Ford'sFORD - T-Bar Crank to Dixon Bros 4x4 LT
#76
05-04-2009
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Remember this is a LT kit and not a "lift." Low center of gravity is your friend. I have to admit that I was originally hoping for a little more ride height as well. However, the look of a lower (than RCD) widened front end has a charm all of it's own. I can not wait to see how mine looks with 35"X12.50"s vs the 33"X10.50"s that I am currently running. Unfortunately, I need to wait until my current tires wear out and I will need to do a regear as well.
#78
05-04-2009
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#80
05-05-2009
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I took the pics and some measurements last night when I got home from work. Unfortunately, I had some parental responsibilities/"authority" (damn teenagers, lol...) that I had to take care of. So sorry, pics will be posted later today.
Well after talking to Arron when I was ordering the kit, I was told that it shoud sit a little higher than my previous T-bar crank. So I knew that I was not going to have a big lifted truck, but was still expecting a little extra. After taking my measurements last night, I am actually sitting at 1.5" lower than my T-bar crank. I am guessing this might be due to the fact that I didn't just have my T-bar cranked before, but I had aftermarket keys that allowed me to crank them even more... unsure it that is the actual case. So now if I remove my BL I will end up sitting 4.5" lower than before which was not high to begin with. That adjustment is still in discusion with a few professionals.
About the wheel spacers. Yes I have 3" wheel spacers on. I have had them on for 3 years now. The only problem that I have been told (since I installed them 3 years ago) that possibly could arise is that I will wear out my bearings. Well since 3 years, my bearings were just checked and they are perfectly fine. My original plan was to take them off the front and keep them on the rear until I got a 9" in the rear. When this was done, my front and rear were the same width. So I put the front set back on to make me a little wider in the front. So now I am still 3" wider in the rear (same as always) and 6.5" wider in the front (3.5" wider than before due to the DB kit). The professionals that I am dealing with still say that the only problem may be that my bearings will wear out faster. Regardless, the 6.5" wider front is going to fit perfect under my 6.5" fenders along with the rear and the bedsides. The wider stance also gives me added stability and better handling.
My fiberglass will be intoday. After I do the install I will re-evaluate the situation regarding the spacers and BL.
Pics to come today!!!
Well after talking to Arron when I was ordering the kit, I was told that it shoud sit a little higher than my previous T-bar crank. So I knew that I was not going to have a big lifted truck, but was still expecting a little extra. After taking my measurements last night, I am actually sitting at 1.5" lower than my T-bar crank. I am guessing this might be due to the fact that I didn't just have my T-bar cranked before, but I had aftermarket keys that allowed me to crank them even more... unsure it that is the actual case. So now if I remove my BL I will end up sitting 4.5" lower than before which was not high to begin with. That adjustment is still in discusion with a few professionals.
About the wheel spacers. Yes I have 3" wheel spacers on. I have had them on for 3 years now. The only problem that I have been told (since I installed them 3 years ago) that possibly could arise is that I will wear out my bearings. Well since 3 years, my bearings were just checked and they are perfectly fine. My original plan was to take them off the front and keep them on the rear until I got a 9" in the rear. When this was done, my front and rear were the same width. So I put the front set back on to make me a little wider in the front. So now I am still 3" wider in the rear (same as always) and 6.5" wider in the front (3.5" wider than before due to the DB kit). The professionals that I am dealing with still say that the only problem may be that my bearings will wear out faster. Regardless, the 6.5" wider front is going to fit perfect under my 6.5" fenders along with the rear and the bedsides. The wider stance also gives me added stability and better handling.
My fiberglass will be intoday. After I do the install I will re-evaluate the situation regarding the spacers and BL.
Pics to come today!!!
#82
05-05-2009
Join Date: May 2007
Location: San Diego, CA
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#83
05-05-2009
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Location: Pace, FL
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#84
05-05-2009
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Location: San Diego, CA
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Just got offical confirmation from the expert himself... the wheel spacers will have no negative effect on the functionality of the kit. I will just be 6.5" wider (each side) than stock as opposed to 3.5" wider. Only thing is it may put a little extra wear on my bearings (no more than before the kit was installed), which has had no negative effect for the past 3 years. As for the BL, as long as I am not full-on launch jumping, which I won't untill the rear is done, there will be no negative effect here either. I will just be 3" higher than other DBR 4x4 LT kits... for now at least.
#86
05-05-2009
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Wider stance, better handling, more stability, and to fill my fiberglass when it comes in.
If I take the spacers off, it will be 3" narrower in the rear and only 0.5" wider in the front than it was before I installed the DBR LT kit. I liked the benifits of the spacers before, and now I'm even wider and can tell the extended benifit.
If I take the spacers off, it will be 3" narrower in the rear and only 0.5" wider in the front than it was before I installed the DBR LT kit. I liked the benifits of the spacers before, and now I'm even wider and can tell the extended benifit.
Last edited by Ford'sFORD; 05-05-2009 at 12:27 PM.
#87
05-05-2009
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DBR kit is 4.5" wider per side not 3.5". I will be interested to see what your thoughts are once you have installed your glass. My 33X10.50 MTR's on 15X8 (4.5" BS) wheels sit just about right under a 6" flair fender. I am thinking that it will be perfect with 35"X12.5" tires. My guess is that yours will stick out a ways beyond the 6" flaired fender unless you have a 0 offset wheel. I agree however with keeping the spacers on the back wheels. I would like to even my front and rear tires out at some point in the future.
#89
05-05-2009
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DBR kit is 4.5" wider per side not 3.5". I will be interested to see what your thoughts are once you have installed your glass. My 33X10.50 MTR's on 15X8 (4.5" BS) wheels sit just about right under a 6" flair fender. I am thinking that it will be perfect with 35"X12.5" tires. My guess is that yours will stick out a ways beyond the 6" flaired fender unless you have a 0 offset wheel. I agree however with keeping the spacers on the back wheels. I would like to even my front and rear tires out at some point in the future.
Hold your horses... I am still at work and unauthorized to upload files on this pc. Pics were taken last night and will be posted as soon as I get home.
Last edited by Ford'sFORD; 05-05-2009 at 04:36 PM.
#90
05-05-2009
#91
05-05-2009
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Definitely... there's a few places to go within that distance! We'll try and get a meet together soon, or just go bang around for a few hours. I'll let you know when everything is done and all the kinks are worked.
#92
05-05-2009
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#94
05-05-2009
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#97
05-05-2009
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Location: AZ
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#98
05-05-2009
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#99
05-05-2009
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Oddly said, I actually like the look, however it is not functional this way, so will be changed with fenders...
I like the shine myself, unfortunately she only get's a good wash and rub down once every couple months... she's usually a good dirty lil' girl, LOL...
#100
05-05-2009
