Lift / Leveling question
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Elder User
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 879
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From: at the truck pulls
Lift / Leveling question
I saw the Icon front leveling block, it is 1" thick piece of aluminum with the centering pin pressed in. Since I work at a machine shop I made them myself and decided to install.
Had to get longer u-bolts for driver side, but the passenger side (right side) had plenty of length left on the factory bolts.
Installing the right side was no problem, the left side however was. I had to pry open the space between the springs and perch on top off the axle. I know it was putting some pressure or strain on some other parts, but it may be okay.
I tightened everything up and just backed it out of the shop and let it settle. Everything looks okay and the steering seems to turn okay. I just don't want to tear something up by slowly stressing it out.
Everything I'm readding says for 1" or 2" leveling kits you don't need to do anything with pan rods or pitman arms or anything else. What else should I watch for? Should I go have it aligned now too?
Any help is appreciated, I am heading on the road in 2 days pulling my 10,000 lb 5th wheel and I don't want to break down on the road. HELP!!
Had to get longer u-bolts for driver side, but the passenger side (right side) had plenty of length left on the factory bolts.
Installing the right side was no problem, the left side however was. I had to pry open the space between the springs and perch on top off the axle. I know it was putting some pressure or strain on some other parts, but it may be okay.
I tightened everything up and just backed it out of the shop and let it settle. Everything looks okay and the steering seems to turn okay. I just don't want to tear something up by slowly stressing it out.
Everything I'm readding says for 1" or 2" leveling kits you don't need to do anything with pan rods or pitman arms or anything else. What else should I watch for? Should I go have it aligned now too?
Any help is appreciated, I am heading on the road in 2 days pulling my 10,000 lb 5th wheel and I don't want to break down on the road. HELP!!
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 1,433
Likes: 7
From: NH
I have learned that front lift blocks are a no-no. Although i don't have any experience with front leaf trucks i can't say that you will have a problem. As Icon is a reputable lift manufacturer and would think these are exceptable to their standards but then again i have always learned front lift blocks "can" cause severe safety issues.
Seeing as you made them yourself are you 100% sure that what you produced is an exact mimick of the Icon unit? Again i am not familiar with front lift blocks and am unaware if the have any type of "pitch" to them similar to a rear block on a long bed vs short bed.
How much shorter was the u-bolt in question?
If i were you i would confirm the block set-up with a professional and if ok absolutely have the truck properly aligned by a quality alignment shop familiar with these trucks.
Generally speaking you shouldn't need any modifications regarding the track bar but thats not to say that it hasn't thrown the geometry off slightly and couldn't be recorrected.
Good luck
Seeing as you made them yourself are you 100% sure that what you produced is an exact mimick of the Icon unit? Again i am not familiar with front lift blocks and am unaware if the have any type of "pitch" to them similar to a rear block on a long bed vs short bed.
How much shorter was the u-bolt in question?
If i were you i would confirm the block set-up with a professional and if ok absolutely have the truck properly aligned by a quality alignment shop familiar with these trucks.
Generally speaking you shouldn't need any modifications regarding the track bar but thats not to say that it hasn't thrown the geometry off slightly and couldn't be recorrected.
Good luck
Postmaster
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 3,924
Likes: 6
From: Richmond BC
got a link to that front leveling block ???
hard to beelvie any company actualy sells such a product for a leaf spring truck..
coil spacers are one thing, but a leaf spring front block is really unsafe....
hard to beelvie any company actualy sells such a product for a leaf spring truck..
coil spacers are one thing, but a leaf spring front block is really unsafe....
Thread Starter
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Elder User
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 879
Likes: 0
From: at the truck pulls
I'll give it a try, here it is.
ICON Vehicle Dynamics
I don't know about any angles/degrees, but I know it's flat within +\- 0.015".
ICON Vehicle Dynamics
I don't know about any angles/degrees, but I know it's flat within +\- 0.015".
