Heavy duty rear lift

[nightmare73]

I've searched the threads but haven't seen a definitive way to lift a 1ton 8" and keep the O.E. load carrying characteristics. For those of you that have installed lift blocks and shackle flips, how's that working out for you? Anything you would change? I'm thinking of having Alcan make me some 4" springs(depending on $$), then installing a shackle flip. Just to keep the driveline angles at a minimum. Or another idea is to just buy some 4"springs off the shelf with shackle flip and bag it. I will not be towing or hauling very often but when I do I'll have a slide in camper @ approx 2000lbs and hopefully no more than 8000lbs on a trailer.

So what do you think? What have you done?

 

[4X4HIGH]

I've searched the threads but haven't seen a definitive way to lift a 1ton 8" and keep the O.E. load carrying characteristics. For those of you that have installed lift blocks and shackle flips, how's that working out for you? Anything you would change? I'm thinking of having Alcan make me some 4" springs(depending on $$), then installing a shackle flip. Just to keep the driveline angles at a minimum. Or another idea is to just buy some 4"springs off the shelf with shackle flip and bag it. I will not be towing or hauling very often but when I do I'll have a slide in camper @ approx 2000lbs and hopefully no more than 8000lbs on a trailer.

So what do you think? What have you done?

None of this is a good mix for hauling a slide in camper. Lifting a vehicle makes the COG higher THEN you want to add a slide in camper AND tow a trailer. This is the making for a disaster waiting for a place to happen.

 

[nightmare73]

This doesn't look like a disaster waiting to happen to me.

 

[thatK30guy]

Superlift makes the 52" rear lift spring in HD that is 8".

To fit a 1 ton, you'd need to relocate your very rear shackle hanger brackets forward 4".

Thats the only HD 8" spring I know of.

 

[Avery4jc]

Or another idea is to just buy some 4"springs off the shelf with shackle flip and bag it.

I think this is your best bet to maintain a soft ride but still have the capacity to use the slide-in as well as tow.
As scott pointed out I don't think going sky-high is the best idea if you're wanting to use your slide-in camper. Is this on a SRW truck or a dually? I think you could get away with more on a dually in this regard but still... what size tire do you want to run?
I think a 4" lift on some 35's looks great on big 1 ton tow rigs and it still keeps you somewhat low.

 

[nm4x4]

I had a buddy custom order some for a F350 from deaver.
http://www.deaverspring.com/

 

[Blue85]

lift a 1ton 8" and keep the O.E. load carrying characteristics.

I think that no matter how you do it, going up 8" changes the load carrying characteristics. As long as your loads are not too great, it can still work for your application, but it's up to you to decide what you want to compromise.

 

[nightmare73]

Thanks for all the replys. The truck is a crew cab SRW. I know the COG will change a lot. My thinking of the slide-in camper is that most all of the weight is in the bed, so with the air bags pumped up and using common sense while driving, body roll shouldn't be that bad. I haul top heavy loads quite often and while the trailer and truck are built for the weight you can still roll pretty easily if you don't use your head.

 

[tymbom]

I did a shackle flip on my M1008 and I've a hauled a cord of firewood on it before, I wouldn't want to go higher though... corners are scary

 

[79k20350]

I think ANY 8" spring will be stiff enough on its own to handle what your going to throw at it...

 

[bftank]

if you're worried about the springs, ditchem and use trailing arms and semi truck air bags like the kelderman air ride, with a swaybar.

 

[74k20]

I put some 63s in the back of my k20 and they are so soft I can barely load anything in without sagging and rolling around corners.

The solution I am working on is Firestone air bags (like you get in the heavy duty helper spring kits) that will be mounted using receiver hitch tubing and hitch pins. The bags will each have either a direct schrader valve or a quick connect to a remote fill port. They will also have limit straps to prevent ripping out. Hopefully I will pick up a lot of load capacity, stability, an still I will be able to remove them and have soft flexy suspension for the trail.

 

[tbijimmy]

What kind of tires and rims to you plan on using to maintain your load capabilities? My dad has blown 2 E range tires carrying a slide in lance camper and pulling a 3000 lb trailer, so you also have to take that into consideration. and air bags aren't meant to flex. i would say your safe with 4 inch's but 8 is pushing it.