Hey everyone, just need some opinions on something. I purchased a set of 3" billet coil spacers from Supreme Suspension on Amazon. The description says it is not a 1 to 1 ratio for lift. Well, I kind of expected if it says 3" it should be 3" in height. I measured it and it's actually 2" minus the 1/5" groove underneath and I'm left with 1.5". Am I overlooking something? I don't know if I received the wrong part or what. How can it be advertised as 3" when it only measures 2"?
I'm not going to be the one to install them so I'm not sure what will need to be done but in order to level out my truck I would need a minimum of 3" in front.
Thanks!
Kelly
1997 Dodge Ram
1500 2wd
5.2 L
The reason why it isn't a "1 to 1 lift" is because of the geometry of the front suspension. For an overly simplified geometry lesson - if you have an arm that is 18" long - if the height of the left end is fixed, and you move the center point down 1 1/2", the right end will move down 3". To apply it to the front end - the inner control arm end is fixed, and if the spring pocket is roughly centered between the inner control arm bushing and the ball joints - so if you lower the spring pocket with the spacer 1 1/2" the spindle will lower 3". If you look at the pic DodgeTx posted, you can see what I am talking about - the spring (pocket) is roughly centered between the control arm (inner) bushings and the ball joints.
Same thing happens when you raise/lower the rear of a vehicle. I read people complaining they installed a 4" drop front spring hanger, but it only dropped 2". Why would it change any more than that - they only did half the job! Same thing - 30" spring, axle centered, if you move only one end 4" the center only moves 2". To get a true 4" drop - or raise - you must move BOTH ends 4" to get a 4" change. Simple geometry.
