Need to get my truck into college trim

[Hartman]

I heading to college in the fall and I will be taking my truck. The problem is, I have to park in the football stadium because I will be a freshman. Obviously, this would be a breeding ground for thieves, so I will not be able to take my rims or possibly my system. Therefore, I have come up with some plans that will make my truck enjoyable to drive but without the constant threat of thievery.

First, my rims will probably have to go. I just see no sense in keeping my 20s because I won't be able to run them, and even if I did I still have to put them away from the winter. Rather than just letting them sit in my garage and depreciate in value, I need to get rid of em.

Second, since I won't have rims, there's really no point in me being lowered, but I don't want to be at stock height with stock wheels and tires. I want to lift it a bit. Not really for offroading, but mostly for looks and being able to traverse a little bit in the winter. Small trails are never out of the question.

So here's what I'm thinking. Please tell me if I'm crazy.

1. Try to sell my rims and tires for $2,000 (Paid $2,600 for them and they have less than 5k on them)
2. TT/Shackles and 31" BFG Mud Terrains
3. Have some money left over for whatever

or

1. Sell rims
2. 3" Procomp spindle lift
3. 1-2" TT/shackles
4. 33" BFG Mud Terrain

If I decide to do any of these, I want to go with these Eagle rims that are on eBay. I've always loved the look.

I'm still deciding on whether or not I want BFGs or Pro Comps. I guess it depends on the price, but I like the look of the BFGs.

Next, I need some info on the spindle lift. After converting to 2WD, I'm totally comfortable with the install myself. I see the kit for sale at 4WP for about $618, does anyone know if I can get it cheaper somewhere else?

Lastly, I need some opinions on whether or not it's a good idea to do this. Obviously I want to do the Procomp lift and 33s, but the price absolutely has to stay at or around 2k, assuming I can sell my wheels for that much. Does this sound feasable?I go thru these phases of wanting to lift my truck every once and a while, but I feel that this is the time to do it because of my college sitation.

Any comments would be welcome.

 

[Robb]

Finally!!!!

 

[Hartman]

I know Robb, I know. One part of it is I'm really sick of all the stereotypes. People think that because I have 20" rims and I'm lowered that I'm some sort of gansta wannabe or something which is totally not true. Maybe another part of it is growing up, literally.

 

[Redrig]

If you can work it into that budget I say go for it. Wether you were lifting or lowering I think the change will be satisfying. I hope you can do the spindle lift and 33's either way I cant wait to see the change. Goodluck!

 

[Hartman]

ANOTHER thing about being lowered is the ride quality. At first, it doesn't seem bad, but then it starts to wear on you and you just want to go over small bumps without feeling every part of it. I know that a lifted truck won't be a caddy ride but it has to be better.

 

[CodePoet]

If done right it will be...damn hartman, for some dumb reason I thought you were older than me (graduating college in 2 weeks woohoo!). I think it's a good idea, welcome to our side . I love that style of rim btw...bfg's though aren't high on my list, they are expensive and tires of equal quality can be had without spending all that money...but i'm just an jerk when it comes to bfgs lol. Anyway sounds like a great plan, can't wait to see it. BTW, this august there is gonna be a trs round up at Badlands, now that your not gonna be a streeter you might want to come

Later
CP

 

[Robb]

1. Sell rims
2. 3" Procomp spindle lift
3. 1-2" TT/shackles
4. 33" BFG Mud Terrain

Looking at your plans, let's face it, you will want your X to stick out from the rest, so plan #1 w/ 31"s isn't gonna cut it for ya. So, looking at plan #2 w/ the 33s, you have about 4"-5" of lift in the front, and only 1.5" in the rear.

As you know, you will need about 5" of overall lift to fit those 33s (at least with 12.5s you will). If it were me, I would do the ProComp spindles with +/- 2" TT, and go SOA in the back. Body lifts are, of course, out of the question, cause I don't think a gap over the rollpan would look good.

I also wouldn't go with the MTs if offroading will be a limited activity. If you like BFGs, the ATs should do you fine, and the constant road noise of the MT would probably drive you nuts.

Those are nice looking rims, what kinda $$$ do they run?

What gear ratio do you have in the rear diff?

 

[aldive]

ANOTHER thing about being lowered is the ride quality. At first, it doesn't seem bad, but then it starts to wear on you and you just want to go over small bumps without feeling every part of it. I know that a lifted truck won't be a caddy ride but it has to be better.

Been there, done that; how bad ( as compared to lowered ) is the ride of a lifted truck?

 

[aldive]

By the way, where are you going to college?

 

[Hartman]

Al, I'm going to Ball State.

Robb, the Pro Comp kit comes with AALs too, so that should be about 4.5-5" for the rear. I will not do a body lift, that is not an option. If I wanted, I could easily fab some brackets for my rollpan, but I simply do not like the look of a body lift.

I want MTs because I really like the aggressive look. I guess I'm looking for a tire that looks fairly aggressive but isn't real loud and bumpy on the road. I don't want a tire that just looks like a regular radial tire in regards to the tread.

 

[Robb]

Ah, the Pro Comp complete lift, I read too quickly. From their site, the AALs lift 3" in the rear. I have no experience with them, or even read about them, but any type of AAL that lifts 3" usually rides like garbage. It should be the equivalent of about 5" of TT, a double AAL +, or sticking a bunch of "lift spacers" in coils.

Think SOA Hartman. It may sound like a PITA, but it really isn't.

 

[Hartman]

Hmmm I really don't want to do a SOA in the rear. Just seems like a little too much for me.

 

[Hartman]

BTW I have a 3.55 open diff.

 

[Hokie]

Wow, I think, yeup, i'm sure of it, Hell just froze over

Glad to see you're joining the good side. LoL 2wd conversion and a lift, makes sense

Anyway, an AAL for that much lift will ride like CRAP. I had a used AAL in my 4 door leaf packs that I put in my Sport and it rode like crap. I took it out last weekend and it feels like a new truck

Don't take that beautiful truck of yours off road. You're paint is too nice. That glossy black will show EVERYTHING. I'm kicking myself for running this one trail 2 times b/c I have pinstriping running the length of my truck now

BTW I have a 3.55 open diff.

Have fun turning 33's with those gears

 

[Trckmagik]

Youc an get just the Spindles for around 3 hundred. I would not get the entire kit. Your best bet is really to do the following.

-Spring over using your stock shackles
-3" Spindle lift
-1" Torsion Twist (Lift)

This will give you the look you want and NEED You will also spend less going this route. Keep us informed. I am very glad to see your truck going up.

 

[GaSouthern1]

You should also check out the MTRs and the Truxs MTs, they are both great tires that look real nice.

 

[dman726749]

Al, I'm going to Ball State.

I will have to look you up next year then hartman.

 

[james t]

ANOTHER thing about being lowered is the ride quality. At first, it doesn't seem bad, but then it starts to wear on you and you just want to go over small bumps without feeling every part of it. I know that a lifted truck won't be a caddy ride but it has to be better.

Finally, someone who understands what i went through. I got alot of **** from members on this board (through PM) for doing what i did. Fact is, mine was lowered quite some time before i joined here. After driving it around lowered for almost 3 years, i just couldnt take the ride anymore. Yes, lifted it doesnt ride as good as stock but its a helluva lot better than lowered. Its a different kind of rough ride... one that is just much more tolerable.

BTW- you have a pm.

 

[osker75]

alright i have a question. will he rub with only the 4 inches of suspension in the front and i was wondering for myself would i be better off running 3" body,3tt/shackle and 4 door leafs or spindles, shackles/tt 4 door leafs and a 3" body for 33's

 

[jayhawkexplorer]

From someone who's been parking in college lots for three years, get ready to have your Ex get dinged a bit. With the way people drive and park in college towns, you're almost 100% guaranteed to get a couple dings and scratches. My advice would be to know its going to happen and do the best you can to protect yourself when you park. By that I mean take the spots on the end of the row, back of the parking lot, etc. You're smart to take the stereo and rims off, I had a friend with a Grand Cherokee get $3,000 in stereo equip get stolen from the dorm parking lot and my roommate's Cavalier has been broken into twice by having his locks drilled out. And this is right in front of our dorm. I can only imagine how bad it'll be in a remote football field lot. You may want to invest in a security system as well.