"Poverty" level kits

[ErikTheRed]

The 1st pic is bone stock with the Trashforce 275/70-18, just before we installed the Traxda 1" spring spacer. The 2nd pic is after the 1" front spring lift and the new Kenda Klever R/T 285/75-18. I'm quite pleased with the look and level, so thanks for the advice to stick with the 1" level instead of more. It achieved pretty much exactly what I hoped it would. Next week it goes to the alignment shop to get everything sorted, the dude I talked to today said he knows exactly why the truck is pulling to the right. He says he sees it all the time on these Ram trucks and not to worry, it'll be on rails when he's done. Yay!

Yes, those are cemetery crypts in the pic #2 background. Good buddy of mine works at the cemetery and I was meeting him for lunch.

 

[johnmyster]

The 1st pic is bone stock with the Trashforce 275/70-18, just before we installed the Traxda 1" spring spacer. The 2nd pic is after the 1" front spring lift and the new Kenda Klever R/T 285/75-18. I'm quite pleased with the look and level, so thanks for the advice to stick with the 1" level instead of more. It achieved pretty much exactly what I hoped it would. Next week it goes to the alignment shop to get everything sorted, the dude I talked to today said he knows exactly why the truck is pulling to the right. He says he sees it all the time on these Ram trucks and not to worry, it'll be on rails when he's done. Yay!

Yes, those are cemetery crypts in the pic #2 background. Good buddy of mine works at the cemetery and I was meeting him for lunch.

If he thinks he's going to "fix" it with cross caster or by setting caster low, I'd find a new alignment shop.

 

[Rockcrawlindude]

The 1st pic is bone stock with the Trashforce 275/70-18, just before we installed the Traxda 1" spring spacer. The 2nd pic is after the 1" front spring lift and the new Kenda Klever R/T 285/75-18. I'm quite pleased with the look and level, so thanks for the advice to stick with the 1" level instead of more. It achieved pretty much exactly what I hoped it would. Next week it goes to the alignment shop to get everything sorted, the dude I talked to today said he knows exactly why the truck is pulling to the right. He says he sees it all the time on these Ram trucks and not to worry, it'll be on rails when he's done. Yay!

Yes, those are cemetery crypts in the pic #2 background. Good buddy of mine works at the cemetery and I was meeting him for lunch.

Take thuren alignment specs with you and ask him if that’s what he was planning to do

 

[ErikTheRed]

Take thuren alignment specs with you and ask him if that’s what he was planning to do

I asked him if he would align to those specs he said no problem. Its a very respected alignment shop, one-man band sorta deal. All he does is suspension and alignments.

 

[Rockcrawlindude]

I asked him if he would align to those specs he said no problem. It’s a very respected alignment shop, one-man band sorta deal. All he does is suspension and alignments.

Groovy. I did mine myself pretty close to thuren specs and it’s been great for years

If you have aftermarket wheels I recommend removing the little star washers around the wheel studs before sending her for alignment.

 

[whitexc]

The 1st pic is bone stock with the Trashforce 275/70-18, just before we installed the Traxda 1" spring spacer. The 2nd pic is after the 1" front spring lift and the new Kenda Klever R/T 285/75-18. I'm quite pleased with the look and level, so thanks for the advice to stick with the 1" level instead of more. It achieved pretty much exactly what I hoped it would. Next week it goes to the alignment shop to get everything sorted, the dude I talked to today said he knows exactly why the truck is pulling to the right. He says he sees it all the time on these Ram trucks and not to worry, it'll be on rails when he's done. Yay!

Yes, those are cemetery crypts in the pic #2 background. Good buddy of mine works at the cemetery and I was meeting him for lunch.

Looks great. You may have talked me into the 1” spacer. How was the install?

My truck drove perfect ( as much as possible that is…) with the Transforce tires and Thuren spec alignment about 15k ago. I put the Patagonia’s on and it does drift right. I’m due for annual (horse crap) safety/emissions inspection so I will have them go through the alignment again.


Sent from me

 

[ErikTheRed]

Looks great. You may have talked me into the 1” spacer. How was the install?


Sent from me

Hardest part was putting the truck on jack stands. Entire job took about an hour. You do NOT need to remove brake lines or brackets, just disconnect the top of the sway bar link and the lower shock bolt. Its a very easy job.

 

[whitexc]

Sorry I was editing my post. I do tow the 5er a bit but mostly day trips and have bags for leveling so I think the 1” will be just enough of a grocery getter level. Thanks for posting.


Sent from me

 

[ErikTheRed]

Just got it out of the alignment shop, specs print-out looks to be right on Thuren specs, and so far it feels/drives fantastic. No more right pull at any speed and the steering wheel is dead-on center. There might be a very slight tire balance concern with the new Kendas but thats a different issue. Seems Thuren specs are the answer for the notorious right pull problem, at least in my case.

 

[whitexc]

Glad it went well. What pressures are you running with the Kendas ?

My 1” kit arrived Thursday. I will get that installed over the next few days and off for alignment next Thursday along with good old state inspection.


Sent from me

 

[ErikTheRed]

Glad it went well. What pressures are you running with the Kendas ?

My 1” kit arrived Thursday. I will get that installed over the next few days and off for alignment next Thursday along with good old state inspection.


Sent from me

My glove box digital tire gauge took a crap so I just ordered a new one, be here tomorrow. The tires are currently set at door sticker pressures because I'm sure that's where Walmart kid set em, but I plan to adjust to 55 front / 45 rear and see how I like it. I'll tweak as necessary.

BTW, let us know what the "powder coat" looks like on your Traxda spacers. Mine were horribly chipped as if they got tossed around in a ball mill for about 20 minutes. I had to buy a can of Rustoleum Professional flat black and do a bunch of touch-up, and I'm positive the Rustoleum is more durable than the so-called "powder coating" from Traxda.

 

[whitexc]

My glove box digital tire gauge took a crap so I just ordered a new one, be here tomorrow. The tires are currently set at door sticker pressures because I'm sure that's where Walmart kid set em, but I plan to adjust to 55 front / 45 rear and see how I like it. I'll tweak as necessary.

BTW, let us know what the "powder coat" looks like on your Traxda spacers. Mine were horribly chipped as if they got tossed around in a ball mill for about 20 minutes. I had to buy a can of Rustoleum Professional flat black and do a bunch of touch-up, and I'm positive the Rustoleum is more durable than the so-called "powder coating" from Traxda.

Oh wow. I opened the box but didn’t even look at them. The little box had some weight to it for sure so if they did a sub par packaging job I could see that.


Sent from me

 

[AH64ID]

My glove box digital tire gauge took a crap so I just ordered a new one, be here tomorrow. The tires are currently set at door sticker pressures because I'm sure that's where Walmart kid set em, but I plan to adjust to 55 front / 45 rear and see how I like it. I'll tweak as necessary.

I believe all the trucks have STFA meaning the dash updates tire pressure in real time and can be used for inflating and deflating tires accurately.

On 285/75R18’s 50 psi will get you enough load rating for the FAWR, so it’s likely 55 is still too much pressure. For what my CCLB HO weighs for daily driving I’d run 45 front.

For the rear 65 psi gets you enough load rating for the RAWR. A CCLB is under 4K on the rear empty. 35 psi is plenty.

 

[whitexc]

I now, after JScan mods, have 45 psi at all four corners. Truck rides nice. I would adjust accordingly when hooked to the 5er.


Sent from me

 

[ErikTheRed]

I believe all the trucks have STFA meaning the dash updates tire pressure in real time and can be used for inflating and deflating tires accurately.

On 285/75R18’s 50 psi will get you enough load rating for the FAWR, so it’s likely 55 is still too much pressure. For what my CCLB HO weighs for daily driving I’d run 45 front.

For the rear 65 psi gets you enough load rating for the RAWR. A CCLB is under 4K on the rear empty. 35 psi is plenty.

Im sure you're right (you usually are), but running around on tires that low goes against my core values. LOL! It just seems "wrong" to drive around on tires that are at less than half their rated max pressure. How is fuel economy affected?

 

[AH64ID]

Im sure you're right (you usually are), but running around on tires that low goes against my core values. LOL! It just seems "wrong" to drive around on tires that are at less than half their rated max pressure. How is fuel economy affected?

I did a quick trip to the desert yesterday to shoot and was lazy, didn’t air down. Last time I drove the truck I was towing my 5th wheel and next time I drove the truck I’ll be towing the 5th wheel. It was aweful! Crappy ride, crap traction, uneven wear. I almost dropped them to 35 psi while shooting, but it’s only a few miles. I should have.

Nothing wrong with running down to 35 psi, it’s a published pressure.

Fuel economy is probably less at 35 than 65-80, but it’s pretty negligible. The other benefits to traction (acceleration/deceleration), ride, wear, and puncture resistance are worth it.

 

[That One Guy]

I did a quick trip to the desert yesterday to shoot and was lazy, didn’t air down. Last time I drove the truck I was towing my 5th wheel and next time I drove the truck I’ll be towing the 5th wheel. It was aweful! Crappy ride, crap traction, uneven wear. I almost dropped them to 35 psi while shooting, but it’s only a few miles. I should have.

Nothing wrong with running down to 35 psi, it’s a published pressure.

Fuel economy is probably less at 35 than 65-80, but it’s pretty negligible. The other benefits to traction (acceleration/deceleration), ride, wear, and puncture resistance are worth it.

Where in the desert you located?

When I shoot here in Vegas, I rarely air down in my Tundra as well, but regret every minute of it. I am hoping they come up with a crack of the 25s CAN soon so I can get rid of the TPMS light when running around at half of the tire pressure

 

[AH64ID]

Where in the desert you located?

When I shoot here in Vegas, I rarely air down in my Tundra as well, but regret every minute of it. I am hoping they come up with a crack of the 25s CAN soon so I can get rid of the TPMS light when running around at half of the tire pressure

Boise, Idaho. I went to the desert south of town.

 

[ErikTheRed]

I aired down to 50 front, 40 rear. Honestly, I don't like it. Hard to explain, and maybe I'm just a nitwit, but the truck feels "sloppy" at those pressures, kinda like something is loose in the front suspension. I aired up to 55 front, 50 rear and it feels much better. Still takes the sharp bumps kinda rough but thats ok, its a 1-ton truck not a Buick.

 

[MadMedic117]

Late to the party but I chose the 2" Bilstein spring and front shock kit for my 21 3500. The rear center of wheel to arch is 27" and the front is 26.5". Rides very nice on 35's as well. Seems like a good kit for sub $600