Dimentions
Postmaster
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 3,560
Likes: 1
it might help to have a few more details of what you're looking for, and details on the truck. such as 2 or 4 wheel drive, coils or leaf springs up front, etc.
in short, the best kits drop the inboard ends of the axle beams by the lift amount (2.5"), have springs that are taller by the same amount (or blocks to extend the springs, though not preferred), and for cases of extreme lift (probably not required for just 2.5"), drop the ends of the radius arms by the same amount. extreme lifts also raise concerns with steering, but that shouldn't be an issue with just 2.5". you'll also benefit from shocks that are longer by that same distance.
since you're only going 2.5", you might get by with just springs and shocks, though that will change your camber and caster quite a bit. the full list above can keep the existing angles with the lift.
for the rear, either taller springs, or blocks between the spring and the axle, along with longer shocks. also be aware of driveshaft angles, as lifts (especially large ones) often produce horrible driveline angles and short u-joint life. again, 2.5" shouldn't be too horrible.
on both ends, also check things like brake hoses and vent hoses for a stretched condition when the suspension is extended to its limit. again, probably not an issue with just 2.5", but better to check than to get yourself in trouble.
that said, a good fabricator can do it, but its likely more cost/time-effective to buy a pre-fab kit, and this is also less likely to cause alignment issues, as the parts you fab may be incorrect on some dimension you may not have thought of
in short, the best kits drop the inboard ends of the axle beams by the lift amount (2.5"), have springs that are taller by the same amount (or blocks to extend the springs, though not preferred), and for cases of extreme lift (probably not required for just 2.5"), drop the ends of the radius arms by the same amount. extreme lifts also raise concerns with steering, but that shouldn't be an issue with just 2.5". you'll also benefit from shocks that are longer by that same distance.
since you're only going 2.5", you might get by with just springs and shocks, though that will change your camber and caster quite a bit. the full list above can keep the existing angles with the lift.
for the rear, either taller springs, or blocks between the spring and the axle, along with longer shocks. also be aware of driveshaft angles, as lifts (especially large ones) often produce horrible driveline angles and short u-joint life. again, 2.5" shouldn't be too horrible.
on both ends, also check things like brake hoses and vent hoses for a stretched condition when the suspension is extended to its limit. again, probably not an issue with just 2.5", but better to check than to get yourself in trouble.
that said, a good fabricator can do it, but its likely more cost/time-effective to buy a pre-fab kit, and this is also less likely to cause alignment issues, as the parts you fab may be incorrect on some dimension you may not have thought of
Postmaster
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 3,560
Likes: 1
got it. well i don't have a drawing with dimensions in front of me, so i would suggest pulling a stock set off a truck and using them as a pattern for making yours. should simply need the pivot mounted 2.5" lower while keeping the same left-right position as precisely as possible
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