Full Diesel Lift Kit 3-4" Overland Options

[jnack]

So I was really hoping that @Clayton Off Road would be out with their 3.5" Overland Plus kit with Diesel Specific Springs by now but no luck there.

Looking for advice for other options for lifts in the 3-4" range. I think 4.5" would probably be more than I'd need as I only plan to run 37" tires, but could be convinced otherwise. I also have the Rubicon so have more room in fender well.

This will be primarily for an Overland build but I would like to hit more hardcore trails than I was able to do in my previous truck (3" lifted Tacoma). No extreme rock crawling, but plan to do the Rubicon trail and hit some exciting stuff in Moab next time I'm out there.

Conditions:

- cost of lift before shocks < $3.5k (no coilover conversion)
- limited to no maintenance required
- durability and reliability > performance
- MUST be able to fit 37" spare under bed
- excellent customer service/support

I have already reached out to @Rock Krawler Suspension -- unfortunately their diesel specific kit cannot fit a 37" spare without rubbing on the rear track bar.

P.S. I'm not interested in < 3" lift kits as my main concern with the lift is improving breakover angle and since this is an overland build the vehicle will be weighed down a fair bit in full expedition mode. I also occasionally travel with 4 adults total and a truck loaded out with gear so when aired down and fully loaded, I'm thinking a 2-2.5" won't be sufficient.

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[ThunderSword]

So I was really hoping that @Clayton Off Road would be out with their 3.5" Overland Plus kit with Diesel Specific Springs by now but no luck there.

Looking for advice for other options for lifts in the 3-4" range. I think 4.5" would probably be more than I'd need as I only plan to run 37" tires, but could be convinced otherwise. I also have the Rubicon so have more room in fender well.

This will be primarily for an Overland build but I would like to hit more hardcore trails than I was able to do in my previous truck (3" lifted Tacoma). No extreme rock crawling, but plan to do the Rubicon trail and hit some exciting stuff in Moab next time I'm out there.

Conditions:

- cost of lift before shocks < $3.5k (no coilover conversion)
- limited to no maintenance required
- durability and reliability > performance
- MUST be able to fit 37" spare under bed
- excellent customer service/support

I have already reached out to @Rock Krawler Suspension -- unfortunately their diesel specific kit cannot fit a 37" spare without rubbing on the rear track bar.

P.S. I'm not interested in < 3" lift kits as my main concern with the lift is improving breakover angle and since this is an overland build the vehicle will be weighed down a fair bit in full expedition mode. I also occasionally travel with 4 adults total and a truck loaded out with gear so when aired down and fully loaded, I'm thinking a 2-2.5" won't be sufficient.

I asked Clayton about this as im doing basically the same thing. They said there kit is fine for the diesel since the extra weight is evenly distributed. What shocks were you gonna use?

 

[Chance575]

I have a evo kit for the diesel sitting on my shop floor. It’s their 4.5 enforcer kit stage 4. Unfortunately my wheels are back ordered and I’m waiting on 37” Mickey Thompson tires too.

 

[bigjmain]

You can use the Clayton rear track bar that has a bend in it and run any kit you want. Clayton or Rustys is the way to go with linear in the from for over landing. The triple rate springs like rock crawler and metal cloak are prone to sag under heavy truck use.

 

[jnack]

I asked Clayton about this as im doing basically the same thing. They said there kit is fine for the diesel since the extra weight is evenly distributed. What shocks were you gonna use?

planning on running falcon 3.3 —I agree the clayton would be “fine” but the springs in front are designed for the gas and they are working on developing a diesel specific front spring for their kit

 

[jnack]

You can use the Clayton rear track bar that has a bend in it and run any kit you want. Clayton or Rustys is the way to go with linear in the from for over landing. The triple rate springs like rock crawler and metal cloak are prone to sag under heavy truck use.

i wonder if that will still work with kits that use a rear track bar relocation bracket. My understanding is that relocation of track bar higher is important to help reduce excessive body roll. ie. Rock krawler uses it in their diesel kit and terraflex sells one

any idea what the Terraflex springs are? I’m intrigued by their upcoming RT3 3.5” kit

 

[jnack]

I have a evo kit for the diesel sitting on my shop floor. It’s their 4.5 enforcer kit stage 4. Unfortunately my wheels are back ordered and I’m waiting on 37” Mickey Thompson tires too.

Any reason you settled on the Evo kit? Which shocks are you pairing with? Do you know if you can fit a 37” spare with their kit?

 

[ThunderSword]

planning on running falcon 3.3 —I agree the clayton would be “fine” but the springs in front are designed for the gas and they are working on developing a diesel specific front spring for their kit

Thats what i was thinking till i saw the wait time on the 3.3. Currently 3-5 months.

 

[jnack]

Thats what i was thinking till i saw the wait time on the 3.3. Currently 3-5 months.

What are you going with instead?

 

[ThunderSword]

What are you going with instead?

I dont know yet, thats why I asked you haha.

 

[jnack]

I dont know yet, thats why I asked you haha.

I ran king 2.5 with adjusters when I had a Tacoma and they were awesome but I heard the lead time for kings is just as bad if not worse. Personally if I had the cash I’d go Fox with adjusters.

Honestly if the falcon 3.3 are going to be delayed I may just put a spacer lift on as a temporary solution….

 

[ThunderSword]

I ran king 2.5 with adjusters when I had a Tacoma and they were awesome but I heard the lead time for kings is just as bad if not worse. Personally if I had the cash I’d go Fox with adjusters.

Honestly if the falcon 3.3 are going to be delayed I may just put a spacer lift on as a temporary solution….

I had 2.5 kings with a carli pintop on my f250 diesel and they were to stiff for everyday driving and trail. Great for high speeds on the dunes though. The fox looks nice, but man that price for all four. Ouch

 

[Chance575]

I wanted a 4” or more kit and it’s t he only one I could find for the diesel. I went with bilstein 5100 which come with the kit. I don’t see a purpose to purchase several thousands of dollars in shocks. And I have no idea about the spare tire, if I have to bend the rear track bar to make clearance I have access to a tubing bender.

 

[jnack]

I wanted a 4” or more kit and it’s t he only one I could find for the diesel. I went with bilstein 5100 which come with the kit. I don’t see a purpose to purchase several thousands of dollars in shocks. And I have no idea about the spare tire, if I have to bend the rear track bar to make clearance I have access to a tubing bender.

which 4” kit? And the rationale for more expensive shocks is better ride and they're rebuildable, vs cheaper shocks which don't ride as well and can only be replaced at the end of their life

 

[CrazyCooter]

A lot of this really depends on your driving style (speed) and terrain....

Right now I'm on 4" Evo JK spec front coils (2" net lift with diesel, winch, and OEM steel bumper), Metal Cloak Durospring Bumps which are 1" taller to stop tire/fender interference combined with rear .75" spacers with a .5" bump spacer, Airlift air bags and Fox 2.5 Elites all the way around. 37" Cooper STT Pros and Method 313 wheels with 0/4.75" offset/BS

I just finished the Nevada BDR trail with a bed of gear and towing a Tentrax trailer. I can say the only thing I would like is another 1" lift F/R to increase the bump travel and I do have Fox Airbumps on the shelf ready to install when time allows. I added 2 clicks low speed to the rear shocks right away for the street, then added 2 more clicks to the front low speed, and then one more click high speed to find the sweet spot........I backed them all to the street settings after I got home/unloaded since things were too firm. Thinking I would like a bit more rebound damping F/R, but will hold off till I get my actual lift kit......(Looking to Metal Cloak at this time).

This is not my hardcore trail rig, but it does double duty as a towing/daily driving and then some desert/trail fun.

If you are going to do crazy stuff, then I would guess more lift would be needed to keep the rear bumper off the rocks?

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