Rock Crawler’s 2/4 Drop Saga

[Raildog87]

That's what happened to me with Moe's, took awhile.

 

[Rock Crawler]

1. The ride is very smooth now that I adjusted the compression and rebound on the struts.
2. I have not tack welded anything. I have checked the bolts a few times in approximately 3000 miles. No movement.
I have had noise from the rear sway bar end links a few times. Those are going to be replaced with links that have grease fittings. The IHC rear shocks have started to squeak as well. I ordered QA1 TD903 shocks to make it fully adjustable at all 4 corners.

That’s good to hear. Will the QA1 TD903 shocks work for a 4” rear drop?

 

[Rock Crawler]

Well, fun fact. Bilstein P/N 24-185684 does not work on my truck. Now, another week or so stuck on the lift until I figure this one out. The lower bolt will not fit in any of the Bilstein collars provided in the box. Urrrrggggg.

 

[Clv22p]

Well, fun fact. Bilstein P/N 24-185684 does not work on my truck. Now, another week or so stuck on the lift until I figure this one out. The lower bolt will not fit in any of the Bilstein collars provided in the box. Urrrrggggg.

@ferraiolo1 @Mopar_maxi any advice for him?

 

[ferraiolo1]

Well, fun fact. Bilstein P/N 24-185684 does not work on my truck. Now, another week or so stuck on the lift until I figure this one out. The lower bolt will not fit in any of the Bilstein collars provided in the box. Urrrrggggg.

You need to swap the bushings from the maxtrac shocks to the 5100s as described here

Post in thread 'My Maxtrac lowering installation' My Maxtrac lowering installation


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[Rock Crawler]

I’m not using a Maxtrac kit. I’m using Tumbergrove 4” Drop CRM’s, IHC Geometry Axle Brackets, Hellwig Adjustable Sway Bar Links and these shocks.

 

[Rock Crawler]

You need to swap the bushings from the maxtrac shocks to the 5100s as described here

Post in thread 'My Maxtrac lowering installation' My Maxtrac lowering installation


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I’m assuming from the pic that you are swapping the rubber bushings and the collars? Maybe I can contact Maxtrac to see if I can get just those parts from them.

 

[ferraiolo1]

Correct. It’s a pita but it works.

One of the reasons I just bought their full kit even though I didn’t use everything from
It


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[Rock Crawler]

Ordered the bushings and spacers from Maxtrac. Hopefully they will make it by Friday so I can finish.

 

[Clv22p]

What’s your wheel/tire setup?

 

[Rock Crawler]

What’s your wheel/tire setup?

Stock night edition 22” wheels and tires

 

[Clv22p]

Did your parts come in?

I’m still waiting on Spohn panhard bar. Thought about going ahead and doing the spindles, then the rear when the bar comes in.

 

[gearhead321]

That’s good to hear. Will the QA1 TD903 shocks work for a 4” rear drop?

Yes, the TD903 shocks will work for 4" drop. I installed them this week and have been adjusting them to my liking. The lower shock bushing tubes need to be swapped over or get some grade 8 bolts with a solid shank.

 

[Rock Crawler]

Did your parts come in?

I’m still waiting on Spohn panhard bar. Thought about going ahead and doing the spindles, then the rear when the bar comes in.

Yes, they arrived and I’m finished. Well, except for the alignment which I’ll do after driving it for a little while.

 

[Clv22p]

That’s good to hear! You’ve had quite the time with it. Let us know how it all preforms.

 

[Rock Crawler]

Finished!

Front: Maxtrac 2” lowering struts (372403)
Maxtrac Upper Control Arms (352700)

Rear: Timber Grove 4” Drop Coil Replacement Mount Airbags
(SQ8419421)
Bilstein 5100 Shocks (24-185684)
IHC Suspension Cut-Kit Relocation Brackets
Spohn Panhard Bar (D09-1500-104)
Hellwig Adjustable Sway Bar End Links (7961)

I would have preferred to use the drop spindles, but oh well. Installation of the front struts was not very difficult and the UCA’s were simple since I was already in there to do the struts. The rear axle Cut Kit is a ton of work and would be much easier if the axle was removed from the truck. There is a lot of cutting and grinding to do and some of the spots are very tight. I had to use a Dremel with a cut-off wheel in these areas. This seems to take forever. It seems to do what it is supposed to. The lower control arm is horizontal to the ground like it is supposed to be. So, rear geometry should all be good. Oddly enough, after taking measurements with a plumb bob, the rear axle is still centered. I did not have to adjust the panhard bar at all. Maybe it will move after being driven a bit. It’s very important to read all direction and not tighten any of the bolts until the suspension is under a load. This way the tension bushings don’t get damaged and everything aligns properly. This can easily done with jack stands under the rear axle and a jack under the control arms in the front. The Timber Grove bags are pretty simple to install. It’s a bolt in kit and will support up to 6K lbs. I wanted these because I wanted to lower the truck but I did not want to lose my towing capabilities. The Hellwig adjustable sway bar links help to keep my Hellwig sway bar horizontal to the ground like it is supposed to be. For the rear shocks, the bushings from Maxtrac worked well. After removing the Bilstein lower bushings, they seem to be identical to the Maxtrac ones. I think the only thing you really need is the metal sleeve. I just went ahead and used the Maxtrac stuff. Job made fairly easy with a press and some sockets. The ride is not bad. I actually don’t mind a little stiffer ride. It’s definitely not the super soft drive of the factory suspension, but nothing to complain about. All-in-all, it’s a lot of work and was definitely made easier on this old body by having a BendPak two post lift. I meant to take pics before I put the wheels back on, but I forgot.

 

[Rock Crawler]

More pics

STOCK



2/4 DROP

 

[BadTrooper_345]

dat looks purty guud! lol

 

[Clv22p]

That’s perfect!

Can’t wait to hear how the timbergroves do for you. I may switch to them down the road.

Did you say what you are using for air?

 

[Mopar_maxi]

Looks great. Clean install. What did you use to cut the factory rear brackets off? I need to do the cut kit on my 4” rear drop.