lift question from a new guy!
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Joined: Nov 2008
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lift question from a new guy!
wow...lots of info on the forum... glad i joined... to the question...
Just picked up a 08 sd diesel... wanting to lift it either 6 or 8" , seen the few lifts available and so far so good.... buttttttttttttt i have a 34Ft tag along 2 car trailer... i know im gonna have to regear it etc.. .where do i start to investigate what to do to keep it safe while towin, wife drives it too and cant have her freak out!!
thanx for any help!
Rob
Just picked up a 08 sd diesel... wanting to lift it either 6 or 8" , seen the few lifts available and so far so good.... buttttttttttttt i have a 34Ft tag along 2 car trailer... i know im gonna have to regear it etc.. .where do i start to investigate what to do to keep it safe while towin, wife drives it too and cant have her freak out!!
thanx for any help!
Rob
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Joined: May 2006
Posts: 10,007
Likes: 4
From: Central Florida
I supose the trailer is a bumper ball style and not king pin or goose neck. I would start with upgrading the hitch to a class V or using only class IV parts for the stock hitch.
Safety and lifts are really combined. You're altering the vehicle and raising the center of gravity. However Pick a quality lift from a name brand, use good shocks, keep an eye on the suspension and steering parts (wear and tear is going to increase because of extra stress), and drive safely and you should do okay.
Several things to keep in mind. When you lift the truck, you most likely will put on bigger tires (hopefully). The larger tires weigh more than the stock, this will directly effect the shock absorbers but also has an effect on braking. A trailer with electric brakes would be a start and then upgrades to the stock brakes would be a good investment. Baer and SSBC would be where I would start with the search for better brakes for your application. Also look at the tires, you will need traction to stop so get tires that have traction for your roads (IE snow and water traction for northerners and just wet traction for southerns).
Beyond that, a good kit will come with everything you need for the suspension. It would be a good idea to check your local laws, most jurisdictions have regulations about how high above the ground head lights can be, not to mention you will need to make sure they are adjusted when you pull a trailer. Poor headlight adjustment is over looked, but if you blind someone coming at you night and they veer into it will not be pretty.
I am not sure what is available for your transmission, but your adding rolling resistance and weight to stock system. A valve body/shift kit and possibly an upgraded cooler would be something to consider.
For gearing I use the one at ET studios Gear Ratio Calculator I posted the gear ratios the other day, but I believe the 5r110 has a 0.70:1 overdrive. Use your stock tire height to get a base line for your cruise speed, then put in your new tire height and play around until you get your cruise speed back to the rpms. Once you have the baseline, you go above it (numerically) for more pulling power or below it for better mileage.
Long message short, how it's driven will have more effect on how safe it is than most of the parts you'll find to use.
Safety and lifts are really combined. You're altering the vehicle and raising the center of gravity. However Pick a quality lift from a name brand, use good shocks, keep an eye on the suspension and steering parts (wear and tear is going to increase because of extra stress), and drive safely and you should do okay.
Several things to keep in mind. When you lift the truck, you most likely will put on bigger tires (hopefully). The larger tires weigh more than the stock, this will directly effect the shock absorbers but also has an effect on braking. A trailer with electric brakes would be a start and then upgrades to the stock brakes would be a good investment. Baer and SSBC would be where I would start with the search for better brakes for your application. Also look at the tires, you will need traction to stop so get tires that have traction for your roads (IE snow and water traction for northerners and just wet traction for southerns).
Beyond that, a good kit will come with everything you need for the suspension. It would be a good idea to check your local laws, most jurisdictions have regulations about how high above the ground head lights can be, not to mention you will need to make sure they are adjusted when you pull a trailer. Poor headlight adjustment is over looked, but if you blind someone coming at you night and they veer into it will not be pretty.
I am not sure what is available for your transmission, but your adding rolling resistance and weight to stock system. A valve body/shift kit and possibly an upgraded cooler would be something to consider.
For gearing I use the one at ET studios Gear Ratio Calculator I posted the gear ratios the other day, but I believe the 5r110 has a 0.70:1 overdrive. Use your stock tire height to get a base line for your cruise speed, then put in your new tire height and play around until you get your cruise speed back to the rpms. Once you have the baseline, you go above it (numerically) for more pulling power or below it for better mileage.
Long message short, how it's driven will have more effect on how safe it is than most of the parts you'll find to use.
