starting my drop project soon.......parts are on order

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moregrip

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The plan goes like this:


Step one: install Belltech 2/4 drop with stock shocks

Step two: get the truck aligned (looking to get about 1/16"-1/8" toe in w/ -.5 or slightly less camber)

Step three: install Toyo Proxes STII, 285/50VR20 fronts, 305/50VR20 rears on stock wheels

of note: was originally going to get the stock wheels powder coated but decided to use that money for performance upgrades vs aesthetics

Step four: Assess needs for adjustable pan-hard bar and control arms. Install whats needed.

Step five: install Hellwig 1.5" front sway bar w/F150 style shorter sway bar link and 1.25" rear sway bar with appropriate length sway bar link.

Step six: evaluate need for higher rate front coil springs and better shocks. Install whats needed.

Step seven: evaluate any exaggerated bump steer tendencies. Address as needed.

Step eight: install 4.10 rear gears w/limited slip rear diff


So that about covers my step by step plan for upgrades to the suspension and rear diff in achieving a stellar handling single cab and possibly participating in some autocross events in the future :favorites13:
 
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moregrip

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I've been following a thread on another forum called "Make it Handle" and have made some of my choices based the info/data contained in that thread because it is truck specific and from a respected source with knowledge on the subject far greater than mine.

At this point, I should point out and I think David Ram said it best when he posted:

"I am not saying this is the only way, I am not even saying this is the right way, I am saying this is my way, lol!"

so in that regard I went down a slightly different path when choosing a rear sway bar - In fact, I took a sort of educated gamble that I could make something work not necessarily designed for a RAM 1500. Instead of going with the standard "off the shelf" Hellwig 7/8" or Addco 1" rear swaybar, I chose a Hellwig 1 1/4" rear bar in hopes that it better compliments the Hellwig 1 1/2" front bar. Of course the challenge will be getting it to fit and work correctly and that may ultimately prove to be a huge mistake but my intent is to let you know how it all works out whether I fail miserably or hit a home run or something in between.

So why go through the trouble to make a part fit/work that's not designed for the application I'm using it for?

Well, mainly because I think the intended application of the 1 1/4" bar while different is not so different it won't be terribly difficult to get it to work correctly; but we will see:favorites13:

But also because of this info:

"Lets get back to the main topic, HANDLING. One of the best upgrades you can do is swaybars. Swaybars, or Anti-roll bars, work by adding traction (downforce) to the outside tire. To do this, the swaybar has to take downforce away from the inside tire. So if you think about it, you can go 'too big' on the bars. If you went so stiff that the inside tire lifts off the ground, then that tire isn't helping at all. The balance between the front and rear bars is called "roll couple", and here's where a truck layout changes normal thought. In a normal performance car, with say 52% front weight and a low CG, the roll couple needs to be up around 80% (calc for this is really complex, so think of this as a comparison number), but in a truck, with 58% front weight and a higher CG, you aqctually need to move the roll couple BACK, maybe to 65%. This means that in comparison to a Camaro that would run a 1 1/4" front and a 7/8" rear, the truck would tend to 'need' a more evenly matched bar set. Say 1 1/4" front and 1 1/8" rear. Most retailers/manufacturers are missing this and selling bar sets in 'car' sizing, so be carefull.
From the set-up you have now, you can use the following rules for tuning.

A larger FRONT bar will "tighten" the chassis, making the truck tend to push, or not want to turn into a corner, also the rear of the truck will seam a bit stickier. A smaller front bar will do the opposite.

A larger REAR bar will "loosen" the chassis, the truck will turn into a corner easier, but the rear may want to slide around."

"Caster is a tricky thing. More + caster will give you added steering feel, or driver input, but, it will make it harder to turn. With modern power steering, the additional effort needed to steer is not reall noticed. The overall goal is to keep the tire contact patch as large as possible. Remember that as you turn, all sorts of forces are acting on the tires, pushing and pulling them around. As the sidewalls and tread flex, the patch gets smaller, and you loose traction. Setting up in anticipation of that flex is what were trying to do. I would be willing to give up some of the contact patch/traction when going straight, and max traction isn't needed, to gain some in a corner entry where it is needed. Stock trucks came with 1* or 1 1/2* + caster. The new Hotchkis kit will push that up to 9*+. For a "street driven" truck, I think 5* or 6* is the right range. Roll center hieght is a toughr goal to hit. Lets think about what is "reasonable" to acheive. It would be awsome to set the RC at the same height as the spindle pin centerline, but thats not going to happen. As a general rule, "higher is better", for RC. Try to keep it above 1/2 of the spindle height. So, if the tire diameter is 27", spindle height will be around 13", try to keep your RC above 6 1/2". This means drop spindles in favor of springs. Try to keep the swaybars close in size. 1 1/4" front with 1 1/8" rear is good for more streetable trucks, 1 1/2" front with 1 1/4" rear for more aggressive handling. - Remember that increasing caster will raise the pivit point ot the outer Tie Rod End, and could create additional bumpsteer, which will ned to be adressed in your design calcs."
 
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moregrip

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1 1/2" FSB.......check!


2016-08-03%2013.59.43_zpsfgydw5om.jpg
 
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moregrip

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1 1/4" RSB.......check!

20160803_132541-1_zpshdklcj5c.jpg
 
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moregrip

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Does anyone have some good pics of their lowered rear suspension that captures the rear sway bar mounts both frame and axle? thanks!
 
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moregrip

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ah hell, couldn't resist!

20160804_165151-1_zpse9kjbti7.jpg

20160723_122048-1_zpstc6q5rqy.jpg

it's a sickness I tell ya!
 
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moregrip

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Nice set-up. Next you'll want QA1s, from what I read.

thanks man, hoping all goes well, lots to get done over here. As for the shocks.....yeah you're probably right.....it's been many years since I've had a lowered truck(Toyota X-Runner) and I remember how good it handled so hoping for something that handles similar or better
 

jag1886

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Sorry I spent all my money on performance parts except for those same sway bars and a set of KYB shocks, can;t see lower the truck with all the problems people have with these Rams.
But good luck to you.
 
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moregrip

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Sorry I spent all my money on performance parts except for those same sway bars and a set of KYB shocks, can;t see lower the truck with all the problems people have with these Rams.
But good luck to you.

thank you! I'm looking forward to the fun of installing it all and setting it up!
 
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moregrip

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question for those that have installed the adjustable rear control arms how did you keep the joint 90deg from the pivot point when tightening the jam nuts?
 
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moregrip

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ok this is what I needed to see.....upper mounting point for the rear sway bar since my truck didn't come with one. When I crawled under their I thought this was the spot but wanted to be sure.

IMG_5043x.jpg
 
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moregrip

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Update: the shorter front front sway bar end links showed up today (stoked)

2016-08-18%2014.34.31_zpsxgvy7otr.jpg

small addition to the plan; going to change the color of my stock wheels to a hot rod flat/low gloss black color and then try my hand at spraying them with KBS coatings Maxx in my garage! Fingers crossed!

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13bighorn

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Why the f150 shorter sway bar endlinks? Or do they not make shorter end links for the front of our trucks?
 

cbo

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Interested In seeing these sway bars mounted!
 
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moregrip

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Why the f150 shorter sway bar endlinks? Or do they not make shorter end links for the front of our trucks?

they are not required but from reading/research they put the front sway bar in a better position rather than sticking with the stock end links.......understand this is still second hand knowledge too me.....but I am starting the install this weekend so I'll have first hand info for you soon :favorites13:
 

THETANK

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looks like much fun and mine has given me exactly zero issues. Don't ask me tech questions, I have a plethora of shops to do my dirty work. Oh pics when done.
 

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