small lift?

[Readyakira]

So I recently bought a stock 2005 quad cab 5.7 4x4. I went out with some friends to a place they go off roading and found that there wa a few spots, I was just barely unable to go. (well, I did go but scraped bottom). As I just dumped most of my cash into a side biz I have I was wondering since this is torsion bar front end can I lift the stock height without buying anything for the front and just getting spacer blocks for the rear? I dont want much lift maybe just 2-3" (too much more and it will be too much for the work I do) If I can just crank the torsion bars to get more lift is there any special tools needed for that? Or, just hit those bolts holding the keys in place with an impact? A small lift like that will I need angled blocks or just flat will be fine without burning u joints....

 

[NWRQC]

You can just crank the stock torsion bar keys to get about 1.5-2", but I wouldn't go past 2". That will level the truck out, so if you add any blocks to the rear, it will add some rake back into the stance. If you want to gain a little more clearance pick up some taller tires.

 

[Readyakira]

ok. I can just crank those bolts then. I dont need a special tool. kewl. If I crank it like that 2" then how big a tire can I get? I know I have the larger optional size on it now 265/75/17 but it definately needs a bigger tire.....I wont mind losing some turning radius, but am more concerned about the tire hitting the knuckle or fenders. inner wheel well I am not so worried about.

 

[NWRQC]

ok. I can just crank those bolts then. I dont need a special tool. kewl. If I crank it like that 2" then how big a tire can I get? I know I have the larger optional size on it now 265/75/17 but it definately needs a bigger tire.....I wont mind losing some turning radius, but am more concerned about the tire hitting the knuckle or fenders. inner wheel well I am not so worried about.

Yes you can just crank the bolts.
I believe that you will be able to clear a 34" tire. As far as width goes... that will take some calculating. On the OE 20x9 chrome clads you can run a 12.5" wide tire (common is 33x12.5x20, I ran 35x12.5x20 w/a 4" lift) with a 1/4" spacer. I don't know what the specs are on the 17'' wheels so I cant confirm the tire width that you can run.

 

[Bigboytoys]

You can fit a 33x12.5 just fine. There is no difference to the suspension components from the 20s to the 17s

 

[LS5DodgeRam]

inner wheel well I am not so worried about.

be careful with the inner wheel well though... I have large tires on my truck, with no lift, and they rub real hard against the back of my wheel well. my tires cut a huge hole in the lining, and went through to the metal. the metal was then bent and the sharp edge it has cut my tires side lugs off and almost punctured my tires themselves...

 

[Readyakira]

You can fit a 33x12.5 just fine. There is no difference to the suspension components from the 20s to the 17s

There is no difference to the suspension but the problem is that the tire with a 17" rim only has about 1/2" space between the knuckle and the sidewall. A 20" rim will bring the outermost part of the sidewall up higher by 1.5" this giving it more room before the tire hits the knuckle. Like I said losing a bit of turning radius is not that big a deal because I am used to having to back up a few to make turns thru the trails now... I did the drivers lower ball joint and stabilizer links today and cranked the keys about 2.5 turns. Of course I forgot to measure the ride height before doing so, but the truck now sits just barely higher in the front then the back. when I leave the shop today I will see how the ride has changed. And this weekend we will see if I can clear some of the spots I was scraping bottom on before.

 

[NWRQC]

I was just refering to the wheel specs playing a role in tire width. I know the suspension is the same, but the 20's are 9" wide with a +19mm offset and the 17's are 8" wide I believe but I don't know the offset. Being a narrower wheel and wanting a similar outward position I would think that there will be more roon between the wheels and suspension.

 

[Readyakira]

wish I could find out for sure what will fit without hitting the knuckle or losing too much turn radius. hate to go buy a set and find out the wont work....

 

[Readyakira]

Its looking as unless I go to a 20" rim I am not going to find a bigger tire that will probably fit. If I change to a 20" rim I can easily get 34's on the truck. So it looks as if its rim shopping next

 

[LS5DodgeRam]

So it looks as if its rim shopping next

why so blue about that? then you can add a nice flare to the truck instead of just meatier tires! you don't have to go with expensive rims either so you don't have to break the bank completely

 

[ol'red02]

http://www.ramforum.com/f76/leveling_02-05_4x4-9788/

Before you crank them check out that great write up ^^^ some great info