3" springs w/o new track bars, etc?

BDM

BDM

Well-known member
May 23, 2005
333
30
OR
I'm sure this topic has been beat to death. Wondering if I can put 3" springs on my D1 w/o driveline mods and new track bars for now. Basically want to go 3" but don't have the budget for a whole kit from RTE and figured I can put it together over time. Was planning on extended brakes lines immediately.

Thanks
 
BDM

BDM

Well-known member
May 23, 2005
333
30
OR
Yeah that's not ideal. I guess I could wait for a used package to come off another truck. Hard to justify spending 2k on suspension when I paid 2k for it haha
 
Jimmy

Jimmy

Well-known member
Apr 10, 2006
741
64
Aurora, CO
CORover said:
You will break or wear out everything else that is next in line to replace. Forces you to do things though.
Click to expand...

The first thing I thought of was whether or not the rotoflex had been done/removed/converted to u-joint... 'cause if not, that lift will force that issue pretty quick.
 
V

Va_Disco

Well-known member
Dec 22, 2014
106
6
Hampton Roads, Va.
Is there a specific reason your looking at the very expensive 3" lift verses one of the more affordable 2" lifts that are available? the 2" is a lot less work and still allows you to fit bigger tires and makes the truck a lot more capable while still fitting the budget.
 
E

ezzzzzzz

Well-known member
Apr 22, 2010
604
7
SE Va
I'm running 3" lift on my '97 DI (2" springs/1/2" pucks/1/2" isolators). I caster corrected the swivel balls and still run the stock panhard (which really could be swapped out for an adjustable unit to center the axle better). I was running 265's but bolted on some 245's so I wasn't banging sheetmetal when articulating. It drives like a dream but will admit there is a bit of lean at 70mph on a strong sweeping highway curve. Still it isn't white knuckle by any means. It's actually a joy to drive.
 
Shiftonthefly1

Shiftonthefly1

Well-known member
Aug 11, 2014
433
14
Las Vegas
Do the 2". Enjoy the truck. Do any and all maintenance while you drive it. Convert to the rear u-joint. Save for the 3" on the side. The 2" lift and 265 tire makes a very capable truck.
 
M

mearstrae

Well-known member
Mar 15, 2017
143
18
Pennsylvania
Lucky8 has the conversion drive shafts at a good price. Be aware that removing the old yoke on the diff can be a pain in the ass. I've done two and had to cut both old yokes off with a disc cutter.
 
lrover94

lrover94

Well-known member
Apr 20, 2004
92
0
64
South Charleston, Ohio
I have done it. It will work but there is a price. In fact, and many will whine foul on this but, anytime you alter from what the engineers put on paper and the guys in manufacturing changed to make it cheap will conflict. You have to decide what works for you. Without correcting the. Get axle ratio steering becomes tweaks and all the rotating elements are prone to failure. Roto flexes will fail so a new rear axle is in order. Then, the overall center of gravity will change.. Honestly I would do it again but just be prepared for some expenditures.
 
fishEH

fishEH

Well-known member
Jan 26, 2009
6,929
203
Lake Villa, IL
3" of lift just to run a 245/75??

ezzzzzzz said:
I'm running 3" lift on my '97 DI (2" springs/1/2" pucks/1/2" isolators). I caster corrected the swivel balls and still run the stock panhard (which really could be swapped out for an adjustable unit to center the axle better). I was running 265's but bolted on some 245's so I wasn't banging sheetmetal when articulating. It drives like a dream but will admit there is a bit of lean at 70mph on a strong sweeping highway curve. Still it isn't white knuckle by any means. It's actually a joy to drive.
Click to expand...
 
E

ezzzzzzz

Well-known member
Apr 22, 2010
604
7
SE Va
fishEH said:
3" of lift just to run a 245/75??
Click to expand...

Nope, 3" of lift for 3" of lift. The 265's were rubbing in the rear on heavy articulation. I cut that metal out on my prior 2" lifted DI but chose to slap on the 245's for additional clearance when I was considering selling the truck.
 
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