V2500 4in lift replacement? ORD?

[Bennyt]

Just some thoughts based on my K5 build.

35" tire will hit the back of the front fender if going off-road. I'd go 6" lift or 33" tire.

4 or 6" Deaver Spring up front with 1" ORD spring block

2.5 or 4" Shackle flip w/ Deaver Spring in rear.

Sulastic shackles on rear greatly improves ride when unloaded. Not totally sure you can use with shackle flip.

Timbren SES in rear for towing. Can probably get by with a 1/2 ton spring for softer ride with SES or air bag. I don't like airbags personally.

 

[Chris64]

You aren't supposed to start adjusting the box with the sector lash adjuster. You are supposed to set the worm gear thrust from the front of the box. If the gear is moving forward and back when you turn the wheel it's not turning the pitman arm during that time. That's what was going on with the guy aboves box. I've got factory procedure somewhere I'll come back and add it.

Just to follow up on this, the problem was the pitman arm. It seems like there no backlash on the spline coming off the steering box and the frame isn't cracked. The arm seems to be wandering on the bolt that's hold it in place. The bolt was not loose, but not fully tightened either. I tightened it up a bit and that helped a ton. It maybe has about 2" of slop.

I'll replace the pitman arm when I get my new suspension and the rest of the slop is probably all the linkage which I plan to replace as well.

I may tackle rebuilding the steering box anyway just because. I'm sure it needs it.

 

[Frankenchevy]

Timbren I don't like airbags personally.

I’ve heard other people say this. Curious why you don’t like airbags?

 

[Bennyt]

I’ve heard other people say this. Curious why you don’t like airbags?

When they work, they are great. But, I can't think of anyone I've ever met/ known that has had them work perfectly/ reliably from day of install to say, 5 years down the road. Line failures, compressor failures, bag ruptures, controller issues, etc. Something else to maintain, something else to break.

 

[Frankenchevy]

When they work, they are great. But, I can't think of anyone I've ever met/ known that has had them work perfectly/ reliably from day of install to say, 5 years down the road. Line failures, compressor failures, bag ruptures, controller issues, etc. Something else to maintain, something else to break.

Fair enough. I’ve never had those failures, but I wouldn’t be happy if I did. I’m really surprised that a name brand bag would rupture. The fact that big rigs run bags gives me peace of mind. I’ve run Firestone and Air-Lift.

If a person is having line issues, it may be that there is strain at the fittings. They should enter the fitting at a fairly relaxed angle. The other option is running braided lines. Only air component running a braided line to isn’t advisable, is an air locker. The poly lines serve as a failure point if you get snagged on a trail, rather than tearing the fitting out of your diff. Theoretically of course. I haven’t had that happen either.

 

[Chris64]

I’ve heard other people say this. Curious why you don’t like airbags?

I put them on my RV in the back just to give it more stability. I felt like it wandered way too much for my comfort. It helped a ton.

They were flawless for a few years. Plus then I had an air compressor on board. After about 5 years they developed a small leak somewhere in the line to the tank (not the bags) so it would run the compressor every time I turned the key on. Now this was an RV so it didn't see much use, which is usually worse than regular use.

The thing I was surprised about was how stiff they are. Also they're VERY progressive. Once they start compressing, they really start compressing.

I think they work really good for towing. I even used them to counteract strong winds (level out the ride).

I probably could've fixed the leak, I just didn't care enough to do it. They used those ~1/4" hard plastic lines that you cut with a blade and just push into the compression fitting. They seem to work OK for a while.

 

[Frankenchevy]

I put them on my RV in the back just to give it more stability. I felt like it wandered way too much for my comfort. It helped a ton.

They were flawless for a few years. Plus then I had an air compressor on board. After about 5 years they developed a small leak somewhere in the line to the tank (not the bags) so it would run the compressor every time I turned the key on. Now this was an RV so it didn't see much use, which is usually worse than regular use.

The thing I was surprised about was how stiff they are. Also they're VERY progressive. Once they start compressing, they really start compressing.

I think they work really good for towing. I even used them to counteract strong winds (level out the ride).

I probably could've fixed the leak, I just didn't care enough to do it. They used those ~1/4" hard plastic lines that you cut with a blade and just push into the compression fitting. They seem to work OK for a while.

With super intermittent use, I’m not surprised they’d lose pressure. Kind of like a car or bike tire over time—to me, that’s not necessarily a flaw, just temperature related fluctuations perhaps.

Some have the ferrule type compression fitting and some are push to connect. Both can be swapped for stainless flex lines with compression fittings. I think you just need the 1/8”npt adapter fitting. It been a while…

I have the plastic ones on a truck, but that truck is not running OBA. It just has Schrader valves that replaced rear license plate bolts. They have been trouble free for me. The one thing is that they are supposed to have a minimum of 10psi in them.

I think of them like a tire. They need a little air every once in a while if not used. When I air up the rear tires on that truck for a load, I air up the bags at the same time. When I air the tires back down, I bleed the bags to 10psi.

Never had one blow or bleed off while in use. I’m definitely a fan, but understand that they aren’t a set it and forget it sort of deal. If I am thinking I’ll have a regular or constant load, I’d probably consider just swapping springs.