big deal, but long grades on the highway are really tough with the 30s right now. I’m usually in the slow lane, doing about 55-60 mph in 4th gear turning a low RPM.

 

I ended up going with some pro comp steelies got them for $175 shipped to my door so i couldnt pass it up, got the same setup like u 15x7-6 3.75" backspace. Trying to figure out what lugs I have to use with these steel wheels

 

Nice. You may be able to get away with the OEM lugs on those. Your local tire shop may have better insight. Could be worth a call before you have them mounted and balanced.

 

@SLO5lug

Did letting out some air pressure fix the rear end a bit? I've been thinking about doing a setup just like this. Should I go with the DT3000’s or the Bilstein 4600's?

Any guidance would be appreciated!