Help me get rid of spacer/block lift. mid travel?

I'm ready to start delving into this. All my suspension is shot. I've been searching and searching but keep finding mixed opinions and all kinds of different setups, not sure what to go with.

Here is the current setup:
2" top plate spacers (and I think poly coil spacers?) with Camburg uca's
2" blocks in rear
33x12.5 w/15x10's

measurements (ground to fender) are about 39.5"
This is most likely with saggy coils, and certainly flat leafs.

Mostly daily driving. Occasional offroad. Trail runs. Occasional heavy articulation stuff. Nothing too crazy. She is a prerunner after all. Don't load anything either. Yet. Eventually I want to set it up as an expo type rig. With bed rack and gear and eventually an rtt. But this will be a long ways away. I'd like to future proof myself regarding the rear setup.

I've got about 2-2.5k to spend.
I was planning on King ext travel coilovers up front for a mid travel setup. But not sure how much lift I actually have atm and want to at least retain that lift or possibly go a tad higher. Or if it will end up being higher with the kings preset to the ideal preload, than what it is now. Because I keep hearing not to preload them to the max 3". I have slight tire rub on pinch weld at 3/4 full lock with the 33's, when front is compressed a tad. Thats with the pinch weld beat the heck in as far as I can get it, ha. But may have to try it again or go back to 32's later. Just want to be sure I'll be ok with the kings. Or should I go with something else up front for my needs like ome 3"?

For the rear, I was thinking ome with dakars and nitros for now. Kinda budgeted after the kings. Would I need an aal or lift shackles to retain my lift in the back as well? Or maybe just shackles, then later when I have the need, add in the aal when I get load bearing gear? Or should I just install dakars w/nitros and wait to see if i'll need an aal/lift shackles?

Then at a later time (but before the expo gear) I'll look into doing the shock relocate for more travel with better shocks.

So my list is as follows:
ext kings
dakars w/nitro
ubolts
extended brake lines F&R
ome greasable shackles, with main eye greasables
brake prop bracket
3 degree shims


Let me know If i'm on the right track, and would be good with this setup.

 

Sounds good to me. That setup will give about 2.5", definitely under 3". If you want more I'd say go with All Pro standard leafs which are more like 3.5" and that same front setup but with a lift spindle. Not sure on what sizes you can get them in but since the kings are adjustable you can settle just about anywhere for ride height.

The 3" max lift for the front is more applicable to 4wd models so unless there is something with the specific shocks I don't see there being any issue with running at the highest setting.

If money is tight I personally would swap the kings for the OME or bilstein front shocks. I run bilsteins now will the All Pro leafs in the back and my back end can not keep up with my front.

 

Are there any pros/cons to going with all pro/dakars? I've read that dakars give about 2.25 lift? If I do end up lower than I'd like with dakars, would it be better to have those with aal or lift shackles, or just go with the all pros to begin with? I'd like to raise it the full 3" in front. But not if it's gonna run rough. I have to imagine it'll be tons more smoother than what I currently have even maxed out at 3". Lol.

 

Dakars will be stiffer, AAL won't give anymore lift its for additional load. Lift shackles aren't a bad options just keep an eye on your driveshaft. Over 3" rear lift and you'll want some shims which will give you a bit more lift as well, ~ .5". I'm not very familiar with those coilovers, I don't know what kind of issues you'll see at 3". I would look into lift spindles. The way a coilover lifts the truck is by just extending the suspension down. Ideally you want it to sit in the middle of its travel, for max performance. A lift spindle will not affect the way the suspension sits so you'll see much better performance from them than a coilover on maxed out preload.

 

start with coilovers on the front, and adding gussets to the spindle and if possible the uca. dont order for the rear yet

for the rear decide if you want more travel, which may require moving shock mounts, and what height it needs to sit at when loaded with permanent gear. This will determine what leaf pack is best suited
after everything has settled you can measure for axle shims. every truck is going to be a bit different and you may need more than 3 degrees or none

 

Id wait on rear too. If i went mid travel front id want the rear to match. That would involve relocated 10-12" stroke shocks and probably some deaver leafs.

 

Hmm. Well lift spindles are kind outta the question. Can't even find any, just some for 5 lugs. But they look quite expensive. And as I said, not too worried atm about getting true mid travel/max travel in the rear. That can be fixed later fairly easily when funds allow for better shocks and custom mounts for the relocate.. I will deal with less than max travel for now.. Even if it's not a true mid travel setup for the time being.

So what lift height would you guys guess I'm at right now? 2.5"? Like I said, measures ~39.5 all around from ground to fender flare. Don't really wanna go higher than what it's at now. Unless it helps clear my tires a tad more better.

And I thought aal provided a small amount of lift as well... Basically to compensate for the sag with permanent loads right? So without a load they would provide lift correct? Which is why I'll be waiting until i do get gear to get aal's. Which will be a ways away.

Basically I'm thinking if I end up at around 2.5" at least up front(if that's where I'm at right now), I'll be good.

Again, not really too worried about extended travel in the back right now. Mostly worried about LEVELING the rear. Almost sounds like I need to do the rear first, then level the front. Seems easier anyways. But I don't wanna end up lower than 2.5"... Because it says on wheelers that dakars provide 2.25 lift. Others say 2.5. If I should level the rear to match front instead, after Dakars (with nitros) have cycled and settled a bit and ends up needing lifted a tad higher, what Should I do to level it?

Then I have to worry about the gear down the road too.. Would I then just add the aal's at that point and be good?

 

Or maybe this will make it easier.
In short, I want to RETAIN my current lift height. But DO want the extended kings up front. And more geared towards RIDE QUALITY rather than max travel.

So what would be your suggestion for the rear, utilizing the factory shock mounts, to hold me over until I can do true mid travel in rear?

 

lift spindles exist, they are expensive though as only solo motorsport makes them. as for tire clearance, if tires dont fit at full compression lock to lock they dont actually "fit"

as for leveling your truck, the front is more limited so start there and match the rear. the most you can reasonably get with a good ride is 2"from preload

best bet is deaver j59s and direct replacement kings or icons

 

Good Lord you guys are killing me. Lol. Well, I know that would be ideal. But again, budget is limiting me...

Welp, I've been researching a LOT today. Checking out people's builds and setups and whatnot. Even emailed wheelers with some questions. But now, I'm contemplating skipping this whole idea and just go with something else.

(Hold on tight because this thread's gonna get totally flopped, lol...)

Specifically, I'm eyeballing the bilstein 5100 w/eibach 3" up front. And the dakars out back with bilsteins as well. Because the more I hear and think about all the little "extras" and "hassle" to deal with regarding maintenance of a mid travel setup, on top of fab work with what I'm looking for, the more I'd rather settle with a regular lift setup. Not gonna be nearly as good, but I'll live with it. Cost me half as much to do too, as well as cheaper to maintain. Plus with that extra mula I could get me a bumper up front and who knows what else. What do you guys think about that? Lol. I just really wanted some coilovers, and for not much more I could get kings. But yeah, not sure I'm quite ready for that Plus it's a little overkill to get kings for my needs.. Besides, anything's gonna be an upgrade to what I have Now..

What do you think @LSC15 ? Because your rig has me questioning my original setup as I love yours along with the stance, and you have said it rides great... But you've had kings before too iirc and want to know if it's overkill for my needs, or worth it... Whatcha think?

 

Man I believe the eibach/bilstein lift is a great lift for the price. Rides nice with a v6 and can handle the extra weight of bumper. The Kings I had on my black truck were nice. Rode really good and everything but for your needs its hard to beat the price of eibach/bilsteins

 

I see no problems with bilsteins and dakars. The lift height your looking at will require uniball uppers though for a good alingment or a heavy bumper to bring it back down. Just keep that in mind
But is mid travel better? well of course, but only buy it if your going to use it...hard

 

Yeah. I think I'm gonna just go with the bilstein 3" for now. I don't use it much off road atm only because it's horrible as is. And afraid something's Gonna break soon. Not quite ready for mid travel. Won't take much to get there when I am ready though. I still have yet to get all the other gear. Even then, mid travel still probably Won't be worth it for my needs. Didn't expect it to be as much work Or $ as I thought itd be. Its really not a 'lot' of work, just not equipped for that project yet. I'll get good use out of the billies until that time comes. Plus with the bilstein lift cost, I'll be able to afford more goodies!

 

I don't recommend the eibachs on a 2wd without extra weight.

 

I dont have much to offer here, the boys are giving you solid info. I just wanted to point out that if you ditched them wide ass 10 inch wheels you'd drastically reduce or even eliminate your tire rub on the pinch weld... no need to drop a tire size. If you really like that wider stance a 8 inch wheel with 4 to 3.5 inch BS will keep ya poked out past the flares a good lil bit keeping that look you desire, while still running a 12.50 tire.

 

Oh I certainly agree it's all good info. Learned a lot. And appreciate all the feedback. Still weighing all my options. Even eyballing the toytec ultimate. So many options.. Ha. I can't decide. And my rub really isn't that bad. It barely touches sometimes. Really can't afford new wheels. But I like mine. I may change them down the road.

 

not necessarily true, the thing to consider is where the tire center sits in relation to the hub face. Lets say your have an 8.5 wide wheel with 4.3 back space and a 10 wide wheel with 5 backspace; the tire center is in the same location and the rubbing situation is unlikely to change. only the portion of the tire near the wheel will be shrunk but the max width will remain the same.

also, changing backspace will change scrub radius and this is NOT a case of more is better. Less backspace will also cause the outside tire to move more rearward when turning each repsective direciton which may increase the rubbing the op is experiencing

 

This was my thinking also. I was planning on getting bolt on spacers because now I have 1/4" washer ones, with extended studs. But thinking about how it will increase the tire turning radius, I'll probably rub more than I am now.

I also was going to look into caster as a possible issue. It seems like there was some kinda specifics camburg noted in their install paper to go for with caster. But I can't find it. Not sure if that's a possibility. Something like to notify the alignment tech to shoot for 2.5°? Idk. Can't even remember where it's at now. But I believe it's all maxed out anyways even with the camburg ucas..

Edit.. Idk. Not an expert with alignment stuff. Just a thought I had. Still learning guys. Kinda one reason I feel like I'm not quite ready for the mid travel setup.

 

What's your thoughts on this Devin? Logan, among others, seemed to be fairly happy with them.. I'm pretty much set on pulling the trigger with this one. Trying to read up on the ome counterpart but looking to be about the same ride quality I'm guessing. With the 3" that is.. Is it just a bit rougher ride without weight? Like, is it gonna be butt puckering as much as my spacer setup is now or what?

I do plan to get a bumper in the foreseeable future since I'll be saving a lot from going full mid travel. Probably the trail gear low pro which doesn't weigh all that much. Maybe even a relentless. Idk. Still got other things that need tending to like brakes and other maintenance items. Could be a while before I do get one tho. But would be nice if it's ready to go and no/little adjustments are needed when tha time comes for throwing armor on there. Even swapping coils if need be wouldn't be bad. They're not too expensive. And could try to sell the others which would Probly be easily doable without many miles racked on the current ones..

Just trying to plan this all out and future proof myself is all..

 

620lb eibachs are a beast of a coil. for the driving i think your gona be doing I think an ome option would be better. not saying they wont ride good but they will be quite firm.

If your going mid travel then why not wait and save some more. check out the buy sell section aswell.