Deluxe Suspension Package from 4x4parts

Topics relating to Lift Kits, Suspension, Steering...

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doctahjones
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Postby doctahjones » Wed Aug 15, 2012 6:23 am

with the help of my buddy, i think it took a total of like 6 hours? but that included the ~2hour wait for the shop to switch out the struts in the assemblies.

overall i still like it, and for ~$440 i don't think you can beat the improved ride.

however, i want stiffer. don't get me wrong, the deluxe package is 100x better than stock, but it's still not enough for me. the back end still sways too much for me, even with the airlift bags at 30psi (they run separate, i didn't combine the lines). i'm not looking for sports car handling, but i know stiffer components are out there. i mean if my buddys lifted f250 can have it so he doesn't have any nose lift or dive when accelerating or braking, i know you can do it with the pathy too. so i want even harder springs and stiffer shocks/struts, but that's gonna cost -alot- more than the $440.

i'm 2 weeks away from getting the 285/65/18 bfg at tko's so we'll see if that also helps with the sway and 'mushyness' i still feel. if it doesn't then i'll be switching out the springs/shocks/struts again in about 6 months.


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volvite
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Postby volvite » Wed Aug 15, 2012 11:51 am

I know there has been talk when swaping out the rear springs of needing to buy the new bolts to help with camber. Does that ring a bell?

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doctahjones
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Postby doctahjones » Wed Aug 15, 2012 12:31 pm

yeah there was some talk about some people not having rear camber bolts on their paths. all i know is that my '08 v8 LE 4x4 did already have them, as did carl's (racerX i think).

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volvite
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Postby volvite » Wed Aug 15, 2012 12:59 pm

Ok thanks. I'll have to look at my 08 V8 and see. I would assume I will have them as well, but will need to check just in case I end up doing this.

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doctahjones
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Postby doctahjones » Wed Aug 15, 2012 1:22 pm

if you do, they will look like below. i'm looking from the rear to the front, on the passenger side (you can see my old spring and airlift to the right).

Image

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volvite
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Postby volvite » Wed Aug 15, 2012 1:26 pm

Thanks for the pictures. I'll take a look when I get home from work. Have you noticed any bad wear on your rear tires with this lift?

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Oly 22
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Postby Oly 22 » Wed Aug 15, 2012 4:56 pm

Thanks again.

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Oly 22
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Postby Oly 22 » Tue Aug 28, 2012 9:51 pm

I spoke to the guys at 4x4parts about the deluxe lift kit. Hopefully able to get these in the next month. I mentioned that I wanted to lift the Pathy and level it. He mentioned that I would need front springs as well, to level it. I have not read any where that others have had to or have replaced the front springs to level out. Also, he mentioned that I would need front camber bolts, haven't seen this elsewhere either, just rears. Does this seem correct? I have a 2011 and mine does have rear camber bolts but could not see any in the front.

Any and all help appreciated.

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doctahjones
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Postby doctahjones » Wed Aug 29, 2012 11:05 am

wellll, i'm betting it's the "level" word you used. i thought that the pathy was raked (front lower than rear) a little from factory. i have nothing to back this up however.

which really, the rear springs settle at about 1.5in lift, not "2 inches" like the description says. so if you do 2in in the front and use the deluxe upgrade you -should- be about level imo.

not sure that you need front camber bolts, i thought -all- pathys had those.

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doctahjones
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Postby doctahjones » Wed Aug 29, 2012 3:00 pm

here's my heights to the middle of the fender well after this suspension and tire upgrade. top number was stock heights in inches, bottom is suspension + tire + airlift @35psi

FL /FR /RL /RR
34.75 /34.5 /34.5 /34.5
36.75 /36.75 /37 /37.5

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Oly 22
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Postby Oly 22 » Wed Aug 29, 2012 4:50 pm

So she sits almost level. I thought I read you were going to raise the front one more inch. Is this to give you more clearance for your new tires?

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doctahjones
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Postby doctahjones » Wed Aug 29, 2012 5:11 pm

nah, don't have an inch left.

the bilstein ride height adjustables let you choose the lift... 1/2in increments from 0 to 2in. when i put mine in i wanted to make sure i still had rake so i set the front to 1.5in. the new rear springs (supposedly 2in) settled at about 1.5in, so i still had the factory rake in place.

my plan in the next month is to add a 1in spacer in the rear ($40/each from my local 4wheelparts.com shop) and (for the time being) up the front struts to full 2in. so i'll be adding ~1in to the rear and another 1/2in to the front. might make a slight difference in fit for the front, but i have my buddys heat gun that i'll be using in the next few days. might even be able to put the front mudflaps back on it.

then maybe in a year i'll replace the front struts with a radflo/etc setup that has a new firmer front spring with it. then maybe a year after that i'll get a stiffer rear spring....and then...and then :D

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Oly 22
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Postby Oly 22 » Wed Aug 29, 2012 6:16 pm

Gotcha. So with the rear coils settled down and if you set the front shocks to 2", you would be pretty much dead level. That is what I would be looking for. So the front coils that 4x4parts suggested I need to level out the Pathy are not required.

Thanks, you just saved me some money.

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doctahjones
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Postby doctahjones » Thu Aug 30, 2012 4:42 pm

Oly 22 wrote:Gotcha. So with the rear coils settled down and if you set the front shocks to 2", you would be pretty much dead level.

imo, yes i think you would be level. keep in mind i'm not a certified mechanic and your results may vary :)

Oly 22 wrote:That is what I would be looking for. So the front coils that 4x4parts suggested I need to level out the Pathy are not required.

Thanks, you just saved me some money.
yeah, i don't think you'd need the front coils for what you're wanting. and your welcome!

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Clay350
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Postby Clay350 » Mon Sep 17, 2012 1:16 pm

Besides replacing the pathetic stock rear springs what is the advantage to this kit? What do you notice while driving?


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