So I just got done putting 3.5" springs up front on my 85 pickup. I still need to get new shocks. What length shocks should I get?i plan on going about 5" total soon. But my real problem is that when I lifted it, the stabilizer bar won't extend far enough so I disconnected It for now. Is there any extensions available or a mod or what?what do you guys do when you lift 5"+??also, is there a cheap or free way to get a little more outa my brake lines?
Thanks

 

a 12 inch travel should work, if your on a budget and can't throw Fox shocks on.
you can disconnect the brake line from where it mounts on the little tab but I would do that for long. as for the bar your taking about, goes from the axle to the frame? if so I took mine off 7 years ago and throw it away. never noticed any issues running it that way.

 

What are the cheapest fox shocks available? And can I just cut that brake line tab off or will the brakeline unbolt off of there?and I'm talking about that torsion bar lookin thing that is above the skid plate on the frame then drops down on both sides to the axle If that makes sense lol

 

throw the sway bar in the garbage, yes the torsion looking thing.

 

Ok so the stabilizer bar is gone. Another thing I noticed after the spring swap is an awful pull to the right!it's horrible. Is that normal after a lift?do I just need to get an allignment?or did I screw something up?

 

I was looking at the trail gear springs and noticed that they are longer than stock. What mods are required when installing those?
Any ideas on the pulling to the Right?

 

the pull to the right is usually because after lifting the pan-hard bar is ditched. this prevented the axle wrap that is causing the truck to pull. essentially under heavy braking the axle will twist on the springs as the weight of the vehicle moves forward. this movement causes the steering arm to push into the draglink and up to the wheel, not to mention the redirection of the truck. a high steer kit will correct this. If you used the longer than stock trail gear springs you need to cut off your front spring mounts, and buy their front spring hanger to weld to your front end. Part# 110045-1-kit, 75 bucks. I am not sure how well this will work with the original front to back steering setup. Goodluck.

 

But it doesn't only pull to the right when braking. It's all the time. And if I remember correctly hy steer requires 4"+ lift to fit between the springs and oil pan?
Is there any writeups on the TG spring install?
Thanks

 

id get an alignment wouldnt want the treads to wear away especially if its pullin hard. what r the cheapest fox shocks?????

 

So will an allignment fix it for sure?
I was just wondering what are the cheapest fox shocks they make. But I think I might get the bilsteins on marlin crawler.

 

Still stock steering?

What did you do with the front torque rod? With that lift, you'll need to use a bracket on it or install a dropped/adjustable torque rod and drag link:

 

Alright, so I made some extensions for the sway/torque bar and I am hoping that'll do the trick. I also had a question about shocks. I found some bilstein 5150s 12" travel. Will that be a good length?and how would I mount them cause they look different than stock mounts on the top. I found 2 for 100 bucks. Good deal?

 

So after putting the torque bar back on the allignment is still the same. Any ideas?and how can I mount 5150s with stock shock mounts up front?
Thanks

 

bilstien offers a 5100 for the front iirc it the same as a ford ranger with a 6" lift.

 

You can measure the front shock length needed:
- http://www.off-road.com/trucks4x4/ar....jsp?id=186136

 

i would do a bunch of searching and read every FAQ threard on every site you belong to it will help you out a lot just my .02

 

utilizing the pan hard rod with a lift will crack the frame after some off road use. Seen it happen. As far as alignment goes, are you sure the pitman arm and steering gear were centered before hooking up the drop drag link?

 

I never disassembled any of the steering when I swapped the springs. Was I supposed to?

 

Not necessarily. To center the steering gear the pitman should be straight up and down, the tires should also be straight of course. The problem is probably the length adjustment of the drop draglink if everything else checks out. the ends thread in and out to adjust for height of the lift. if the truck is pulling to the right like you say try threading the ends of the draglink in. with it too long it pushes the steering arm back which pushes the tires to the right of the vehicle. you should be able to loosen the clamps on the draglink and spin it to pull the ends in, without having to remove it from the vehicle.

 

Hmm what Is the drop drag link? And doing that first part will make my steering wheel straight right? And the drag link, seems to be straight up and down right now.
Thanks for all the replies.