New Coilovers with 6 Inch BDS lift

[Jwithing]

I guess I could cut a quarter inch off the inner tie rod threads, is it necessary?

 

[Cmz2800]

Hey all, I've been reading a ton of threads on here and picking up some great info, but wanted to get thoughts in regards to my specific setup. Looking to spend some money to replace my suspension components since I have about 115k miles on the existing setup and I want to make sure I get it right the first time. I've reached out to our vendor Nick and I feel like I'm pestering him a bit too much with my indecisiveness and lack of knowledge lol.

Current setup:

6 inch BDS lift with 37x13.5R20 Toyo open country RT

Fox 2.0 shocks in rear stock Mopar struts in front

Unsure if the rear coil springs are 3 inch or 5. I sent an email to BDS asking them how I could identify. Ground to middle bottom of the bushwhacker flares is 45 inches in back and 43 inches in front.

Overall height clearance is about 6'10.75" or so if I recall correctly.

Goal:
I have to maintain a 7ft clearance capability.

I mainly drive highway and don't ever really offroad, although I have a few times, so I want a super comfy road ride. My gal has back issues, so any comfort I can provide while she rides shotgun, I'll spend a bit more for it.

What I'm considering:
Will probably upgrade the front UCAs to zone while I'm at it. From what I have been reading, the zone bushings should be more quite and less maintenance than others?

Replace the rear shocks with another set of FOX 2.0 shocks. I believe part number is 985-24-032, or would this vary based upon the rear coil spring size I have with my BDS lift?

I started out thinking the FOX 2.0 coilovers, 983-02-050, for the front. It sounds like the 2.0 are a PITA or impossible to get spring tensioners on them while on the truck to change the ride height. I would like to try bring up the front of the truck to level it for a nice change of pace, but if it screws my 7ft clearance, it would be nice to easily adjust them back down to where it is now.

So then I started looking at the DSC adjustability with the FOX 2.5, 883-06-073. I like the idea of getting rid of the 4 inch spacer ontop of the strut cover. Being able to tune the coilovers easily would also be awesome so that I could tune for the road and have offroad ready at the fingertips. There is an offroad park where I fish frequently so its always a possibility and some day I'll probably retire the truck as a daily driver, so the offroad capability now comes as a potential bonus and I can stomach the extra $1k cost. However, are the fox 2.5 a similar PITA to compress and adjust while on the truck?

I've seen ICON mentioned but haven't looked into them much so I'm not sure of a part number or price. It sounds like the ICONs are easily adjustable like normal coilovers while on the truck without being compressed, which is a big plus for me, but how does the ride comfort and quality on and offroad compare to the FOX?

Thanks in advance fellas, looking forward to your expertise, experiences, and ideas.

I have an irrelevant question for you:

How has your truck driven with these 37’s for the last 115k miles? Has the motor held up well (5.7, I presume)? Any recommendations/suggestions? Would you have done anything different?

 

[olyelr]

I guess I could cut a quarter inch off the inner tie rod threads, is it necessary?

Yea, i would consider doing that just in case the setup was too long at its shortest length…that would be a kaka if you couldnt get the toe set and had to take it all off to do it anyway. I mean, if the new setup isnt at least the same length, or preferably a smidge shorter, then the prior length, then how the heck will you be able to set the toe?


Also…prime example why i wont put any threaded part together without using antiseize. That is the reason they had to be cut off.

 

[Jwithing]

Yea, i would consider doing that just in case the setup was too long at its shortest length…that would be a kaka if you couldnt get the toe set and had to take it all off to do it anyway. I mean, if the new setup isnt at least the same length, or preferably a smidge shorter, then the prior length, then how the heck will you be able to set the toe?


Also…prime example why i wont put any threaded part together without using antiseize. That is the reason they had to be cut off.

Good call on the antisieze. I'll take a little more than a quarter inch off just incase it needs to go shorter. Glad I'm putting new hubs in too. The jokers that did my tire rotation a couple weeks ago torqued the lugs down insane. I couldn't even break them loose with a 600 ftlb impact.

 

[Jwithing]

I have an irrelevant question for you:

How has your truck driven with these 37’s for the last 115k miles? Has the motor held up well (5.7, I presume)? Any recommendations/suggestions? Would you have done anything different?

Trucks been great and had been pretty smooth considering the lift. Engine runs great even though I've had some intermittent cylinder misfires for the past 30k miles that I can't seem to chase down. It's been a bit since they shown up though.

 

[Cmz2800]

Trucks been great and had been pretty smooth considering the lift. Engine runs great even though I've had some intermittent cylinder misfires for the past 30k miles that I can't seem to chase down. It's been a bit since they shown up though.

What do you mean by this? Has lifting the truck changed your ride? If so, why? Seems like you don’t mind spending a little extra for a good ride for the wife’s sake lol

 

[Jwithing]

What do you mean by this? Has lifting the truck changed your ride? If so, why? Seems like you don’t mind spending a little extra for a good ride for the wife’s sake lol

Lifts typical translate to a rougher ride. Just saying it rides smooth.

All wrapped up, need to get an alignment and I'm good to go. It leveled the truck out with the factory preload. I'm happy with the height.

 

[Jwithing]

Here's a couple pics of the install

 

[Jwithing]

Is there a break in period for these bad boys? I'd say the ride is definitely smoother, but not dramatically. I have the dsc set to the lowest setting.

 

[crazykid1994]

I can’t remember but did you have yours custom tuned or regular bds valving on them? Mine didn’t really have a break in time. They were soft off the bat and still feel exactly the same with about 1500 miles on them.