Joined
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108 Posts
Guys,
I haven't spent much time on the boards lately, as research has been hectic and all my spare time has been lost to a single problem- the awful driveline and suspension issues I have had since my CCM lift install. I know that some of you have lifted without any issues, but my 2003 4wd Ellie does not like this very much. Beside the increased suspension wear in the front, my driveline is shaking my poor little truck like a British Nanny (old joke, sorry Brits...) !
If I completely unload the rear of the truck, it gets better... but nothing seems to make it 100% OK (see other threads) and I know other people definitely have issues, too (see other threads)... I'm thinking maybe us 4wd guys with the little bit of extra weight in the back makes it worse, as it seems to happen under acceleration when the front suspension is unloaded.
So, I'm not ready to give up all hopes of extra clearance, but I want to drop the front down to about an inch to what seems like a safer height for the geometry of the components in the drive and suspension systems. I plan on calling CCM today and asking about the possibility of a smaller spacer on the front (fat chance as per some other forum members and their take on CCM customer service)... If that doesn't work, I'm thinking about possibly one of the following:
1) Remove the CCM spacers, cut out an inch or so of rise, and re-weld. (pain in the ass)
2) Remove CCM spacers and replace with sparman-esque Ford leveling spacers and longer studs (slightly less pain in the ass)
3) Leave CCM parts intact and find springs that I can swap in that lower ride height by no more than an inch (if they exist- still a pain, maybe a bit stiffer/bouncier one)
What do you ladies and gents think? What route should I pursue first? Whatever way I go over the next few weeks, I'll keep y'all posted with results.
I haven't spent much time on the boards lately, as research has been hectic and all my spare time has been lost to a single problem- the awful driveline and suspension issues I have had since my CCM lift install. I know that some of you have lifted without any issues, but my 2003 4wd Ellie does not like this very much. Beside the increased suspension wear in the front, my driveline is shaking my poor little truck like a British Nanny (old joke, sorry Brits...) !
If I completely unload the rear of the truck, it gets better... but nothing seems to make it 100% OK (see other threads) and I know other people definitely have issues, too (see other threads)... I'm thinking maybe us 4wd guys with the little bit of extra weight in the back makes it worse, as it seems to happen under acceleration when the front suspension is unloaded.
So, I'm not ready to give up all hopes of extra clearance, but I want to drop the front down to about an inch to what seems like a safer height for the geometry of the components in the drive and suspension systems. I plan on calling CCM today and asking about the possibility of a smaller spacer on the front (fat chance as per some other forum members and their take on CCM customer service)... If that doesn't work, I'm thinking about possibly one of the following:
1) Remove the CCM spacers, cut out an inch or so of rise, and re-weld. (pain in the ass)
2) Remove CCM spacers and replace with sparman-esque Ford leveling spacers and longer studs (slightly less pain in the ass)
3) Leave CCM parts intact and find springs that I can swap in that lower ride height by no more than an inch (if they exist- still a pain, maybe a bit stiffer/bouncier one)
What do you ladies and gents think? What route should I pursue first? Whatever way I go over the next few weeks, I'll keep y'all posted with results.