Ride Quality of 4" SUA lift

[MDH33]

Pablocruise and I both said we're running 4" Downey springs.

I think your choices for 4" would be:

Downey
HFS by CCOT
BDS
Alcan
Hell Creek

I think you can run OME 2.5 inch springs and extended shackles too, but I'm running 4" springs and extended shackles to fit the 34's without cutting anything.

Personally I think you'll get used to the slightly stiffer ride and the benfit of the extra clearance is worth it. A little extra seat cushioning never hurts either.

 

[treerootCO]

Shackle angle is the most important for ride quality. Mine rides like a Caddy with the shackles pointed forward. The downside is that you will destroy your springs at a rate of four per year. I went through the Northern 4" springs, I went through the 4" Downey springs, and I went through a combination of both to get a ride height that was about equal to stock. All four corners are sitting on the bump stops now. The go to guy used to be Alcan but I have heard from a few that that may not be true. If I were you, I would buy a set from Alcan as that used to be the best spring ever made and they are made right here in Colorado. Ask for military wrap, 4"+ springs with a touch more length that stock. You will settle, trust me, so the difference between 2 and 4 isn't even a debate. Run the piss out of them and swap them in a year for something else. If you do this to any leaf spring, it will break down.

 

[nuclearlemon]

So 4" Sky Jacker Lift - Nakari said too stiff

4" Skyjacker Lift - Romer said ride was great for a 40, but improved when swapping in the Bilstiens. (Tim was use to his 80)

don't forget me...i loved the skyjackers, but i'll second that there shocks suck

 

[Uncle Ben]

don't forget me...i loved the skyjackers, but i'll second that there shocks suck

I ran Skyjackers for a few years and they had a decent ride. When one of the rears collapsed and Skyjackers showed me their true colors about not standing behind their product I tossed them in the scrap bin. I had BDS as a replacement and they were a similar ride and never sagged for me. Everyone I know at that time that had any dealings with BDS said the "100% satisfaction guarantee no-questions-asked" policy was true and practiced. If I bought over the counter springs again they would be BDS. I went with custom Alcans after the BDS and at first they were super tall and stiff but they quickly settled to the height and ride they were supposed to be. I ran those up until this last morph. They will soon be on the trail again on another friends 40. I agree with Root....you will waste your money if you do a 2.5" lift as when it settles to stock height you'll end up going 4" so save yourself 1 step and go to 4" first!

 

[Hulk]

Matt,

I have a 4" SUA lift with 33" tires on the Hulk. I purchased the lift and tires new in 2001 and have been running them ever since. The springs are BDS. I am running Rancho 9000 shocks.

For me, it made a huge difference in improving ride quality over stock. The new springs and tires really soaked up some of the teeth-jarring ride that my 40 had with the 20-year-old springs and shocks.

If I was going to do it again, I'd probably take a good hard look at OME kits. I'd also probably call up Jeff Zepp and get the details on his lift. A few years ago, he installed a lift on his 40 that was simply a cheap and easy modification to the spring pack, with the result that he was able to run 33" tires and got a very gentle ride out of the deal.

With my 4" of lift, I could probably run 35" tires fairly easily. The only things I'd need to do would be to swap the diff gears (which I already have sitting on a shelf in my garage) and cut the rear wheel wells.

In case you were wondering, IMO, 4" of lift is not too much lift for 33" tires -- it looks appropriate.

 

[farnhamstj]

Matt, Don't get 2" springs. you will immediatly want bigger ones.

 

[corsair23]

Matt,

Anytime you'd like to come by and take the 40 for a spin let me know....

AFAIK, I have a 4" Rancho suspension. The 40 had 35s on it when it arrived from CA and now it has 33s. Personally I think the ride is vastly better than my '76 was but I'm not sure how good of a sample my 40 will be for you...As best as I can tell from the records the springs are 17 years old and the shocks (RS9000s) are nearly 9 years old.

Bit of trivia for you...33x12.5 BFG MTs ran $119.99 ea and 35x12.5 BFG MTs ran $131.99 ea back in 1994

 

[Rezarf]

Matt- I am running the TPI Smokey Moutain Kit. Seems to flex okay, ride is... well, a 40. Without the top on it rides like an empty dumptruck, but with the top on or a good bit of weight it smooths out nicely(insert picture of trailer here ). I have been in a few SOA 40's and they were all a little too tippy for me, but most had V8's as well and they liked to use the skinny pedal. I kinda like the ride of the 4" lift.

Personally, if I were going to run 33's (plan for 3-5 years ahead, so go ahead and get the 35's) I would look at OME springs... the new name slips me now, Alcan?

I would trim out back with fender flares, and tube fender front (metal tech). That is just me, but I know the OME stuff rides like a dream, for a 40

If you went with a 10.5" tire width you'd be all set... 12.5" shouldn't be a problem with fenders cut and tubes up front. Heck you could add a small body lift of an inch or so and still have a great ride and get the clearance you need.



Remember, sidewall is your friend in the suspension department