Ultimate Diesel truck Suspension Buyers Guide

If you want to jack your diesel truck up as tall as Bigfoot, or just make it ride better, you have plenty of options available. Whether your pickup is used for towing, hauling, racing, off-roading, commuting, or all these activities, you can improve the handling and capacity to make your truck better than stock. While some upgrades involve a total replacement of your truck's factory suspension, some options are fairly simple but can still make a big difference. Check out the following 26 suspension products in our diesel truck suspension buyer's guide and see which ones make the most sense for your rig. Fully Lifted
Number one on our diesel truck suspension buyer's guide list is the BDS suspension system that increases the ride height of heavy-duty GM trucks 6.5 inches by adding a high-arch crossmember that relocates the factory lower control arms. The kit includes skidplates that lock together to protect the front differential and the transfer case, along with 5-inch lift blocks for the rear suspension. This setup can be ordered with Fox 2.0 or BDS 5500 gas shocks and a steering stabilizer, and it comes with a "No B.S." lifetime warranty, which means the original purchaser can get any broken part replaced, no questions asked.
BDS Suspension
(517) 279-2135 www.bds-suspension.com   |   suspension Buyers Guide bds Suspension Zone Offroad Products offers suspension lifts, including kits that can raise a Dodge truck up to 8 inches higher than the stock ride height. This 6-inch lift for '09 to '12 Rams relocates the upper and lower control arms and repositions the front axle to maintain proper caster and pinion angles. The kit includes full-length coil springs, bumpstops, rear lift blocks, and a dropped pitman arm, along with the parts required for track bar and sway bar relocation. While retaining stock alignment adjustability, the 6-inch kit makes room for 37-inch tires.
Zone Offroad Products
(888) 998-9663 www.zoneoffroad.com   |   suspension Buyers Guide zone Offroad Suspension The ReadyLift Series 3 is a complete off-road-ready suspension kit for '11 to current Ford Super Duty trucks. The kit provides 5 inches of lift and includes everything from custom-wound springs to upgraded SST9000 shocks, boxed steel radius arms with urethane pivots, and mini leaf packs and lift blocks for the rear suspension. It also includes the steering and drivetrain components needed to make the truck ride better than stock. All this combines to provide enhanced on- and off-road performance with enough clearance for tires as tall as 38 inches.
ReadyLift
(877) 759-9991 www.readylift.com   |   suspension Buyers Guide readylift Suspension ProComp has a new 6-inch lift kit for '11 to '13 heavy-duty Chevrolet and GMC trucks that fits up to a 35-inch tire while retaining the factory turning radius. The parts included are ¼-inch-thick steel crossmembers, CNC-machined steering knuckles, differential skidplate, and nitrogen-charged shocks or optional Pro Runner Monotube shocks. The installation time is estimated at just 3½ hours, because there is no drilling or welding required. The system is completely compatible with the factory Stabilitrak electronic stability control system and is available with ProComp's Lift Shield warranty.
ProComp
(800) 776-0767 www.procompusa.com   |   suspension Buyers Guide procomp Suspension Kit The dune doctors at Synergy Suspension call this 3-inch suspension lift a "Starter System," but it's a significant upgrade over stock. The kit is designed for Dodge diesel 4x4s from '94 to current and allows fitment of tires up to 37 inches tall. It comes with front coil springs, rear lift blocks, and front sway bar links. It can be upgraded with fixed or adjustable front lower control arms and Fox 2.0 Racing Shox-with or without remote reservoirs.
Synergy Suspension
(805) 242-0397 www.synergysuspension.com   |   suspension Buyers Guide ram Truck In Sand Full Throttle Suspension makes huge kits for diesel trucks, including up to 16 inches of lift for some models. Even the tallest kits do not extend the track width and maintain the proper CV angles on GM trucks. FTS also builds custom shock absorbers to meet the specific needs of your giant suspension lift.
Full Throttle Suspension
(559) 271-8685 www.fullthrottlesuspension.com   |   suspension Buyers Guide lifted Chevy Silverado Superlift offers a 6-inch '11 to '12 Ford Super Duty suspension kit with springs designed specifically for the weight of the Power Stroke engine, ensuring proper lift height and ride quality. The system also includes steering relocation parts, brackets that drop the lower radius arms, Kevlar extended brake lines, and your choice of twin-tube hydraulic shocks or Bilstein monotube shocks. The company also sells a 4-inch lift that can fit 35-inch tires, while the 6-inch lift makes room for 37-inch tires.
Superlift
(888) 299-4692 www.superlift.com   |   suspension Buyers Guide matchbox Lifted Super Duty McGaughy's premium Phase 3 suspension lift for Ford Super Dutys provides 6 or 8 inches of lift. This kit includes a fully boxed four-link designed to keep the steering geometry true as the front axle moves up and down. McGaughy's also has kits for Dodge and GM trucks.
McGaughy's
(559) 226-8196 www.mcgaughys.com
  |   suspension Buyers Guide mcaughys Suspension These new two-wheel-drive MaxTrac lift spindles allow you to add 3 to 4 inches of additional ride height to a rear-wheel-drive Dodge. The bolt-on parts are made of ductile iron and don't require different control arms, springs, or shocks to achieve the additional lift, which allows 33-inch tires to fit without fender modifications. MaxTrac also has coil spring upgrades that can be used with the lift spindles and rear blocks to raise the ride height for a total lift of 6 inches.
MaxTrac
(877) 929-3015 www.maxtracsuspension.com   |   suspension Buyers Guide maxtrac Spindles Skyjacker has a 7-inch lift kit for '11-and-up GM trucks and a way to keep expensive emissions equipment safe. The suspension lift includes everything needed to raise a Chevy or GMC to this height, including new steering knuckles, front crossmember, CV axle spacers, front sway bar links, front skidplate, rear lift blocks, and upgraded shocks. Skyjacker is also offering a DEF urea tank skidplate that can be installed on trucks at the stock ride height. A solid entry in our diesel truck suspension buyer's guide.
Skyjacker
(318) 388-0816 www.skyjacker.com   |   suspension Buyers Guide skyjacker Lifted Chevy Silverado Riding on Air
Kelderman offers suspension kits with air springs for everything from ultra-high-capacity pickups with the stock ride height to skyscraping show trucks. At the most recent SEMA convention, the company showed off this modified Ram 5500 built for heavy-duty work, and a wild Ram with a 10-inch lift that has no problem fitting 40-inch tires. Kelderman offers remote-control touchpads for its systems so you can adjust the ride height from inside the cabin, and even a keyfob that works when you are up to 100 feet from your truck.
Kelderman
(800) 334-6150 www.kelderman.com   |   suspension Buyers Guide kelderman Lifted Ram Truck The Firestone R4Tech system is an adjustable hybrid air-over-leaf rear suspension that's built to give you the ride of an air suspension with the control of a conventional leaf spring setup. It uses any existing front suspension lift and combination of tough Firestone airbags along with a unique leaf and link setup from the spring experts at SANLUIS Rassini. In addition to providing a smoother ride with no loss in capacity, the system weighs less than the stock suspension by as much as 140 pounds.
Firestone
(800) 247-4337 www.firestoneip.com   |   suspension Buyers Guide firestone Air Suspension Diagram This massive air suspension system by Airbagit replaces the rear factory leaf springs with large four-link trailing arms and airbags. It's rated to support up to 10,000 pounds while towing-that's right, 5 tons of capacity. The electronic controller lets you preset pressures for each corner of the truck, and you can adjust the suspension ride height from 4 inches below to 4 inches above stock.
Airbagit
(800) 842-8789 www.airbagit.com   |   suspension Buyers Guide airbagit Kit Daystar's new Air Bag Cradle is designed to permit full suspension travel while still allowing the airbag suspension to work as it was meant to. The cup design of the cradles lets the suspension cycle with no loss of overall wheel travel. The durable polyurethane mounts fit most trucks and work with most 6-inch-diameter airbags.
Daystar
(623) 907-0081 www.daystarweb.com   |   suspension Buyers Guide daystar Airbag Cradle The new Air Lift Load Lifter 5000 Ultimate Air Spring Kits come with something special inside them. In addition to the standard high-capacity airbags, these new units have an internal jounce bumper. This part was added to increase the durability of the suspension, while improving safety and ride comfort.
Air Lift
(800) 248-0892 www.airliftcompany.com   |   suspension Buyers Guide airlift Air Spring Demo See page 2 of our diesel truck suspension buyer's guide! Shocking Changes
Our diesel truck suspension buyer's guide wouldn't be complete without mentioning The RS9000XL series of shock absorbers from Rancho which can be adjusted manually for nine levels of firmness for improved handling and comfort over the factory ride. The shocks can be equipped with the MyRide wireless controller so the driver can adjust the settings remotely. These nitrogen-charged gas shocks are available with up to 2.75-inch body diameters, and the Pro Series has remote reservoirs that provide extra capacity for the demands of off-roading.
Rancho Suspension
(734) 384-7804 www.gorancho.com   |   suspension Buyers Guide rancho Pro Series Shocks These universal shock hoops by Ballistic Fabrication allow you to mount extra-long shock absorbers on your project by providing a secure connection to the truck's frame. The bungs allow the use of any shock mounting width, and the extra-long hoop legs provide enough room for numerous shock lengths. The affordable kit comes with Grade 8 mounting hardware, and it can be ordered with either 1.5- or 1.75-inch-diameter DOM (mandrel-bent) tubing with 0.120-inch-thick walls.
Ballistic Fabrication
(520) 888-4441 www.ballisticfabrication.com   |   suspension Buyers Guide ballistic Fab Shock Hoops The 5160 Series shocks by Bilstein are remote-reservoir monotube shocks designed specifically to fit your truck without the need for any cutting or welding. Bilstein provides shock absorbers and mounts and already has placement figured out, making installation a breeze. The 5160 Series has a unique, multi-layer coating with a zinc finish, which provides extreme protection from corrosion. Because Bilstein is the supplier to many OE manufacturers, the company's engineers know how to build products meant to last.
Bilstein
www.bilsteinus.com
  |   suspension Buyers Guide bilstein Shock Leveling Out
Coil spring spacers, such as these units from Ground Force Suspension Systems, are designed to raise the front suspension of Dodge trucks to make them ride evenly with the rear of the truck. The kit provides 2 inches of lift for the front suspension while avoiding any metal-to-metal contact. The levelers are made of steel and urethane (that's designed not to settle) to isolate vibrations while providing a strong mounting connection.
Ground Force Suspension Systems
(724) 430-2068 www.groundforce.com   |   suspension Buyers Guide ground Force Torsion Keys Coil spring spacers, such as these units from Ground Force Suspension Systems, are designed to raise the front suspension of Dodge trucks to make them ride evenly with the rear of the truck. The kit provides 2 inches of lift for the front suspension while avoiding any metal-to-metal contact. The levelers are made of steel and urethane (that's designed not to settle) to isolate vibrations while providing a strong mounting connection.
Ground Force Suspension Systems
(724) 430-2068 www.groundforce.com   |   suspension Buyers Guide coil Spring Spacers The SuperBLOK 3-in-1 rear leaf spring blocks are unlike anything else on the market, because they allow you to choose between three different lift heights. The modular spacers can be adjusted to give you the choice of a 1-, 1.5-, or 2-inch lift for your rear suspension. The kit comes with OEM-grade U-bolts and hardware, and the cast-iron blocks have nine interlocking points so they lock together securely at whichever height you want.
ProRYDE
(888) 813-7933 www.proryde.com   |   suspension Buyers Guide proryde Lift Block Helpful Additions
Traction bars, such as these EZ Ride models by Tuff Country, reduce rear wheelhop and axlewrap. Like those used by drag racers, these traction bars help ensure the rear wheels of your truck only move where they are supposed to-even for trucks with extreme levels of torque output. These traction bars have greaseable Heim joints that can be adjusted to fit on both stock-height or lifted trucks.
Tuff Country
(800) 288-2190 www.tuffcountry.com   |   suspension Buyers Guide tuff Country Traction Bars Big Wig sway bars by Hellwig are built to increase stability of lifted diesel trucks by more than 20 percent. The larger-than-stock diameter of the parts provides extra control for all trucks, especially those carrying a heavy load, such as a camper, or those towing a large trailer. The Big Wig sway bars are available for Dodge, Ford, and GM trucks and are backed with a lifetime warranty.
Hellwig Products
(800) 435-5944 www.hellwigproducts.com   |   suspension Buyers Guide big Wig Sway Bar Sway Bar End Links by BD Diesel Performance are built to replace the failure-prone factory parts found on '00 to '09 heavy-duty Dodge Rams. The upgrades use a dual-pivot design, which provides better articulation, meaning less stress to prevent excessive wear, breaking, or "pounding out." Long-life urethane bushings, along with stronger metal parts, allow for more movement and protection against the elements to keep your Ram moving straight down the road.
BD Diesel Performance
(800) 887-5030 www.dieselperformance.com   |   suspension Buyers Guide bd Diesel Sway Bar End Link The Torklift Quick Disconnect StableLoad system puts the overload leaf springs to work sooner than normal. The system can be disengaged by turning the spacers so they're not in between the overload spring and the rest of the leaf pack. This unique system is designed to improve the handling and ride quality whether the truck is empty, carrying a heavy load, or even towing a trailer with a lot of tongue weight.
Torklift International
(800) 246-8132 www.torklift.com   |   suspension Buyers Guide torklift Stable Load Just, "let BOB do it," is the 4x4 Plus solution to Dodge steering issues. BOB stands for the Big O Bushin, which is designed to eliminate wandering within the track bar by replacing the factory parts, which can cause the track bar hole to become "egg-shaped." The larger-diameter bushing washer uses CNC'd parts to keep the bushing seated and make your truck drive like new again. Not the most glamorous item in our diesel truck suspension buyer's guide but definitely a useful part! 4x4 Plus
(208) 623-2393 www.4x4plus.com   |   suspension Buyers Guide bob Bushing