I'm getting tired of bottoming out on the bumpstops on EVERY SPEEDBUMP!! Let alone larger obstacles.... Shocks would help I'm sure.... I noticed the rear axle is on top of the leaf springs. If i were to mount the axle on the bottom of the leaf springs, how much lift, and would i be able to match the rear lift by torquing the front torsion bars, and cutting the bumpstops in half? Or would i have to drop the front control arms and or other such fab? <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif" alt="" />

If you do what you are contemplating, you are going to end up with at least 5" to 6" of lift in the rear (the diameter of the axle tube plus the thickness of the spring pack).

The most that you will get out of the front is probably 2 1/2", 3" if you remove all the movement in the front axle. This will result in a totally jarring ride and probably some very short life for front end components.

However, even if you make all these changes, the pumpkin is still going to be the same distance off the ground. All you will have done is raised the body relative to the axle.

The easiest way to gain some ground clearance is larger diameter tires. In fact, if you are talking about ground clearance under the pumpkin, the only way you can increase that distance is by going to larger diameter tires.

Now that i look at it, your right.... So other than complete custom fabrication and dropping down my whole IFS system, not that i even want 5-6" lift.... Who has the best bang for the buck lift kit? Calmini looks quite complete. Will a 3" lift give me room for 33"s? otherwise i'll suffice with 31"s...

I have done the flip on the rear and tweaked the "T" bars till I'm just bearly on the front bumps.

http://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p309/md3turbo/DSC02198.jpg

With the 285/75/16 on 16X10 rims, they just bearly hit the fender at one revolution of the steering wheel then are clear. The simplest choice is one of the preasembled kits.

That rig looks good... If i were to just drop the IFS down 4-5", that would make the rig higher, but would not give me any more travel. What's the easiest way to gain travel? Just torque the torsion bars and maybe add longer shackles to the rear? And maybe some stiffer shocks?

There really isn't any way to increase total travel without replacing the front axle (SAS). Cranking the torsion bars just trades up travel for down travel.

Okay, maybe I'm missing something here, but what I got in your post was that you were hitting the bump stops when going over speed bumps? Sounds to me like the spring pack may be worn out and isn't giving you the proper spring rate for the truck. If that's the case, deal with the springs first, shocks won't help until the springs are taken care of. If you want to get taller shackles or lift springs for 1-3" while you do it, go for it, but deal with the underlying issue first.

If you're talking about buffing the bottom of your rear pumpkin in a natural way, just ignore all this. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

James

This is a good solution to your problem:

Independent4x.com

Check the springs like people have already suggested.
If you are just looking for an inexpensive way to get 33's under your rig, just do a body lift. They are little more than $100.00
It worked for me, was easy to do, and I have 33x12.5's that fit nicely without any real rubbing to speak of.

I like those springs, should i compliment those with the HD torsion bars? Also what are good shocks? 33x12.50 is about what i'm lookin' for, they look about right on your rig (storm trooper) How many inches is your body lift?