2WD leveling questions

neverkickn · Sep 1, 2012

I haven't been able to find much info on leveling 2WD trucks. I have a 2" spacer kit for my truck and I want to put it on but I have a few questions.

Anyone know if I have to use shock extenders? Is the lift going to bring the inside of the tire closer to the frame in effect reducing my turn radius? I have 33's on the truck now and when I turn hard it will rub a little on the rear of the tire. I don't mind running a wheel spacer if I have to but I don't want any more than I need to get the tire to clear.

Also, how hard is it to align with the lift? is it even possible to get it perfect?

neverkickn · Sep 1, 2012

neverkickn · Sep 2, 2012

I am mainly concerned with steering geometry here. Anyone that has done this care to comment on how well the truck was able to be alligned after the lift?

Did you need new camber sleeves or where the stock ones suffecient?

How is your caster, does the truck return to center and is the steering just right in terms of responsiveness?

bryan.d · Sep 2, 2012

I had the 2" spacers installed on my truck. I had issues with getting the alignment right. My truck needed to have over 2.5º of camber correction. It was a not easy to get that amount of correction. My truck still rode like a dump truck. Your truck may be different. I'm in the process of doing a 05 4wd conversion to get the height I want. Sorry I couldn't give a good experience with my truck.

neverkickn · Sep 2, 2012

I would rather real world honest feedback. Thanks for the input. I am going to call the top allignment shop and the dealer on Tuesday and run over it with them. If they tell me that I will have issues then I may just wait till I can do the 05 4x4 conversion too.

To do a lift with drop brackets for the I beams and radius arms is at least half way to the cost of a 4x4 conversion. If I cant do it right with spacers then I ain't doing it with a 2wd.

neverkickn · Sep 4, 2012

Talked to the allignment shop today and they said it is a crap shoot. He said they will most likely be able to get it alligned good but that he couldn't guarentee it. He did say that it would probably take some new camber sleeves.

I am gonna put the spacers in this weekend and get it in the shop on Monday. Before and after pics to come along with personal experience with coil spacers on the 2wd.

SouthFlstrokin' · Sep 4, 2012

It was a complete waste of money, I used new longer shocks too. You'll need New camber sleeves, shock extenders or new longer shocks. i saw a 1.5 inch lift. I was thoughally pissed. I wished i put the money towards a lowering kit.

neverkickn · Sep 4, 2012

I have the shock extenders. I cant lower cause it would put my trailer at a forward lean. Where you able to get it alligned properly?

SouthFlstrokin' · Sep 4, 2012

yes but the tire wear sucked, honestly i wouldn't do it again

neverkickn · Sep 5, 2012

Hmm, sounds like the alignment might have been off a little. Had your truck been wrecked?

SouthFlstrokin' · Sep 5, 2012

Never, my front end was worn though, just wasn't really worth it to me. I won't even say how much was spent on that lol but let's just say, I should have done dream beams instead

neverkickn · Sep 5, 2012

Worn suspension parts may have something to do with itLOL

All my stuff is pretty tight. I guess I will know soon enough how well it works out.

SouthFlstrokin' · Sep 5, 2012

Good luck

TrailerHauler · Sep 7, 2012

I put a 2" leveling kit on my 2wd a few years back, here's a picture.

I didn't need shock extenders, the factory length worked fine. I can't really comment on any tire offset changes because I certainly didn't notice anything with the truck being a dually and having a 235/85-16 tire on there. Lastly the alignment was kind of a pain for sure, but I had a really good shop take care of me and get it just about spot on. I don't remember exactly what was done but the camber was maxed out, and I think I remember the shop doing a little grinding on the camber sleeves. The truck drove straight down the road and the tires wore just like they should too.

neverkickn · Sep 9, 2012

Got the spacers in today. Wasn't hard at all. Just disconnect the tie rod ends, lower shock mount, and sway bar and un hook the spring. I did have to cut the factory stud in order to bring the shoulder on the stud extenders down below the spacers but that wasn't a big deal. I drop it off in the morning for an allignment. Hopefully they can get it right. It did have some mean camber after the install.

neverkickn · Sep 10, 2012

Got it alligned within spec. They had to use different camber sleeves but it is right. It runs down the road straight and comes back to center out of a turn. I get new tires tomorrow so I will post up a pic after that.

neverkickn · Sep 13, 2012

Got the new rubber on and it is pretty squirly now when I hit uneven or bumpy roads. It will track straight when I am on smooth surface but the bumpy/sloped roads make it veere.

I need to check to see if something is loose from the lift install and have the shop recheck the allignment if it still feels off. I had my mechanic lift the truck and check the front suspension before I even put the lift on so according to him the wheel bearings, ball joints and steering linkage is good.

Any input on something that I might be missing is appreciated