ok so i have a big project i wanna work on as soon as i get my shop rebuilt and replace all my tools/machinery ( it burned down in one of the big fires here in So Cal).

i am going to try to build a mid/long travel kit for my truck, and im looking for some tips for a couple things.

1: how would it look with a 2-4" increased width per side and stock fenders running probably a 32x11.5" tire(i dont really want fiberglass, but i might get some stock style flares).

2: should i use ball joints for the uppers, or go with a uni-ball/heim joint upper like Camburg uses? and how hard is it to remove the lower ball joint from the control arm?

3: would skyjacker soft-ride springs that are supposed to only work up to 97 work on my truck. and if not, how are they different? if they wont work, what other options do i have for the rear other than Deavers?(the skyjacker ones seemed like a good deal, only like $300 for a set, thats why i was interested).

4: im planning to run the stock spring setup, but what are good shocks? are bilsteins THAT good? i dont really want to drop the money for coilovers, just a good set of regular shocks.

thats all i can think of right now. thanks

 

Dont know anything about what your askin but sorry bout the shop hope all goes well for you.

 

camburg is 1.5+ per side, blitz mid travel is 4"+ per side(i think) if you want an idea of widths... stock fenders will work... if you have no up travel other wise they will get destroyed!

you can uses ball joints or uni-*****, dixion bros racing uses ball joints and the kit can take some abuse from what i have read... granted they arent stock ball joints

lower balljoint is easy to remove... loosen the nut so the ball joint can drop out once it is loose, but wont let the spring shoot out. beat the side of the spindle with a 5lb sledge hammer and it should pop out.


for shocks, you can run a 2.0 shock inside the coil just need to cut the top of the coil bucket off and make upper and lower mounts. then you can chooose, any brand really. find a shock that is t he right length and can be valved.

 

honestly, dont try and build your own suspension if you dont know how to take out the lower ball joint.

Theres alot more to it than just cutting and welding some metal.

Go on dezertrangers.com and read read read read read. do some searches of what you want and learn as much as you can.

There are some reputable shops with upper arm replacements and shock upgrades that you will be much happier with than trying to do it yourself, and it will be much safer

 

thanks for the info. i would basically tailor the lift to not hit the fenders, even at the cost of some travel.

i want to clarify what i was asking is how do you remove the ball joint form the control arm, not from the spindle. i have done a TON of research on this. i have built suspension and frame part for other vehicles and i am confident in my abilities.

but i would make everything as strong or stronger than stock wherever possible. i dont plan to jump anything big so i think ball joints would be plenty strong as i have jumped(granted a small jump) it in my current setup and have had no problems.

 

ahhh my fault about getting what your were asking about the balljoint mixed up.. but if i remember correctly.. and im pretty sure i do.. ha i think they just press out... or get a pipe that will fit over the balljoint and beat the **** outta it with a hammer...

unless you ran a skinny tire up front, i think on the compression it would rub the lip of the fender.. unless you ran with 31"s and a little bit of lift..

 

oh ok thanks.

obviously since im building everything from scratch i can make it limit compression as to not hit the fenders. i have a plan to make adjustable brackets/plates to limit travel and lift height(may sound confusing but i have a plan lol).

i just dont really wanna start messing with the bodywork on my truck. cuz painting the fiberglass to match my truck would be fairly dear. i dont really know

 

id do the fiberglass fenders and then repaint the whole truck... painting a truck is fun.. body work is not.. haha

 

theres also my parents. they basically said i could do whatever i wanted with it except fiberglass or cutting the bed. and all the kits out there need fiberglass.

so thats why i wanted to make a kit myself, i know i can make it strong enough. and i could make it so it would not have any clearance issues with stock fenders. even though it wouldnt give as much travel as a name brand LT kit and glass, i know i can still pull a couple more inches of travel easily.