Zach94
Member
I've been wanting to lift my truck, your basic 3/2 lift like you see so many of, but I'd wanted to retain my air suspension. My truck is generally empty except for me; or it's loaded with my family, friends, and pulling my boat. So, the air suspension is nice to keep my truck comfortable and flexible.
I was only able to find a couple questions about lifting the rear air suspension, but never any conclusions on here. So, I decided to try myself.
I ordered a spacer kit, including the rear, in case I wanted to try using them, but for now my solution does not require spacers. I am simply installing longer ride height sensing links that force the leveling suspension into maintaining a higher ride height.
I purchased standard gas strut rod ends from McMaster Carr (PN 9416K86 $1.39ea), some 6mm all-thread, and 6mm jam nuts. by assembling the rod ends onto a section of the all-thread, I can make ride height sensors of any height that I'd like. You can also change the (rear) ride height in about 1min flat.
My stock links were about 4in long, and it works out that the lift height is about a 4:1 ratio. So, 2in higher means .5" longer links. I cut my all-thread to a length of about 3.75" (the ends add about .75"), installed the jam nuts, installed the rod ends (180deg offset), tightened the jam nuts against them...and they're done. Then all that needs to be done is to pop the old links off with a flat blade screwdriver, push the new ones on, and let the suspension reset.
I actually started with a 3" rear lift to make sure my 4:1 ratio was correct, and cut down after that, makes it really easy to tune the rake of the truck and try out a 3/2.5 or 3/2 or 3/1.5 lift.
As an additional note, make sure any time you remove the links and mess with the ride height sensors that you have the air suspension set to "OFF"
I was only able to find a couple questions about lifting the rear air suspension, but never any conclusions on here. So, I decided to try myself.
I ordered a spacer kit, including the rear, in case I wanted to try using them, but for now my solution does not require spacers. I am simply installing longer ride height sensing links that force the leveling suspension into maintaining a higher ride height.
I purchased standard gas strut rod ends from McMaster Carr (PN 9416K86 $1.39ea), some 6mm all-thread, and 6mm jam nuts. by assembling the rod ends onto a section of the all-thread, I can make ride height sensors of any height that I'd like. You can also change the (rear) ride height in about 1min flat.
My stock links were about 4in long, and it works out that the lift height is about a 4:1 ratio. So, 2in higher means .5" longer links. I cut my all-thread to a length of about 3.75" (the ends add about .75"), installed the jam nuts, installed the rod ends (180deg offset), tightened the jam nuts against them...and they're done. Then all that needs to be done is to pop the old links off with a flat blade screwdriver, push the new ones on, and let the suspension reset.
I actually started with a 3" rear lift to make sure my 4:1 ratio was correct, and cut down after that, makes it really easy to tune the rake of the truck and try out a 3/2.5 or 3/2 or 3/1.5 lift.
As an additional note, make sure any time you remove the links and mess with the ride height sensors that you have the air suspension set to "OFF"
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