bowtiebutler956
Active Member
I'm going to be upgrading to 285/75-16's pretty soon in place of my 265's, and I wanted to make sure I had plenty of clearance for them. I'm sure they would fit, but I wanted to have plenty of room, so I picked up an inexpensive Keys, and Blocks kit. http://www.ebay.com/itm/201250223471?_trksid=p2060778.m2749.l2649&ssPageName=STRK:MEBIDX:IT
The kit came with new torsion keys (for 8 lug trucks), 2" tappered rear block (for keeping pinion angle correct), and U bolts.
After installing the kit, I went for a test drive, and it road horrible! The front felt like it didn't have any suspension at all!
After a closer inspection, I found the problem. My OE front shocks were maxed out at the end of they're travel, so the front end was preloaded. After taking the pressure back off the torsion bars, and removing the shock, it sat almost a full inch taller! I made a run to my local Orielly's Auto, and picked up a set of Rancho RS5000 shocks designed for lifted trucks (they're longer), and my truck rides much nicer. I realize Key lifts are not ideal, as the have your suspension close to being maxed out, and it puts the axles at a worse angle, but it fit the budget, and while the ride is a little firmer, its not to bad.
My upper control arm bushings were getting bad, and I had bought a set of new upper control arms awhile back. So I installed them at this time as well. You can't beat the price. You can't buy new upper ball joints, and bushings for what these cost complete. I'm sure they're from overseas, but so are the parts that I would buy to fix my old ones from the auto parts. Here are the links for the control arms.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/231064352405?_trksid=p2060778.m2749.l2649&ssPageName=STRK:MEBIDX:IT
http://www.ebay.com/itm/350953524252?_trksid=p2060778.m2749.l2649&ssPageName=STRK:MEBIDX:IT
Here are a few pics. The first two are before the lift.
Matt
The kit came with new torsion keys (for 8 lug trucks), 2" tappered rear block (for keeping pinion angle correct), and U bolts.
After installing the kit, I went for a test drive, and it road horrible! The front felt like it didn't have any suspension at all!
After a closer inspection, I found the problem. My OE front shocks were maxed out at the end of they're travel, so the front end was preloaded. After taking the pressure back off the torsion bars, and removing the shock, it sat almost a full inch taller! I made a run to my local Orielly's Auto, and picked up a set of Rancho RS5000 shocks designed for lifted trucks (they're longer), and my truck rides much nicer. I realize Key lifts are not ideal, as the have your suspension close to being maxed out, and it puts the axles at a worse angle, but it fit the budget, and while the ride is a little firmer, its not to bad. My upper control arm bushings were getting bad, and I had bought a set of new upper control arms awhile back. So I installed them at this time as well. You can't beat the price. You can't buy new upper ball joints, and bushings for what these cost complete. I'm sure they're from overseas, but so are the parts that I would buy to fix my old ones from the auto parts. Here are the links for the control arms.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/231064352405?_trksid=p2060778.m2749.l2649&ssPageName=STRK:MEBIDX:IT
http://www.ebay.com/itm/350953524252?_trksid=p2060778.m2749.l2649&ssPageName=STRK:MEBIDX:IT
Here are a few pics. The first two are before the lift.
Matt
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