Various Topics on Dodge Trucks

.... ..iy..

I want to lift my 80 Ramcharger 4x4. It's got the 360 and headers. I'd like
to put a monstorous lift on it, like 5-6", but I was told this would wear
out my u-joints so fast that I would be buying them in bulk. Any truth to
that? I re-considered, and a 2-3" lift will do (any higher and it wont fit
in my garage!). This truck is mostly a wheeling rig. Ride comfort (unless
ABOLSUTLEY terrible) isnt really an issue. Niether is gas mileage, as this
is NOT a commuter.

As of now, it sits stock height, and the rear leaf springs are sagging
pretty badly. I saw that Rancho offers an add-a-leaf kit that advertises a
1.5"-3" lift. It is Rancho # RS60612. Should I have the leaf springs
re-arched while I've got everything taken apart? How much will the
re-arching cost? Do I need to lift the front and the back at the same time?
Should I buy the Rancho shocks with longer travel?

Any other advice?

Thanks,

Carl

..ll..

Sorry I'm of no help, for that era. Check out www.4wheelparts.com on the
left you'll see "discussion forums" you'll get your answer.
Good luck
HTH
Kelly
"Carl Saiyed" <carlsaiyed@hotmail.REMOVEcom> wrote in message
news:40cce6a9$1_3@newsfeed.slurp.net...
> I want to lift my 80 Ramcharger 4x4. It's got the 360 and headers. I'd
like
> to put a monstorous lift on it, like 5-6", but I was told this would wear
> out my u-joints so fast that I would be buying them in bulk. Any truth to
> that? I re-considered, and a 2-3" lift will do (any higher and it wont fit
> in my garage!). This truck is mostly a wheeling rig. Ride comfort (unless
> ABOLSUTLEY terrible) isnt really an issue. Niether is gas mileage, as this
> is NOT a commuter.
>
> As of now, it sits stock height, and the rear leaf springs are sagging
> pretty badly. I saw that Rancho offers an add-a-leaf kit that advertises a
> 1.5"-3" lift. It is Rancho # RS60612. Should I have the leaf springs
> re-arched while I've got everything taken apart? How much will the
> re-arching cost? Do I need to lift the front and the back at the same
time?
> Should I buy the Rancho shocks with longer travel?
>
> Any other advice?
>
> Thanks,
>
> Carl
>
>

..m ..rm..

Hi, Carl.... the U-joints could turn into a real problem.... single cardan
joints really don't like too much over 3 or 4 ° defelction. Srarting about
4° and higher and you'll start to notice a vibration from them that will
soon tear them apart. Double cardan joints can take about 6 or 7° before the
vibes set in. If you run double cardan joints at the T-case, you can adjust
the pinion angles some to take care of the other part.... of course shorter
trucks make for bigger problems. You could go with about a 2" suspension
lift and another 2" on the body... I've never done a Dodge but I can't see
thses numbers offering any big obstacles.

HTH


"Carl Saiyed" <carlsaiyed@hotmail.REMOVEcom> wrote in message
news:40cce6a9$1_3@newsfeed.slurp.net...
> I want to lift my 80 Ramcharger 4x4. It's got the 360 and headers. I'd
like
> to put a monstorous lift on it, like 5-6", but I was told this would wear
> out my u-joints so fast that I would be buying them in bulk. Any truth to
> that? I re-considered, and a 2-3" lift will do (any higher and it wont fit
> in my garage!). This truck is mostly a wheeling rig. Ride comfort (unless
> ABOLSUTLEY terrible) isnt really an issue. Niether is gas mileage, as this
> is NOT a commuter.
>
> As of now, it sits stock height, and the rear leaf springs are sagging
> pretty badly. I saw that Rancho offers an add-a-leaf kit that advertises a
> 1.5"-3" lift. It is Rancho # RS60612. Should I have the leaf springs
> re-arched while I've got everything taken apart? How much will the
> re-arching cost? Do I need to lift the front and the back at the same
time?
> Should I buy the Rancho shocks with longer travel?
>
> Any other advice?
>
> Thanks,
>
> Carl
>
>

.... ..iy..

Thanks Jim (and kelly)

Is the add-a-leaf the way to go? Do I need to get the extended travel shocks
if I get the add a leaf? What about the re-arching?

Thanks,

Carl

"Jim Warman" <mechanic@tenalpsulet.net> wrote in message
news:C_6zc.3519$eA.1064@clgrps13...
> Hi, Carl.... the U-joints could turn into a real problem.... single cardan
> joints really don't like too much over 3 or 4 ° defelction. Srarting about
> 4° and higher and you'll start to notice a vibration from them that will
> soon tear them apart. Double cardan joints can take about 6 or 7° before
the
> vibes set in. If you run double cardan joints at the T-case, you can
adjust
> the pinion angles some to take care of the other part.... of course
shorter
> trucks make for bigger problems. You could go with about a 2" suspension
> lift and another 2" on the body... I've never done a Dodge but I can't see
> thses numbers offering any big obstacles.
>
> HTH
>
>
> "Carl Saiyed" <carlsaiyed@hotmail.REMOVEcom> wrote in message
> news:40cce6a9$1_3@newsfeed.slurp.net...
> > I want to lift my 80 Ramcharger 4x4. It's got the 360 and headers. I'd
> like
> > to put a monstorous lift on it, like 5-6", but I was told this would
wear
> > out my u-joints so fast that I would be buying them in bulk. Any truth
to
> > that? I re-considered, and a 2-3" lift will do (any higher and it wont
fit
> > in my garage!). This truck is mostly a wheeling rig. Ride comfort
(unless
> > ABOLSUTLEY terrible) isnt really an issue. Niether is gas mileage, as
this
> > is NOT a commuter.
> >
> > As of now, it sits stock height, and the rear leaf springs are sagging
> > pretty badly. I saw that Rancho offers an add-a-leaf kit that advertises
a
> > 1.5"-3" lift. It is Rancho # RS60612. Should I have the leaf springs
> > re-arched while I've got everything taken apart? How much will the
> > re-arching cost? Do I need to lift the front and the back at the same
> time?
> > Should I buy the Rancho shocks with longer travel?
> >
> > Any other advice?
> >
> > Thanks,
> >
> > Carl
> >
> >
>
>

..ll..

damn Jim!!!!!! You married? hehehe


"Jim Warman" <mechanic@tenalpsulet.net> wrote in message
news:C_6zc.3519$eA.1064@clgrps13...
> Hi, Carl.... the U-joints could turn into a real problem.... single cardan
> joints really don't like too much over 3 or 4 ° defelction. Srarting about
> 4° and higher and you'll start to notice a vibration from them that will
> soon tear them apart. Double cardan joints can take about 6 or 7° before
the
> vibes set in. If you run double cardan joints at the T-case, you can
adjust
> the pinion angles some to take care of the other part.... of course
shorter
> trucks make for bigger problems. You could go with about a 2" suspension
> lift and another 2" on the body... I've never done a Dodge but I can't see
> thses numbers offering any big obstacles.
>
> HTH
>
>
> "Carl Saiyed" <carlsaiyed@hotmail.REMOVEcom> wrote in message
> news:40cce6a9$1_3@newsfeed.slurp.net...
> > I want to lift my 80 Ramcharger 4x4. It's got the 360 and headers. I'd
> like
> > to put a monstorous lift on it, like 5-6", but I was told this would
wear
> > out my u-joints so fast that I would be buying them in bulk. Any truth
to
> > that? I re-considered, and a 2-3" lift will do (any higher and it wont
fit
> > in my garage!). This truck is mostly a wheeling rig. Ride comfort
(unless
> > ABOLSUTLEY terrible) isnt really an issue. Niether is gas mileage, as
this
> > is NOT a commuter.
> >
> > As of now, it sits stock height, and the rear leaf springs are sagging
> > pretty badly. I saw that Rancho offers an add-a-leaf kit that advertises
a
> > 1.5"-3" lift. It is Rancho # RS60612. Should I have the leaf springs
> > re-arched while I've got everything taken apart? How much will the
> > re-arching cost? Do I need to lift the front and the back at the same
> time?
> > Should I buy the Rancho shocks with longer travel?
> >
> > Any other advice?
> >
> > Thanks,
> >
> > Carl
> >
> >
>
>

..m..

You're joking right? You don't seriously think 5-6" is monstrous. Do you?
You wouldn't want to check out some of the local trucks from around here
(Calgary, AB) and there's alot more like those 2 around here. My p.o.s.
pickup has 8" under it with a coil conversion in the rear, with Humvee rims
and 42" swampers, and it's still street legal around here.

White Knight- Robin & Theresa '04 TTC competitors
http://www.whiteknight.ca/base.htm
Wolf359- Tim '02 TTC competitor
http://www.gohumvee.com/

The others speak the truth about driveshafts though, also with bad driveline
angles comes VVVViiibbbrrraaaTTttiioons.



"Carl Saiyed" <carlsaiyed@hotmail.REMOVEcom> wrote in message
news:40cce6a9$1_3@newsfeed.slurp.net...
> I want to lift my 80 Ramcharger 4x4. It's got the 360 and headers. I'd
like
> to put a monstorous lift on it, like 5-6",

..dNe.. ..okOv.. ....

>(Calgary, AB) and there's alot more like those 2 around here. My p.o.s.
>pickup has 8" under it with a coil conversion in the rear, with Humvee rims
>and 42" swampers, and it's still street legal around here.

Only reason it's "street" legal is there aren't any "streets" in AB, they are
all dirt "trails"!!!!!!!!!
Eh, Jim??????? <BG>



Politics, the gentle art of getting votes from the poor and campaign funds from
the rich.

..XICTAV..

hey carl, lift kits are a whole story unto themselfs so i l just give you the
shortend version



>I want to lift my 80 Ramcharger 4x4. It's got the 360 and headers. I'd like
>to put a monstorous lift on it, like 5-6", but I was told this would wear
>out my u-joints so fast that I would be buying them in bulk. Any truth to
>that?

yes, helpful solutions, use only Dana Spicer heavy duty u-joints, angling the
differentials towards the drivetrain will help offset some of the angle that
was created, this is done with extended shakles and or shims in the rear or
shims only in the front

I re-considered, and a 2-3" lift will do (any higher and it wont fit
>in my garage!). This truck is mostly a wheeling rig. Ride comfort (unless
>ABOLSUTLEY terrible) isnt really an issue. Niether is gas mileage, as this
>is NOT a commuter.
>
>As of now, it sits stock height, and the rear leaf springs are sagging
>pretty badly. I saw that Rancho offers an add-a-leaf kit that advertises a
>1.5"-3" lift. It is Rancho # RS60612. Should I have the leaf springs
>re-arched while I've got everything taken apart? How much will the
>re-arching cost?

forget re-arching, if they are already sagging they are worn out already,
springs are cheap, get all new ones, well worth it


>Do I need to lift the front and the back at the same time?


well, yes


>Should I buy the Rancho shocks with longer travel?
>


yes, you will need longer travel shocks, best way to do this is measure, after
the lift kit is in measure the static height of the shock mounts, thats the
measurement as the truck sits normaly from shock bolt hole to shock bolt hole,
contact rancho and find a set of shocks that has as close as possible extension
and compression ranges from this static height measurement, example, if the
shock holes are 25" apart static height, finding say a 20" compression and a
30" extension shock will net you 10" of travel(***uming nothing else limits
suspension travel such as bump stops), this helps you maximize your suspension,
cuz if your shocks dont go up or down far enough your just limiting your off
road capability


>Any other advice?

yes, read and research, theres tons of stuff to learn about lift kits, do's and
dont's, tricks and tips, stuff like dropped pitman arms to correct steering
geometry, etc etc






>
>Thanks,
>
>Carl


Shepherds we shall be for thee my lord for thee Power hath decended forth from
thy hand so our feet may swiftly carry out thy command We shall flow a river
forth to thee and teeming with souls shall it ever be In nomine Patris et Filii
et Spiritus Sancti

..le..

Demon wrote:
> You're joking right? You don't seriously think 5-6" is monstrous. Do you?
> You wouldn't want to check out some of the local trucks from around here
> (Calgary, AB) and there's alot more like those 2 around here. My p.o.s.
> pickup has 8" under it with a coil conversion in the rear, with Humvee rims
> and 42" swampers, and it's still street legal around here.

I have never understood why people lift their trucks to extremes. I'm
talking about the 1-2 foot lifts I see around town. Those things could
never go off road for serious rock crawling. Seems the things would
just tip over. Guess they're great for cruising the city streets on a
saturday night though. Makes about as much sense as the ultra lowered
4x4's.

..c ..v..

On 14 Jun 2004 11:23:04 EDT, milesh <milesh@nounwantedspam.com> wrote:

>
>
>Demon wrote:
>> You're joking right? You don't seriously think 5-6" is monstrous. Do you?
>> You wouldn't want to check out some of the local trucks from around here
>> (Calgary, AB) and there's alot more like those 2 around here. My p.o.s.
>> pickup has 8" under it with a coil conversion in the rear, with Humvee rims
>> and 42" swampers, and it's still street legal around here.
>
>I have never understood why people lift their trucks to extremes. I'm
>talking about the 1-2 foot lifts I see around town. Those things could
>never go off road for serious rock crawling. Seems the things would
>just tip over. Guess they're great for cruising the city streets on a
>saturday night though. Makes about as much sense as the ultra lowered
>4x4's.

pretty simple IMO, Milesh... the big lifts are on the shiny trucks
that never get off the pavement, the 2" to 6" lifts are for the nasty
looking trucks that folks take off road and mudding...
I always wonder what they're compensating for with those monster
trucks...
they look like some kid's remote control toy to me..

Kind of like the difference between a farmer and a cowboy... the
farmer has the bull **** on the OUTSIDE of his boots..



Mac