Ultimate suspension?

[dougm]

@markatherton

Have you looked at the DynaTrac freespin kits?
They allow you to get rid of those crappy sealed unit bearings on the 2005 and newer axles? It converts them to a servicable two bearing setup versus the one bearing sealed unit. I have read nightmare stories of those unit bearings burning up and seizing leaving people stranded. Most of them i have seen cost in excess of $300 and up for a good replacement. (i would never buy a replacement unit bearing based on a lower pricetag). Burn up a unit bearing and have to be towed off the freeway once or twice and you spent more than the cost of the freespin kit...

dynatrac_freespin_with_dynaloc_for_99-04_ford_super_duty_1.jpg

dynatrac-freespin-new-ford_1_1_1_1.jpg

[FatBuoy]

I really think, after digesting all of your input and experience, that I would be better off not converting to 4x4, which really wasn’t my intent for this thread. I was wanting to add the clearance, but it sounds like doing that, and staying with the independent suspension, could lead to all of the issues mentioned. And ride quality is probably going to be more important than the clearance for me. Is there a safe amount to add lift that would still permit me to keep geometry in tact? The lifts that Action Vans and Weldtec have are pretty substantial. 5”-6” is what they tout. So, is there a way to gain a couple of inches, then gain another by a little taller tires, or is this kind an all or nothing proposition?

Blue- if 60% of your reason for not hitting some trails is because of scratches, how about Kevlar coating that bad boy? Problem solved!

[68camaro]

Is there a safe amount to add lift that would still permit me to keep geometry in tact? The lifts that Action Vans and Weldtec have are pretty substantial. 5”-6” is what they tout. So, is there a way to gain a couple of inches, then gain another by a little taller tires, or is this kind an all or nothing proposition?

My Advanced lift was for 4.5”, I believe I used 2” rear blocks.

[dougm]

I think you can buy aluminum coil spacers that go underneath the front coilsprings to gain an inch or maybe two and probably still be able to align it properly, or do some research and get some springs that will only lift it an inch or two, then install the appropriate spacer block in the rear. Thats your cheapest alternative with less aggravation and risking potential alignment nightmares. They claim that the moog cc880 springs will net 2.25 inches of lift on an E-350. After they settle in you would probably net 1.75 to 2 inches lift on the chinook. Not alot but maybe enough to keep from busting off the sewer outlet pipes when backing into a curb. As far as the tires go i dont know how tall you can go without causing issues for the ABS system or if it will cause problems at all, taller tires on the back will throw your speedometer off and the taller you go the slower the truck is going to accelerate and the further off your speedometer will get. I run 245/75-16 BFG's on mine and havent had any issues. Once its 4x4 i plan to try a slightly taller tire and see what happens. You can correct the speedometer with an electronic signal convertor but you cant correct the acceleration issue unless you swap out rearend gears.