So my truck runs empty 99% of the time and I would really like to eliminate the "rake" in its stance.  When I got the truck it had spacers in the front springs and 35's which as everyone here knows took its toll on the front end components.  So I have read that as long as the front spacers are 2" or less that it doesn't have too drastic of effect on front end geometry so hopefully less wear on the track bar etc.  But I am contemplating just a shorter block in the rear and maybe adding bags for when I do have a load.  I would love to hear everyone's thoughts and ideas on this.  I wouldn't mind the rear end being lower for easier loading, etc.  

1 minute ago, portlandareae28 said:

How does the 1" level play into needing adjustable track bars, etc? 

 

Preferred. The axle will shift on the 2nd gen without a adjustable track bar.  Because of how the axle works on the 2nd Gen the axle swings down that extra inch and typically pulls the axle more to the driver side. Just best for the geometry factor.

5 hours ago, Mopar1973Man said:

Must of been a 3rd gen issue.

 

At least mine for a 2nd Gen has never hit the bump stops in the front axle and the axle is long ways from the pan. 

 

Want to throw up a photo? The 2nd gen's I've seen have similar clearance to my 3rd gen, but the 4th gens are definitely higher. There did seem to be a larger variance on 2nd gen front spring/stance than 3rd/4th gens thou. Also, IIRC, the 2nd gen oil pan is shallower (11 vs 12 qts) and that will help some too. 

 

It's not clearance from the axle to the pan, but rather ground clearance to the pan. The axle is a nice protective barrier, but when the bottom of the axle tube and the pan are in the same plane there is less protection. 

 

5 hours ago, Mopar1973Man said:

 

Preferred. The axle will shift on the 2nd gen without a adjustable track bar.  Because of how the axle works on the 2nd Gen the axle swings down that extra inch and typically pulls the axle more to the driver side. Just best for the geometry factor.

 

Not just a 2nd gen, remember aside from a few minor differences the front suspension was relatively unchanged from 94-12. Any track bar live axle suspension will move the axle horizontally as the axle moves vertically. The longer the track bar, which these trucks use a long one, the lower the effect. 

Edited September 18, 20195 yr by AH64ID

Maybe the 3rd gen track bar has ferry dust mixed in the paint.

I tow quite abit and always have almost 2k in the bed. 

With a 2" front level I still have a couple inches to squat to level. 

 

With welder truck is only sitting about 1" over factory height

18 minutes ago, Evan said:

Maybe the 3rd gen track bar has ferry dust mixed in the paint.

 

I don't want any ferry dust! The salt water will corrode my truck 

 

I know it's an upgrade for 2nd gens to use 3rd gen bars... but that's only for strength, as it's the same length. 

 

17 minutes ago, Evan said:

I tow quite abit and always have almost 2k in the bed. 

With a 2" front level I still have a couple inches to squat to level. 

 

 

Do you still have the 3500 suspension or did you put 2500 suspension in?

 

I know on 3rd gens the DRWs get stiffer springs than SRW's. 

 

Edited September 18, 20195 yr by AH64ID

Same 3500 stuff.

 

Yes 3rd gen bars are the same. Not sure where mike thinks the swing 1" different 

They do have a bushing on frame end instead of tierod end wich is slightly better

5 hours ago, AH64ID said:

 

Want to throw up a photo? The 2nd gen's I've seen have similar clearance to my 3rd gen, but the 4th gens are definitely higher. There did seem to be a larger variance on 2nd gen front spring/stance than 3rd/4th gens thou. Also, IIRC, the 2nd gen oil pan is shallower (11 vs 12 qts) and that will help some too. 

 

It's not clearance from the axle to the pan, but rather ground clearance to the pan. The axle is a nice protective barrier, but when the bottom of the axle tube and the pan are in the same plane there is less protection. 

 

 

Not just a 2nd gen, remember aside from a few minor differences the front suspension was relatively unchanged from 94-12. Any track bar live axle suspension will move the axle horizontally as the axle moves vertically. The longer the track bar, which these trucks use a long one, the lower the effect. 

 

Just posting the knowledge I've seen in lift kits and the screw up people have made. That includes using a com-a-long to put the axle over enough to get the track bar in because of a 2 inch leveling kit install. Never done leveling kit on either 3rd or 4th gen yet. Then the axle offset issues that they fought.

 

As for photo be another day being its raining all week here.

1 minute ago, Mopar1973Man said:

That includes using a com-a-long to put the axle over enough to get the track bar in because of a 2 inch leveling kit install.

 

 

I've seen that done when not lifting a truck, just unhooking the track bar. Without a track bar the suspension moves to the balance point from the springs.. which in my experience is never dead center with the track bar. 

 

1 minute ago, Mopar1973Man said:

Never done leveling kit on either 3rd or 4th gen yet. Then the axle offset issues that they fought.

 

 Same as 2nd gen, up thru the 13/14 changes that is. Really the suspension from 94-12 is nearly identical. 

I was going to say the same thing. Seen guys do that with no lift.

 

 

Yes it's raining, wish it would stay in the mountains. 

 

When I did my 2" level it was so easy. Toss it in and drive.

 

Keep in mind lowering the rear affects castor angle but probly not enough to worry about. Though we seem to be picky on this topic for some reason 

As long gear ratio can keep up with the added wind resistance were golden.

I replaced the track bar on my TJ this weekend, and added a 3/4" level kit. The track bar bolt went back in easier than it came out, go figure 

 

I like the rain, we need it. 

Edited September 18, 20195 yr by AH64ID

3" coils on mine. Factory track control arms and steering.  This thing drives and rides pretty good and with no sway bars front or rear

 

Basically a mini 2ndgen front end.

I went with a 1.5" RC level, doesn't remove all the rake but made it more appealing for me to look at as well as fixing the slight rub I had on the passenger fender liner. 

My old 98 with ranch hand and winch set low enough in the front that the track bar or something else would hit the crossover bar with a good dip in the road. A 1" level fixed the issue but after a while I wanted a better ride so I went with Thuren's 2" coils and his white body shocks and the ride was alot better. This current 98 looked great with a rake but the springs were worn out and had rubber spring helpers between the coils so it rode pretty harsh. I went with Thuren's 2" coils again and Carli's signature series shocks and the ride is alot better but I wish it had a little more of a rake to it. I also have adjustable track bar and control arms.

I'm with Dripley here....... *** down and thats free, unhook and it's looking just right for me, as for height, that doesn't matter here as I can't park in multi's or go under ANY barrier to a car park anyway, come to think of it I can't park it anywhere but my drive as the bays are too small and a tyre/tire on a white line is £60

Hey will440, where do you stash the metal detector,  you know, dirt fishing gear ? Or you don't have one yet ! 

25 minutes ago, JAG1 said:

Hey will440, where do you stash the metal detector,  you know, dirt fishing gear ? Or you don't have one yet ! 

I don't have one yet   ought to really  but surely there's only so many romans buried millions of ££££ worth of coins on this little island ?

10 hours ago, wil440 said:

I don't have one yet   ought to really  but surely there's only so many romans buried millions of ££££ worth of coins on this little island ?

Just a little back taxing on the emperor.

Leveling a pickup truck=i should have bought a Ford SUV. Looks like a usable vehicle until you try to USE it. To me a truck sits higher in the *** end to compensate for a load ie in bed or on hitch. If you're just tooling around in a pickup with no real use for it you're wasting money at the pump. I have a POS Neon that i can use daily but it hasn't left my driveway in 5 months. It might not even start now. Don't know don't care till i need it. I use my rust bucket daily. Leveling is only surpassed in stupidity by squatting.

On 9/17/2019 at 11:24 PM, dave110 said:

@JAG1 trying out his new level kit.

Hope to God no one would try to go down the road like this. 

14 minutes ago, Gregturley said:

Leveling a pickup truck=i should have bought a Ford SUV. Looks like a usable vehicle until you try to USE it. To me a truck sits higher in the *** end to compensate for a load ie in bed or on hitch. If you're just tooling around in a pickup with no real use for it you're wasting money at the pump. I have a POS Neon that i can use daily but it hasn't left my driveway in 5 months. It might not even start now. Don't know don't care till i need it. I use my rust bucket daily. Leveling is only surpassed in stupidity by squatting.

Hope to God no one would try to go down the road like this. 

Thats from all the gold coins I dug up they're stashed in the back. 

Edited September 28, 20195 yr by JAG1

Only thing i found stashed in mine was....RUST 

50 minutes ago, Gregturley said:

Leveling a pickup truck=i should have bought a Ford SUV. Looks like a usable vehicle until you try to USE it. To me a truck sits higher in the *** end to compensate for a load ie in bed or on hitch. If you're just tooling around in a pickup with no real use for it you're wasting money at the pump. I have a POS Neon that i can use daily but it hasn't left my driveway in 5 months. It might not even start now. Don't know don't care till i need it. I use my rust bucket daily. Leveling is only surpassed in stupidity by squatting.

For practical usage...yes this is all 100% correct.  But not everyone fits into the same box.  Mine is strictly a playtoy and it is lifted and leveled for asthetic reasons only...and because the chicks dig it.  It's not a daily driver so not too concerned about gas mileage or practicality...it just pulls the boat and a utility trailer every so often.  My other playtoy is many times worse in regards to practicality and fuel economy. 

 

Not married so I donate some of my disposable income to stupidity...