Lifting front question

Hey Guys,

new to the forum but getting a lot of great info. I have a 04 DC Limited 2WD and i just ordered a OME 2.5" front lift, will i need to order any special parts for this? im renting a coil compressor from auto zone, the big one, but thinking it should just be plug and play...

Thanks for the help in advance. It gets here Monday, so i am thinking maybe next weekend for installing, so hoping i can order what i need before then.

 

@imDementeD has OME on his, and I think a few others. You may have issues with alignment without aftermarket control arms.

 

Thanks for the feedback. Will UCAs be a requirement once they are one, or is something i can get away with for a bit...my truck is all pavement miles.

 

There has been conflicting opinions on this. A few people said they ran stock UCA's for a while and got away with it. It might be something you won't know until you try.

@Darkness didn't you get by with your stock UCA's for a while? It does seem like the OME coilovers provide more lift than my ICON's. I'm not sure about your Fox units but I gained exactly 2" in the front. OME seems closer to 3".

 

There are 2 reasons to consider aftermarket arms.

1) Tire clearance - typically when people lift the front end they also run a bigger tire. If you stay with a 265 width probably not a problem. If you run a 285 you'll likely hit the upper arm with tire unless you are running aftermarket wheels with less backspace than stock wheels. (4.5" or less backspace should clear a 285 tire)

2) Suspension angles - When you lift the front end on these trucks you are changing the static ride angle of the upper arm and lower arm. The lower arm won't be maxed out but the upper can get pretty close to the end of its cycle at 2.5". What can happen is the upper ball joint is constantly flexing at the new static angle, and when you hit bumps it is flexing much more than before with a smaller range of allowed movement. In short, upper ball joints will wear faster. For that reason it's a good idea to consider aftermarket upper arms.

I ran stock arms on my truck at more than 3" of lift for about a year. I didnt have any problems but the upper ball joints would clack hard if I hit speed bumps with enough momentum. It was pretty embarrassing slowing down for speed bumps in a lifted truck.

I would say run what you have but save some cash up for maintenance related changes like new lower ball joints, new outer tie rod ends, new sway bar links. Also see how your truck does on stock upper arms, if it isn't making bad noises or the upper ball joint doesn't look like it's being bent over, then just keep in mind you'll want to replace the joint soon. If there is trouble, then don't bother replacing the joint. Instead look into SPC arms or similar for long term peace of mind.

 

@FirstGenVol @Darkness Thanks for the feedback, thats really great information. Im going to upgrade the UTAs when i can, but hopefully i can install the kit and get away with it for maybe 3-6 months. I was hoping for closer to 2-2.5" of lift from this kit as my front sags about 2.25", but if i need to add a 1" spacer in the back, that's no problem. Goal is to fit 33"s when it's all done.

Thanks again!

 

also i dont plan on buying new tires now, more like spring of next year, so i will have time to replace UTAs before i get tires.

 

I'm running the OME but I went 886 springs which was more lift than expected. I THINK stock is 20" from center hub to fender flare and I was/am at 24". I need to check again now that there are more miles on it with the winch to see if it settled anymore.

I did go SPC UCA's for more adjustability which helped get my tires off my frame at full lock. Were they needed? I think so with the amount of lift I got but 2-2.5" is probably ok depending on how you use it.

 

Thanks for the help! Im going to try and get by with it as is for now, but after looking at the SPC UCAs you all have suggested, not that expensive for a better ride and less wear on parts.

 

Consider paying a garage a couple bucks to swap out the shocks. I had the same compressor and there was no way it was working. Case of Coors to my mechanic down the road and in 15 minutes they were swapped.

 

local off road shop offered $150 to assemble them for me if i brought all the parts....planning on renting this compressor, is this the one you used? reviews were good.

could try other shops but didnt after that response.

 

Ah that style isn't available at mine as far as I know. That should work for you, the coils didn't have enough room to get the "claws" to hook on.

 

Yea I attempted the claw ones and the pin never could lock over my coil, so I never felt safe trying. Saw this one and have read really good results for trucks and since it’s free to rent for 3 MONTHS, why not!

 

Just a note that the OP is driving a 2WD. Wasn't sure if any of the advice provided would change if a 4WD was assumed.
I'm still learning the suspension / lift details myself...