9GUY9

I had posted this in the Lets See some lowered trucks thread. Since posting I have had several people ask me where it was and for more info. So I figured I'd start a new thread so its a bit easier to find.

All pictures, except the stock pic, have 1.25" wheel spacers installed.


Stock Height 2017 4x4 MaxTow, fender to ground height rear:40.5", Front :37.5";





Rear 4x4 Spacer Blocks removed, fender to ground height rear:39.5", front:37.5";





Stock Front, Rear 4x4 blocks removed, Belltech 1" lowering Shackles. Fender to ground height Rear 38.5", Front 37.5";

9GUY9

Belltech 1002sp kit installed, no spacers on front struts, 4x4 block removed. Fender to ground height Rear:38.5" Front:32.5";



Belltech 1002sp kit installed with 2" of spacers on front struts, 4x4 blocks removed. Fender to ground height Rear: 38.5" Front:34.5";

9GUY9

As it sits today, in winter setup. Fender to ground height Rear:34.5" Front 34";








Currently the truck is sitting 3.5"/6". Rides very similar to stock, and handles excellent.

I slotted the rear control arm mounting points and with out any additional parts was able to get it aligned very close to spec, only having more caster than called for.

Parts used:

Front Struts: Belltech 25007 with 1.5" of spacers installed.
http://www.belltech.com/products/bel...o-1-25007.html

Rear Socks: Belltech 2761EE
http://www.belltech.com/belltech-str...ce-2716ee.html

MaxTrac 4" rear axle flip kit 303240
https://maxtracstore.com/2015-2018-f...axtrac-303240/

Hellwig rear sway bar 7743

Ebay China special 1.25" wheel spacers.

9GUY9

Summer Setup

22"x9.5" KMC Reverts powder coated Sun Gold, with a Matte clear. 305/40/22 Nitto 420 tires. With 1.25" wheel spacers.

No rubbing in the front. A VERY slight rub on the top inner portion of the fender flair when compressed to the bump stops.

9GUY9

I tow a 29' RV that weights about 5500lbs, with about 700lbs hitch weight. I did a couple hundred miles towing with the truck setup like above and wasn't really pleased with the outcome. I had to put so much tension on my weight distributing hitch that it was causing binding when turning, and really wigging out the factory steering sensors, giving me a dash full of warning lights, and shutting down most of the factory handling systems. In addition to that the ride was terrible, bucking and diving over bumps.

I removed the Belltech Shocks and installed a set of Monroe 817 Max-Air, Air assist shocks. The shocks can run from 20-150PSI in them to provide up to a claimed 800lbs weight capacity. With my camper hooked up and no weight distributing hitch installed, inflating the shocks to 150psi raised the back of the truck 1". I installed the air valve next to the rear license plate. I am a avid mountain biker, so I always have a bicycle floor pump in my truck. The pump works perfect for airing up the shocks. When towing I run them at 140-150psi, normal driving I have been running them around 30-40PSI. These shocks have much less dampening that the BellTechs. Making the ride in daily driving softer, but less controlled. The rear end feels like its floating around more that with the belltechs.





I just returned home from 500 miles of towing the camper. With the shocks aired up to 150psi, and the weight dist hitch setup the truck towed incredible. Cruising down the freeway between 70-80 mph was very controlled. The ride was much, much better than with out the shocks. The shocks allowed the weight dist hitch to be setup much better, making it more effective at sway control, and improving handling. It also eliminated all the trucks handling computer issues.

I wont claim the Max-Air shocks are better that real air bags, but they are a lot cheaper and easier to install. For $65 they made a night and day difference in how well my truck tows.

Boudreaux80

Thanks for posting. I never thought about air shocks instead of bags. I have a 15 screw that i want to put a 3/5.5 on. I tow a camper, it has a 400lb hitch weight @ 17' long so much smaller than yours. Air shocks would prob do great for a cheap easy alternative.

jskwarek

Digging up an old post but 9guy9 can you please confirm your final setup, for me? No bottoming out the axles on the bump stops, just a little rubbing in the rear at the fender?

TIA, JS