1st Gen 2WD Lift

[DandysRanger]

Hey now that I have all the major stuff fixed on my daughter's '85 2wd longbed I was going to look at leveling it. I see a lot of spacer kits on ebay that promise to level the front end for about $50. Is this the way to go? I have also seen new +1.5 springs advertised for about twice that. Is that a better solution?
I really only want to level it and not deal with any suspension/handling problems as a result. I may decide to go with 15" wheels but it is not a priority.
TIA,
Jim

 

[DandysRanger]

Ok So I am guessing spacers are not the way to go?

 

[killj0y]

Springs are almost always a better option since they are functional. Ebay spacers tend to squish or break all together. I know there are aluminum ones from fatbobs and some guys run f150 spacers. You might need longer shocks though and definitely an alignment afterwords regardless of what route you take.

 

[DandysRanger]

All right then. Thanks KillJ0y

 

[DandysRanger]

OK I bought the 2" aluminum spacers and now it's on to the install.
So far so good but I have a couple of questions:
Do I retain the coil spring isolators? They were crumbling so I ordered new ones.
Do I reuse the same coil spring seat or does that get discarded as well?
From this pic it looks like the spring is supposed to sit right on top of the spacer withot the isolator.

TIA,
Jim

 

[DandysRanger]

I thought there would be more comments on a pretty common mod.
Anyway, some more pics and why I am not comfortable with this set-up.
Here is where we start.

This is with the stock coil spring base and isolator installed.

OK, here is what they said I should do. Remove the spring cup and isolator and put down the spacer and install the thread extension.

Then the cup and isolator goes on top of that.

You can see the spring cup does not fit flush on top of the spacer as well as there is not enough thread left to install the washer and nut that holds the spring on. Also the spacer does not fit very well on top of the arm and moves around a little bit. The person I bought it from said I should get a longer bolt extension. Yeah.
Another solution was to put the spacer on top of the spring cup and isolator. The problem with that is the isolator and spacer don't mate very well.

Even if you hacked up the isolator you would still end up wth the spring sitting on top of the aluminum spacer which guess would be OK but those ends don't mate very well either. You would have to take some material off the spacer or the spring.

None of this was in the instructions. I am sendiing this kit back unless someone can tell me where I effed up. This is for my daughter's truck so I want to make sure it is safe. The 1 1/2" springs are starting to look real good.
TIA,
Jim

 

[alwaysFlOoReD]

I have no experience with these but....
What if you flip the aluminum spacer over? Will the stock piece fit better then?

Richard

 

[DandysRanger]

I have no experience with these but....
What if you flip the aluminum spacer over? Will the stock piece fit better then?

Richard

Perhaps but the bolt extender would still be too short.

 

[mp3deviant721]

From what I understand you don't use the spring isolator after installing the spacer. The stud extender was designed to bolt to the existing bolt and the spacer slides on that. Then the coil goes on the spacer then the washer then the nut. When I did my 93, I actually made my spacers from washers and used a longer bolt. This way I was able to use the isolator. But I had no choice as there wasn't anything to keep the coil from sliding around. I think that is why the top of the spacer is designed the way it is. You didn't eff up, it's the way the those kind of coil spacers were designed.

 

[DandysRanger]

Thanks MP3,
I can see how the spring could fit on top of the spacer with a little modification however I don't like the idea of the spring directly in contact with the softer aluminum. Besides, the dealer specifically said the spacer is designed to be used with the cup and the isolator. I don't think he knows what he is talking about.

What I may try is grinding down the aluminum spacer so the cup and isolator fits flat. The problem with that plan is that may not give me enough thread to use for the bottom spring mount. I suppose I could back that stud out a 1/4 or so or leave out the metal spring cup and just use the isolator.

 

[rjustus1234]

i know its a little different but i used f150 springs in my 2wd and used the f150 spacer and it sits right on thatwith out any retainer and i do some pretty crazy shit in my truck and its always been fine so i think your fine without the retainer just my two cents but go with your gut

 

[DandysRanger]

Thanks rjustus.
I sent some pics to the place I bought this kit from. They were very good about taking it back. He said the only time they have a problem with this kit is when they try to install it on an extended cab model. While mine is not an extended cab it is a long bed. I wonder if that could be part of the problem?
Is the front suspension that different for the extended cab models? If so then it may the same way with the long bed trucks.

 

[DandysRanger]

The kit is going back. I purchased some 1 1/2" leveling springs instead. I just did not feel comfortable using the spacers so I am taking Killj0ys advice.
Thanks everyone. I hope this info and the pics helps someone else out.
Jim

 

[zekew64]

Thanks rjustus.
I sent some pics to the place I bought this kit from. They were very good about taking it back. He said the only time they have a problem with this kit is when they try to install it on an extended cab model. While mine is not an extended cab it is a long bed. I wonder if that could be part of the problem?
Is the front suspension that different for the extended cab models? If so then it may the same way with the long bed trucks.

Being an extend cab or long bed doesn't change how the suspension was designed; the only change would be if you had a High Rider cab (which is a 4x4 variation). As you have a 4x2, I'd say you could still have used the spacer and not had a problem. The true fix would have been to actually press out the original bolt and bushing, and put in the longer bolt and bushing.

 

[DandysRanger]

Being an extend cab or long bed doesn't change how the suspension was designed; the only change would be if you had a High Rider cab (which is a 4x4 variation). As you have a 4x2, I'd say you could still have used the spacer and not had a problem. The true fix would have been to actually press out the original bolt and bushing, and put in the longer bolt and bushing.

Thanks Zeke, I went with the new springs. It lifted it the perfect amount and the ride is pretty decent too. I didn't like the 1/2 @ss nature of the spacers and did not feel comfortable using them on a truck my daughter drives every day.