First of all I really really like the way my truck sits now but I do wish it was a bit bigger. I plan to do this process in three steps:

Step 1) Get it up to around 8"
Step 2) Change the gears
Step 3) Throw on some 37" Trail Grapplers


Now here are my questions:

1) Are there any shocks out there that utilize the factory coils but are meant for 6-8" lifts?
2) Are there any custom coilovers other than KING that anyone is using?
3) Would it be bad to install a 2" spacer on top of the OEM strut considering it already has a Fabtech lower bolt on extension on it?
4) What would be best for the rear? Add-a-leafs, blocks, shackles, etc.?


I hate to ask so many questions but I want to make sure I do this the right way. I have done a lot of research so I'm pretty sure I'm headed in the right direction but as always I could be missing something. I know in the distant future I want a set of custom valved KING coilovers in the front set to 8" of lift to reduce clutter and handle the big tires well but at this point I really want those to come last since they are pretty expensive. So for now unless someone can point me in the direction of struts meant for a 6" or 8" lift I'm potentially going to use a 2" spacer in the front and an add-a-leaf in the rear. Anybody have any suggestions, opinions, or thoughts?

 

I'm not much help here but since I have custom Sway-a-ways on my truck I would say go custom coil-overs first. The ride is night and day from stock. I had some work on my coil-overs done a while back and had to run the stock setup and it was horrible compared to what I have been used to.

For the rear I'd get a set of long add-a-leafs for a good ride. A bit more of a pain to install but they have a much better ride when compared to the shorter versions.

 

BDS 8" lift kit...all you need In the rear do the AAL option, rides a lost smoother and the front gas shocks option!

 

I have a bread new 12" Rize Lift kit, still in boxes if your interested

 

seems like you are headed the right way. if you want a coilover, you can get fabtechs and crank it for 2" or use a bilstein adjustable, or go custom like stated above

 

I've got bilsteins with my rize extensions and they work great

 

Dude get out of here, no one wants to buy from ya

 

hahaha^^

 

I thought about the Fabtech coilovers but the cheapest I can find them for is about $1100. I'd rather pay the extra money and get KINGs with reservoirs unless I can find the Fabtechs a bit cheaper.

 

Yeah I've had custom valved KING 2.5s (remote reservoirs in the front and piggybacks in the rear) on a 2006 3/4 ton Dodge so I definitely know what good shocks/springs can do for a truck. How bad is the ride with an add-a-leaf like the Auto Spring version? I'd love to have a complete leaf spring set from Deaver/National but I don't see that happening right now.

 

So you've just got the 0-2" Bilsteins and mounted the extensions to them? I guess that's something else to think about. I've used Bilstein 5100s before and they were pretty nice shocks and seemed to ride better than the OEM shocks but not as good as the custom valved ones. Ideally I would like to get rid of the extensions/spacers completely.

 

call fabtech and ask if they still offer the blems for sale, they only have cosmetic issues. IIRC back when they were on their website they were about $560-600 for a pair.

 

I'll check and see but for that price I'd definitely go that route. I talked to the guy that done my lift/tires for me and he's gonna get me a price on Monday. Normally he cuts me some really good deals so I'll see what he has to offer. I do like the thought of KINGs but if I can get the Dirt Logic shocks a good bit cheaper I'll just go with them.

 

Does anyone know much about shock valving? I was checking out some Bilstein 5125/5150 shocks for the rear and they offer two different valvings in the 14" travel shocks. One is a 255/70 and one is a 298/36. Which would be closest to the correct valving for the rear of my truck? I looked up the specs for my current shocks and they are listed at ~19" collapsed and ~33" extended. The 14" travel Bilsteins spec out at ~21" collapsed and ~35" extended so I'm pretty sure they are the correct length for my application considering I'll be adding about 2" of lift to the rear.

Edit: I found one post from a while back saying that Rize recommended the 255/70 valving when used with their 2004-2008 model 8" lift so I'm assuming this is what I would need.

 

Well I got something accomplished at least....... the Fabtech shocks that have been on there for less than 10,000 miles must have been either toast or really crappy because the ride is 100% improved/different.