I know this has probably been discussed before, but my search efforts have been in vain. Anyway, here is the Downey Pro-Desert system I will be ordering for my 93 p/u:


48686-SPD Torsion Bars 48186
86-88 Pro-Desert 2" Rear Springs 48279-2
Front Shocks (two) 8434D
Rear Shocks (one each) 8166D & 8231D
$528.96

48689-SPD same as above with 89-95 rear springs
89-95 Pro-Desert
$528.96

I talked to Downey over the phone, and this should be all inclusive for a 2" lift. I didn't like the idea of a bracket IFS lift... and I hate blocks for the rear... Mine are sagging badly anyway.

My questions are:

1. Anyone who has run this setup, thoughts?
2. What else do I NEED to perform this? (brake lines, etc)
3. Thoughts on adding BJ spacers and longer shackles? Is this a good way to add another 1" or so without really tweaking the new TB's?

Please, I really want thoughts on this, I want to do this soon.

Thanks in advance.

 

What are you looking for in your lift?

How do you use the truck?

What size tires do you want to run, and what condition are your current tires in (ie - do they need to be replaced soon)?

Note that the torsion bars don't provide any real lift. Best case they just have indexed ends that have crank "built in" to them. Worst case, you'll just end up cranking them to get the lift and you can read on here over and over the problems that causes - especially if the new bars have a higher rate than the stock ones.

The only reason to lift an IFS truck is to fit larger tires. The only reason to buy tires is if yours are worn out.

 

Thanks for your thoughts. I'm currently running 32x11.50's that the PO put on the truck. They rub a tiny bit at the locks. I don't NEED to put bigger tires on there for what I do with it (trails, camping, playing in the mud, climbing around the KY hills) I guess I'd just rather have the extra travel rather than a little bigger tire. I just want the option to run 33's if I want, and the ability for this truck to go through around or over anything that gets thrown at it.

You said "The only reason to lift an IFS truck is to fit larger tires." Can't I just lift it because I want to? That's really all it boils down to, right?

Thanks again.

 

I was looking at that same setup. I think tc, is telling you don't throw your money away on a lift that you won't get much use out of. Better to toss those coins at a locker, armor, or drivetrain. I agree. Like I said I was looking at the same setup, but read the torsion bars from Downey are really stiff. I instead am gona just get new shocks, see how my truck does there, then maybe new leafs, then if my tires are still hitting (32x10.50x16), I'm gona do a 1" body lift. I'll probably also do the BJ spacers, but loosen up my Tbars for more movement. And of course a locker & gears!

 

Sure you can lift just cuz you want to. IFS lifts don't gain you any travel. In many instances, you actually LOSE travel.

33x10.50 WILL fit on your truck at stock height.

Lockers will do more to allow you to "go through around or over anything that gets thrown at it." than tires/lift ever will.


Exactly

 

Thanks Guys. I have Aisins on the front, and have a laundry list of things I'm going to do to give the old 3.0 some love. Mainly cleaning the intake, plenum, TB, fuel injectors, new PCV, valve cover gaskets, ISR, fuel filter, etc. So, hopefully, that department will be good for a while.

With the aisins, would you do a locker in the rear, or is it more important to regear?

 

Well, if you use the truck offroad much, I would definitely do lockers and gears at the same time as the labor involved is exactly the same, so you save the cost ofan install over doing them separately.