AH64ID

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.

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

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. 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.

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.

Minimally. Aside from upgraded sway bar end links (OEM ones bent at some point), my front end was stock. No issues with track, etc.

I like air tools in the shop, but man they use a lot of air. It get's pricey to have OBA work air tools in a pickup, and takes up a LOT more space than a 12V impact... then again I don't carry a 12V impact with me either.

I leveled my 05 to get the oil pan higher, as it was nearly flush with the axle and that looked like it would be prone to damage. The '18 must ride a little higher as I have about the same oil pan clearance/protection stock as the '05 did with a 1" level. With a 2" level it's more of an issue, but it still takes about 4500 on the rear axle to make it start to look like it's draggin ***. With the 1" level I still gained clearance at the oil pan, big reason for the level, and didn't need too much air to maintain a level stance as I could let the rear suspension sag about 1-1.5" to level and then hold it. IIRC I only needed around 40 psi in the bags at a RAW of 7,500 lbs to maintain level and since most don't have tires rated to that a 1" level can hold level most the time.

The amount the axle moves to the side is not much, and certainly not as much as going from an empty truck to a fully loaded truck. I would suspect an u-joint issue over a centered issue... unless the OE track bar was bent. Yes, but that's not a fault of the front suspension... that's because a 2" level is too much for a truck that's loaded and used heavy. Even airbags don't really fix that issue as too much air has to be used to keep it level, and too little weight is carried by the rear springs. It creates poor handling and a poor ride. Normally not required for a 2" level, but the OE ones aren't great so when they fail it's not a bad idea to go with slightly longer, but mainly better, ones. I'd be curious what was done as well. Could be a spring level vs a spacer level, or a reverse level?? But a 2" level, with a spacer, makes the truck ride like crap. I'm not a fan of the 2" level, but it does work out for lots of people... but the cost is a worse ride, and reduced loaded performance. Anything above 2" gets expensive quick, and should only be done with sway bar mods, control arms, springs (no spacers), etc. At that point you're likely using the truck more for fun that towing/hauling as you lose a lot of hauling capability with bigger lifts.... that doesn't even address the rear which already has too big of blocks, IMHO.

What cost a bunch of money? As evan stated there is plenty of adjustment in the stock suspension/steering for a 2” level, assuming its all in good working order. The biggest issue with a 2” level is the ride quality goes to crap.

I haven't seen any wheel to wheel options in black, but I'll keep an eye out.

On my 05 I started with a 2" level kit and dropped to a 1" level kit. The 1" level kit rode MUCH better than the 2", an unanticipated benefit due to the control arms being and a shallower angle. My '18 has the auto-level suspension which rides slightly higher in the front (.2"), and sightly lower in the back (1.6"), than a standard spring suspension. I really enjoy the lower tailgate for loading things, as it's still pretty darn high. I would consider the reverse level over a 2" block if that height is good for your truck. Even 1" up in front and 1" down in the back would get you level and not effect too much.

Are you looking for cab length or wheel to wheel?

Luckily the next Friday the 13th with a full moon is 30 years away. I’ve been having the same issue. Phone and computers.

Yes it is. No complaints, and all the emissions is intact... thou no regen on this run. Regens don’t seem to eat much fuel anymore, and usually only last for 10 miles. Just hit 10000 miles last week, and 1900 of them are towing. I’m guessing she’s getting pretty close to broke in, but time will tell. She seems to get very similar mileage to my 05 towing and around town, even better at 65 and above due to the long legs of the AISIN and 3.42’s.

I would be contacting them, as they are publishing contradictory information about that fluid.

Headed over to Ontario this morning for new tires. Not the longest drive but I did play with the the EVIC mileage page and got the following. Total trip 53.4 miles average mpg 22.2 ~15 mile stretch at 65 showed 27.7 ~30 mile stretch at 80 showed 19.7 My average EVIC error is 7%. Can’t complain about those numbers at all, especially for 8,500lbs of truck.

I'm trying to find that description and can't. The one I found on BG750 says this, The high level of extreme pressure additive in a GL-5 type product can be aggressive toward yellow metals utilized in many standard transmissions or transfer cases. To me that's not something I would put in a NV4500 with syncro's. This is the product you're talking about, correct? https://www.bgprod.com/catalog/drive-line/bg-ultra-guard-full-synthetic-gear-lubricant/#bg-product-6

Looks great! I just finished up my OBA 2 weeks ago. I had a ViAir 450 on my 05, but dropped to a 400 for the ‘18. I never ran the 450 long enough to need to continuous rating and the 400 is a bit faster. No tank for me, I really only use it for tires and a tank makes the first 1-2 faster, but then takes longer for the rest... unless you have 15+ gallons, which I didn’t want. Mine is mounted under the bed on the drivers side. I ran a hose to the rear bumper mount. With a 25’ hose I can reach all 4 tires on the truck and trailer.

Since it’s a 3500 he won’t have to worry about TPMS at lower tire pressure, since 3500’s have TPIS. I only occasionally add fuel additives to my 18. 99% of users don’t, and premature failure isn’t running rampant. I use the EB as often as possible, but only use TH when towing. It’s not as nice driving when empty. It also eats more fuel around town. DEF doesn’t last as long above 90°F, so I recommend running the truck on the bottom half of the tank in the summer. Add either a 2.5 gallon box, or pump 2 gallons at a truck stop, when the low DEF light comes on. I need to look into that fluid film, but we’re lucky here in Boise and don’t have much corrosion. I couldn’t believe how much older dads 06 looked than my 05 just from being in Seattle vs Boise. The 05 looked new still. Only use OEM fuel filters, ONLY! Which trans did he get? A 3” softer ride suspension and some 35’s might do wonders as well, for truck and driver, if he doesn’t tow heavy.

Great truck! Gotta love white.

Electronic Vehicle Information Center It’s technically the standard cluster that has an EVIC, and the premium cluster has a Multi-View Driver Info Display, but EVIC is used synonymously.

Confined today that my track bar has a bad bushing. It’ll get a new track bar this weekend, and hopefully cures my sporadic 48-54 mph shake.

Yep, 03-05 but not an early 03 judging by the steering wheel.

Pretty similar to the EVIC numbers I see. My EVIC averages 7% on the optimistic side. 4th gens are very comfortable on the highway, with or without a trailer. We did 1158 miles over Labor Day weekend, 885 towing, and are very pleased with our choice to upgrade.

There isn’t a sensor on the engine for oil temp.