Question About The Leveling Kits Available For 3rd Gen Expys

[jmciver]

I have been looking at this upgrade for a while. The question I have is a technical one. What is the actual thickness of the spacer that goes on top of the strut, for both the front and rear?

I know that the thickness of the spacer does not correspond to the actual lift of the truck (the actual amount of lift is due to the suspension geometry and 4WD vs 2WD). However, I wanted to know if there is a difference between the thickness of the spacer for the front and the rear, to include a different bolt pattern as well.

eBay sells spacer kits for this truck at much more reasonable prices than some name brands (such as Truxx for example), but they advertise different amounts of lift (1.5" to 3" front and 1" to 2" rear), for front and rear. They also have kits for front, rear or both.

Can I just get two "3 inch front kits" and that will result in a 3/2 lift since my truck is a 4WD?

 

[Dib52]

I'd be leary of trying to use a front kit on the rear as they are machined differently. I ponied up for the Truxxx kit with a coupon from autoanything.com. Also know that some degree of lift comes from rotating the strut 180 degrees once the spacer is installed on top of the tower. If you go the eBay route, I'd suggest getting a front 3in and a rear 2in

 

[jmciver]

Yeah, I agree with that thought process. Based on what I was seeing on eBay, it made me think that the front and rear spacers were actually the same size/bolt pattern and the different amount of lift of the front vs rear was due to the suspension geometry, not the size/shape of the spacers.

Do you remember if your front and rear spacers were the same size and bolt pattern?

 

[Dib52]

Same size, meaning thickness? Relatively. The fronts have extra flanges on them, while the rears are more straight forward without the extra "flange" material.

 

[jmciver]

Same size, meaning thickness? Relatively. The fronts have extra flanges on them, while the rears are more straight forward without the extra "flange" material.

Yeah, same size meaning the same part, front and rear. Looking at the pictures of the Truxxx kit (and the eBay ones) the front and rear spacers looked liked they were the exact same parts (but obviously difficult to actually verify from the pictures alone).

 

[Dib52]

The fronts are completely different from the rear. My kit came with paper labels or stampings on the metal of F and R. When I opened the box it was fairly easy to tell what went where, but the labeling made it idiot proof.

 

[jmciver]

The fronts are completely different from the rear. My kit came with paper labels or stampings on the metal of F and R. When I opened the box it was fairly easy to tell what went where, but the labeling made it idiot proof.

Got it, thanks. That was the confirmation I needed.

 

[20084x4]

i was told not to go more then 2.5in. in the front for ball joint reasoning.....does anybody no if thats true also on expys?

 

[Dib52]

Here's what I was told by 4wheel parts. The Ready lift kit was dropped from them due to unnecessary stress placed on the ball joints. However, they are still more than willing to sell the Truxxx and Daystar kits and install them and stand behind their work. Hence, my decision became rather clear when the "experts" laid it out. They probably all put stress on the front end parts, just nature of the beast. If you're considering a kit, go for it, I love mine, and no issues after 20k.

 

[mrford60]

Hey Dib52 how is the ride with the lift? any different and what size tires do you have? Thanks

 

[Dib52]

Tires...Nitto 265/70/17. I will be moving up to either a 295/70/17 or a 285/75/17 sometime in the future. STILL WAITING, kids seem to take all of my play money!

Ride...I would say pretty darn close to stock. Slightly stiffer than before with a touch more body roll but absolutely nothing that you can't get used to. My wife didn't even notice. We use the Expy for road trips(Tx to Pa, 4000mi round trip)every year, as well as runs to the Tx coast and points in between and you can barely tell its under there on the interstates, very comfortable.

 

[mrford60]

i can relate about the play money and kids, thanks i plan to do the lift. i like the way yours looks with the extra clearance.

 

[Dib52]

I have before/afters somewhere on the site, feel free to search, or I'll try to figure out what thread I put them in. My gallery only has the completed pics.

 

[Dib52]

Found it, check out this thread, pages 1 and 2 have the pics as well as other info.
http://www.expeditionforum.com/showthread.php?t=14511&highlight=Truxxx+3%2F2

 

[mrford60]

thank you i am going to hopefully order them this week, providing the kids dont eat up my extra money LOL.