I've spent a bit of time researching this and i think that i want to go with the full traction kit on my 2003 4x4. Currently lifted 6 inches or may be 8 on pro comp leafs and blocks in the rear. i have 30 inches from center of hub to flare. running 37s. bilstein 5100 shocks duals from carey at ct performance. it rides like a hay wagon. it always has. its not horrible, but i know it can be better. all bushings, front end components have been replaced along with a hellwig in the rear. Axles regeard to 5.13's (i think, i know they are re-geared, i just dont remember to what its been years.) v-10, headers, tune etc. added air lift air bags last year to help with sag when towing our camper. 100% street driven truck. its big and its a poser. all highway miles. my objective is just a better ride for road trips. i'm looking for an out of the box solution and it seems full traction can provide this.

the front of the full traction kit looks straight forward and makes sense to me. i understand the shock tuning has alot to do with the ride, looks like they use the 2.5 remote ressi bilstein. speaking with them they state it is tuned for the excursion and ride quality. My question is around the rear set up. the kit uses a oem leaf in the rear. along with a block to obtain the lift. this seems super odd to me. i understand the use of the shackles to free up the suspension and the oem leaf is the proper spring rate for the truck but ive always read that its better to get rid of blocks? If it seems this is acceptable from someone that knows more then me about suspensions where should i get the oem leafs from? they appear discontinued from my searching. hoping someone with some experience and knowledge can weigh in for me!

@pirate4x4_camo hopefully, old posts show he has used this kit in the past!

not new to the forum, could not find old log in info for my old account...user name andy9743 if an @Administrator can help link these it would be great!!

thanks all

 

I'd look into doing a 2005+ axle and suspension swap before the full traction kit. Unless this is more of a dedicated offroad rig?

Either way, you don't need to use OEM leaf with it, use whatever you want to match the height. I've never run a full 4 corner "matched" setup on any rig as I like to tune it a bit more for my needs and likes.

 

thanks for the reply. I really don't want to swap axles as I've already paid to have the current rebuilt and regeared. That said what would you co sider? The more I read the more I think I should be doing deavers in the rear.

 

mostly what I am reading about your desire for a 4 link is you think it is your ticket to a better riding Excursion ?
it can be but to acheive takes just as much work tuning as if you stayed with leaf springs. 4 link itself is no magic bullet to a better ride.
do a 4 link because you think they are cool and it will impress your girl friend.

 

Lol my first wife got pissed about my gf!!
I'm looking for the best off the shelf riding solution for my ex. currently have 5 like new 37s (on 17 inch rims) that ideally I'd keep with the new set up. If I can get a better ride with something like the carli deaver set up I'm game vs coil swap. Really I'm indifferent one vs the other. I'm 100% not swapping axles. Just would like it to ride better!
@pirate4x4_camo thanks for weighing in!!

 

try setting your tire preesure to match the payload. for 37x12.5 x17. 35 psi is more than adequate at 2755 lbs per tire.
in the front pull off 1 sbhock on each side, there is zdro reason to run dual shocks on a street driven excursion…other than your girlfriend thinks it looks cool.

deaver springs do not ride any diffrent than stock springs or pro comp springs or a coil spring because the spring isnt what determines ride quality.
shocks and shock valving determine ride quality along with tire pressure, axle weight, brake weight,tire and rim weight.

the springs determine the ride height and payload, not ride quality.