Adding a leveling kit & towing?

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Mar 8, 2018 | 03:23 PM

#16

Fishwater2002

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Quote:

Originally Posted by smoky_diesel

FYI, I wouldn't use Bilstein 5100 pn 24-186018 for the front. They are too short and will allow almost zero down travel after 2" lift, which has obvious negative consequences.
I would consider the next size up which is 24-185776

To convince yourself, take a tape measure to the shock (before lift) and add 2", you will see what I mean. The 24-186018 extended length is 21.5" Every truck is different so see what you have.

Option B is to use a cheap ebay shock mount extender with the 24-186018,

Since I already ordered the 24-186018’s I’ll have to see how they measure up when I get them, surprised no one else has mentioned this before but it makes total sense to me.

Mar 10, 2018 | 01:47 PM

#17

Fishwater2002

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Installed the 2” Rough Country puck leveling kit & front Bilstein’s. I have a set of Toyo Open Country AT2’s on order in 295/65R20, they’ll be installed this week. Took it down the road & the steering wheel is obviously off of center but feels pretty much the same as before the lift. Once the tires & alignment are done iI’ll start on the rears. Thinking about Bilstein rears & the Airlift 5000 ultimate bags. No compressor since I left the almost brand new wireless one compressor in my other truck when I traded it thinking I wouldn’t need bags, doh!

Mar 11, 2018 | 12:09 AM

#18

HRTKD

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From: Wyoming

Some of the aftermarket shocks are made for 0" to 2" of lift from stock. So a leveling out of the the front will not likely need an aftermarket shock that is any different that what you would use on a stock height truck. Of course, there is a limit to how much you can increase the height and still use a stock height shock.

Mar 14, 2018 | 05:55 PM

#19

smoky_diesel

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From: Chandler, AZ

Truck looks good. Just curious, with lift and front bilstiens, how much shock travel is left at normal ride height?

The Airlift 5000 ultimate have the least travel out of the available bag systems. But that may not matter to you.

Side bar:
I see airlift has a 7500# kit with 58115 bags.
https://www.airliftperformance.com/product/58115/
still only 5.7" of travel.

Mar 15, 2018 | 01:13 PM

#20

Fishwater2002

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Quote:

Originally Posted by smoky_diesel

Thanks, honestly I didn’t measure during the install since I was working in my gravel driveway with a foot of snow on the ground & wanted to finish the truck before the ground thawed. Either way the truck will never be off road except on a campground dirt road & feels better than stock going down the road. I just had a set of Toyo Open Country AT 2’s installed that are being rebalanced as we speak but after that I’ll be installing Bilstein’s in the rear. Once all the snow melts (over 30” of new snow in the last two weeks) I’ll pull the camper out & see how it squats to determine if I need the bags or not.

Mar 16, 2018 | 09:11 AM

#21

Fishwater2002

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Tires installed balanced & then rebalanced again but goes down the road great now, I’m really happy with how it came out.

Mar 16, 2018 | 11:53 AM

#22

smoky_diesel

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From: Chandler, AZ

Looks sharp nice work.

Mar 30, 2018 | 01:10 PM

#23

jimmystoys

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From: British Columbia

Your truck looks sharp in that red Fishwater! Air bags work well for me. Always there when you need to adjust. A good weight distribution with sway control and you have nothing to worry about.