Rough Country vs. Skyjacker Leveling Kit

[nathantaylor]

Starting to look at leveling kits and these seem to be the front runners. I am starting to favor the Skyjacker kit since they come with shocks that I assume are tailored for the extra 1.5" lift in front but was hoping to get some input on which one you think is best. Just looking for daily driving purposes, not doing any off-roading.

 

[voogan619]

1996? beamed? drop brackets?

 

[nathantaylor]

1996? beamed? drop brackets?

Yeah, 1996 but not sure what beamed or drop brackets mean.... Everything is stock. My main concern with Rough country is that it doesn't come with shocks and I am not sure which ones to get to account for the extra 1.5" lift.

 

[Curious Hound]

I like Skyjacker products. The fact that you don’t need to guess about shocks is very helpful. You will need an alignment afterwards. I don’t remember if 1996 truck has twin I beam or if it is an SLA suspension. If twin I beam, you will probably need to get new eccentric bushings to get caster/camber back in spec. Because the original bushings won’t adjust far enough.

 

[Curious Hound]

1996? beamed? drop brackets?

Both kits just use taller springs to raise the front.

 

[Robert Mangrum]

I believe both use Monroe to manufacture their shocks.

 

[nathantaylor]

I like Skyjacker products. The fact that you don’t need to guess about shocks is very helpful. You will need an alignment afterwards. I don’t remember if 1996 truck has twin I beam or if it is an SLA suspension. If twin I beam, you will probably need to get new eccentric bushings to get caster/camber back in spec. Because the original bushings won’t adjust far enough.

Thanks! Did a quick Google search and it looks like I have the Twin I Beam suspension. Will the OEM replacement bushing suffice or do I need aftermarket? I'm new to suspension so bare with me....

 

[Curious Hound]

It could be on the edge. If it were me, I would order adjustable eccentric bushings anyway and have them on hand when you go for the alignment. They’re not terribly expensive.

 

[nathantaylor]

Revisiting this idea and I guess what I am looking for is if I were to buy shocks separately say from RockAuto how would I know which ones to buy for the extra 1.5” lift in the front?

 

[Curious Hound]

Revisiting this idea and I guess what I am looking for is if I were to buy shocks separately say from RockAuto how would I know which ones to buy for the extra 1.5” lift in the front?

Best I can tell you is figure out what brand you want. Then try to find info about the lengths of their shocks. Compare to the lengths (extended and compressed) of your original shocks. Add the extra 1.5" and order the shocks with those lengths. Some manufacturers make it easy for you. Others do not.

 

[nathantaylor]

Not sure why I didn’t think to do that…. thanks! Looks like the lengths to the shocks I would have gotten are about the same lengths as the ones Skyjacker offers in their kit at half the price.