05 quad cab cummins

[RibbleConstruction]

I am thinking about installing a 2 inch leveling kit. I have been told that adding bigger springs would be a better idea. Any Ideas? Also I am thinking about larger tires. Such as 33's or 35's. How would this affect handling and power? Also what are your thoughts on customizing trucks that are used for business. Does that look unprofesional? Thanks for your replies.

[John DiMartino]

I would keep the stock springs, IMO they are the best,and last the longest.If your happy with the amount of drop it has with the plow,just add the spacers.If you need stiffer springs,Id put them in when you do the spacers.I ran spacers in my 2000 for 2 seasons.I just took them out ,and im seriously thinking of putting them back in again.The plow scrapes better with them in,and I almost got frame hung twice since i took them out,I never got hung with them.I would get the steel spacers,not the poly,just too much weight with a Cummins and a plow.As for the tire size,my opinion is you wont like the power steering assist with 35's and a plow.The steering effort is high on the Cummins trucks already,adding 35's with a plow will just make it worse.If you have 3.73 gears I would shy away from 35s plowing,the gearing is a little tall for tight areas,if your going to do it,put a trans temp guage on it.If you have 4.10 gears,the 35's are a perfect match ,and they drive excellent overall,just the slow speed steering may be a little on the heavy side.Power loss with 35's will depend on the gearing a little,4.10s will be better,but overall you will not notice much difference in power,and most of the small difference will be taking off,once rolling the Cummins shrugs the tall gearing right off.

[wyldman]

I would install the 2nd gen 47/48 springs first.Dodge OEM springs are the only ones that seem to hold up well over time.They aren't expensive either.It will level the truck out some,and carry the plow so much better.They will fit the 3rd gens no problem.If you want more,add a 2 inch spacer.

What ever you do,make sure your a-frame is level or you will experience extreme cutting edge wear and poor performance.

For plowing,I'd go no bigger than 33's.In the summer use whatever you want.

Timbrens should also be used to keep the front end up when stacking.

[FCLC]

Another thing you'll want to do is check the caster of your front suspension. My 95 experienced the "death wobble" today and I did some research on it and it seems this happens more to the trucks that are lifted than the one that are stock.

Here is what I read from a tech who went this big front end alignment school from chrysler or someone, the dodge guys on tdr I think use this setting. left wheel caster of 3.2 degrees, right wheel caster of 3.5 degrees. Cross caster is the same for both wheels at - .3 degrees, camber is the same at - .10 degrees, cross camber at 0.0 degrees. Use standard specs for toe in.

John or Chris can jump in and explain it better than I.

[wyldman]

Specs are good,but I like to see more like 4-5 degrees of caster.You should be able to get that on a 95,but the newer truck has less eccentric adjustment.

[RibbleConstruction]

thanks for the infor guys...keep it comin...

[BreyerConstruct]

I just went throught a "Death Wobble" experience today. I hit a pothole, & thought I bent a rim. Seriously, I was all over! Stopped & checked it out, then went over everything again @ the shop.

Tomorrow it'll go in & get re-alligned w/ the caster set to +4, this should hold it for a bit.
I've got the DSS comming, and am looking into the KORE Pase suspension system. I think that might be my final answer for overall suspension satisfaction. Anyone heard anything I should consider about KORE?

Thanks, hope this helps...

~Matt

[cardoctor]

only problem i had with lifting the front end 2" was when the blade was angled all the way only 80% of the blade was on the ground
im going to remove the spacer for the plowing season as long with the 315 tires . you have purchase longer shocks .
go to dodge talk .com they have a great forum for dodge owners
john