D44 lift...upgrading
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From: Penns Woods
D44 lift...upgrading
I have been searching the posts, looking for info on d44 and lifts... I installed a rough country 4" lift on the truck I'm building (it's still a rolling chasis). When I started the build/restoration I was planning on only driving the truck occasionaly, to shows, on sundays... Now, it looks like it will be my primary vehichle. I want to do it right. Will the extended radius arms and the superrunner steering kit make my baby a good highway driver. What else can I do to improve handleing and durability? Anyone have any experience with these parts?
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From: Louisiana
For a 4" lift, you don't NEED steering or radius arm anything, BUT..... Some 3" radius arm drop brackets with some 4* C bushings would make for a better ride, and a drop pitman arm would help a lot. I know rough country doesn't include the extended brake lines, so unless you put them on already, you should put those too.
The rough country coils suck(no offense), and some deaver, skyjacker, rancho, or cage off road coil springs would help the smooth out the ride a lot better, and give you more flex, all while not sagging over time like the RC sprigs do.
What type of lift did you do in the rear?
The rough country coils suck(no offense), and some deaver, skyjacker, rancho, or cage off road coil springs would help the smooth out the ride a lot better, and give you more flex, all while not sagging over time like the RC sprigs do.
What type of lift did you do in the rear?
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From: Penns Woods
MBBFord, I have extended brake lines, radius drop down brackets, and a drop pitman arm. I had my leafs rebuilt, and then used the blocks in the back. I am really trying to do a beatiful job building this truck. It is my entire life now...that's why I am regretting not purchasing a better quality lift.
Also, I live in Pennsylvania, but work for the forest service in new mexico in the summer. That will be a 2,000 mile trip twice a year with the truck. I'v already invested thousands of dollars and many many hours. I don't wanna skimp now. Do you think the radius arms and steering kit will improve the handleing? I'll do anything to improve the truck...
Also, I live in Pennsylvania, but work for the forest service in new mexico in the summer. That will be a 2,000 mile trip twice a year with the truck. I'v already invested thousands of dollars and many many hours. I don't wanna skimp now. Do you think the radius arms and steering kit will improve the handleing? I'll do anything to improve the truck...
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From: Louisiana
Didn't know you had a 84 F150, I was thinking it was a 70s, b/c there was no mention about the D44TTB, but a 24 year old truck doing 4,000 miles in two trips is going to be expensive/hard on the truck.
About the steering kit, I don't have any experience with that....
About the steering kit, I don't have any experience with that....
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From: Penns Woods
I guess that was pretty stupid not to mention the year and modle of the truck. Sometimes I overlook the simple things. As for the truck, it should be able to handle the trip. EVERYTHING is either new or rebuilt on it...frame up. Even put in a zf overdrive tranny for the highway traveling.
The old posts mentioned lift kits causing problems with alignments, frame stress, and handleing on TTB modles. I was wondering if parts like the superruner stering system and extended radius arms actually make a difference...a $900 difference?
The old posts mentioned lift kits causing problems with alignments, frame stress, and handleing on TTB modles. I was wondering if parts like the superruner stering system and extended radius arms actually make a difference...a $900 difference?
Post Fiend
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From: Joppa, Maryland
You may want to ask this on fullsizebronco.com, the ttb setup is the same and they have a lot of experience with it. I've never dealt with a ttb truck. I'd recommend the sky manufacturing shackle flip for the rear to replace those blocks though. Sounds like a cool project, post some pictures of the progress if you can.
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From: Penns Woods
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We put a RC 4" on a buddy's 95, and it isn't that bad with the drop pitman. Sure, it would be better with better steering, radius arms, shocks, springs, etc. but for the price it isn't a bad ride.
I would say just run it.
I would say just run it.
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From: Naples, FL
if you want to do it right sell the RC lift still in the box...and buy a superlift or skyjacker...I prefer skyjacker...but superlift is just as good. And if your going to do that get the super runner or class II systems as they come with all the extended everything and give you everything you could possibly need... and are definetly the best engineered kits around....thats IMO
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From: Louisiana
Originally Posted by codyingersoll123
if you want to do it right sell the RC lift still in the box...and buy a superlift or skyjacker...I prefer skyjacker...but superlift is just as good. And if your going to do that get the super runner or class II systems as they come with all the extended everything and give you everything you could possibly need... and are definetly the best engineered kits around....thats IMO
Only thing I'd change is the coils, but other than that, the RC lift would be just as good as superlift.
IF everything is new or rebuilt, then you might be in good shape. I would feel comfortable driving my 77 F100 2,000 miles b/c everything is in great shape(new), but I wouldn't like the gas mileage.
I'd make sure to bring plenty of extra fluid(just in case) for everything. Possibly extra parts, and at least one spare and a jack.
Just think, what could go wrong, and prepair for it, and you should be good to go.
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From: SE Texas
Originally Posted by masterguns2003
I have been searching the posts, looking for info on d44 and lifts... I installed a rough country 4" lift on the truck I'm building (it's still a rolling chasis). When I started the build/restoration I was planning on only driving the truck occasionaly, to shows, on sundays... Now, it looks like it will be my primary vehichle. I want to do it right. Will the extended radius arms and the superrunner steering kit make my baby a good highway driver. What else can I do to improve handleing and durability? Anyone have any experience with these parts?
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From: Penns Woods
I did install the lift kit already, and I did have a heck of a time aligning the brackets...took a little drilling, grinding, and cursing.
That is exactly the info I was looking for. I will buy the superrunner, but not sure about the radius arms. I'm trying to find out all of the benifits yet.
That is exactly the info I was looking for. I will buy the superrunner, but not sure about the radius arms. I'm trying to find out all of the benifits yet.
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From: SE Texas
Main benefit of the extended radius arms is better wheel travel compared to the stock arms. I've found it easier to align the frontend, too, particularly with caster issues. the drop brackets and stock arms tend to want to rotate the frontend up and toward the center of the rig. That affects the caster. Most extended arms are also bent slightly inward, which will help with your turning radius. You'll still have tire rub on the arms at full steering lock, but not near as much as with the stock arms. JSM84
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