lifting rear end and U-joint angle question

[yob_yeknom]

I would like to lift my Explorer by twisting the torsion bars and having the rear leaf springs re-arched and adding helper springs whenever money allows. I recently called a shop that does all of this for advice and they told me that the univerals joints have to ba at a 2-4 degree angle. They said lifting the rear end might make them go out of that range and will need something (I can't remember what they called it) done to fix that.
Anybody know if installing add-a-leafs will do that? What exactly are they talking about and do I need to worry about it? Can I fix it myself or does it require special tools? (moderate to experienced mechanical ability)

 

[Anime]

nah

Sounds like they want to take you for a ride.

I'm worried about the same thing...steeper DRIVESHAFT angles caused by lifting the suspension can be a concern, but not the universal joints..at least not that I'm aware of. If your universal joints couldnt handle steep angles, it; #1 wouldnt be a universal joint and #2 wouldnt allow for any suspension travel. Universal joints can wear out or go bad so if you have one or both thats going out on you, lifting your ride can hasten the wear and tear on them or help them go out completely. If you get alot of vibration or they are just bad, pop in to NAPA and get a greaseable set for cheap...you can probably do it yourself with instructions.
How much did the shop say you needed to spend to "fix" your universal joints? You might consider using a different shop.

Ppl with lifted 95's+ have any driveshaft/universal joint probs? Please comment.

 

[yob_yeknom]

maybe the driveshaft angle is what they were talking about

Actually they knew they wouldn't be the ones to fix it, so they didn't give me a estimate. I told them I was going to twist the torsion bars up a couple of inches myself and drive it a couple of days to let them settle. Then I'd bring them my X and have them rearch the springs (to get rid of the butt sag problem my X has) and add a helper spring (for lift) to make the rear level with the front. They would also line up the front end. I told them any other work that needed to be done I would do myself. The only thing that I would pay them for is the rearching, adding a helper, and aligning the front end. You think $300 is a good deal? (100 per spring to rearch and add a helper, 100 for alignment)

So how would I fix problems with a steeper drive shaft angle? Or will just a little bit of lift even make it too steep?

 

[tiessen]

Your U joints will be fine, driveshaft angle will be fine. Other guys, including me are lifted over 6" without driveline problems. The basic premise is to keep your T-case and diff angles the same. Yours will be close enough. As I said, my truck is lifted 6" and I have no U-joints problems.

 

[JYoung]

I have the add-a-leaf and 5.5 suspension lift with no problems.So just an add-a-leaf should be no concern.

 

[Anime]

Well

I'd have to recommend the Warrior Shackles (WAR153) for what you want to do. They cost $40-50, will lift up the rear no problem, you can adjust the torsion bars to match in the front, and you get increased travel...plus its alot less work and money than the add-a-leaf or re-arching...

Also, you dont need to re-arch AND add an add-a-leaf..just one or the other.

If you tow alot, an add-a-leaf would be better but if you dont, the WAR153s are the way to go. You can get them from DesertRat.com (have to call to order) and you can get ProComp add-a-leafs for like $30 from 4wheel parts or even SummitRacing.com

You wont have any driveshaft or universal joint problems with this lift unless you have bad universal joints already.

$100 sounds a bit expensive for a front end alignment. Shop around..find a good 4x4 shop that does them, and works on lifted vehicles.
Usually its $20-40, maybe more at different places.

You might not have the tools or be able to do the add-a-leaf yourself, but if you go with the warrior shackle lift, consider doing it yourself..its pretty easy if you have a jack, jackstands, and the right sockets and wrenches.
Then you just twist the torsion bars up front with a socket too and all you pay for is the shackles and the alignment! (Probably under $100 total) Use the money you saved for other mods.