Help/opinions with truck makeover

[gamudslinger88]

Ok ladies and gents, with the new Power plant and trans going in soon I want to revamp my truck to accommodate it's soon new found power. I am unsure of the correct forum to post this so I'll leave it here seeing the trucks intended use.

I will be going from this




To more along the lines of this


It will be a street truck with the occasional run at the strip. I'm ditching the heavy bumpers for a factory painted front and a roll pan back. I'll loose the toolbox and soft cover the bed. Also relocate both batteries to the bed to clean up the engine bay and distribute weight. I'll remove the cognito uca and lift keys in favor of factory ride hight. Remove 2 springs from rear and keep air bags because I do occasionally tow. I'll install my traction bars as well. I'll ditch the 35s in favor of 32-33ish tires.

Questions are

What front end upgrades do yall recomend? I know tie rods but sleeves or complete aftermarket tie rods? Track bars, ect?

What tires seem to do well for tread life and traction? I come from the MT side so any help would be great. I'll possibly be keeping the H2 wheels for now and later going to a 20"

Anything else I may be missing besides the money in my wallet?

 

[Cakes]

Nice!

I did Fabtech's when my truck was leveled and their still doing fine. I've heard from a few that they aren't the best to use on lowered-ish trucks though. Mine sits with the CV's level and that's about it really.

This is kinda of a "to each his own" type thing but I only removed the overloads and thoroughly enjoy how the truck rides. Using the KYB MonoMax HD shocks in the rear and small Rancho 9K's in the front. Actually whats in my sig, is whats on the truck now.

 

[Awenta]

Consider a straight centerlink?

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[NinjaMax]

Consider a straight centerlink?

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^^ this:thumb:

 

[Big Block 88]

I use cognito hd tie rods and have always liked them. Not sure if they are still made though.

Braces work but a straight center link is the way to go

 

[gamudslinger88]

So stupid question, the straight center link that's labeled race only does that replace the tie rods and track bar?

 

[Cakes]

So stupid question, the straight center link that's labeled race only does that replace the tie rods and track bar?

It just replaces the OEM center link that, well basically isn't straight. Instead of having two corners on both ends.

 

[gamudslinger88]

Ok That's what I thought. so I guess next question is what's the difference between the straight "race only " and the heavy duty center links aside from the obvious one being straight and stronger lol. Any special setup needed for the straight?

 

[JoshH]

I would recommend the kryptonite steering kit from the dmax store instead of a regular straight centerlink.

 

[NinjaMax]

Here's a comparison from when I did the kryptonite stg 3, its pretty beefy stuff

 

[JeremyDon88]

I have the kryptonite stage 3 front end and love it!! Keeps my truck launching straight n clean and it's def beefy as hell. Lol

 

[Dukcaln]

Another vote for Kryptonite:thumb:

 

[gamudslinger88]

What about tire choices? Any input on that? I know a set of slicks for the track would be best but I'll need a good set of tires with good street manners.

 

[JoshH]

I've been running Nitto Terra Grappler tires on my truck for about the past 3 years. The first set I ran made it over 45,000 miles before I swapped them out, and the current set seems to be doing just as well as the first. I run a size 285/55R20 which is right at 32" tall. They aren't too noisy, and I think they look pretty good. They have a new generation out now, Terra Grappler G2, that is supposed to be even quieter and wear better.

 

[gamudslinger88]

That's the ones I have been looking at. Thanks.

 

[gamudslinger88]

Anyone have an idea on the size of tire in the picture I posted? I wanna say something around 32" is what I'm looking for but I have a feeling that may be too tall.

 

[JoshH]

Anyone have an idea on the size of tire in the picture I posted? I wanna say something around 32" is what I'm looking for but I have a feeling that may be too tall.

I'm assuming you're asking about the last picture you posted in your original post? They look a little smaller than 32", but I can tell you a 32" tire will fit on a lowered truck as long you you don't run a lot of negative offset.

 

[gamudslinger88]

Yeah the last picture. All the wheels I'm looking at are 20x9 with 0 offset.

 

[NC-smokinlmm]

I would recommend the kryptonite steering kit from the dmax store instead of a regular straight centerlink.

Yep...

With the straight center link you willl loose turning radius. No good for a street truck...

 

[NinjaMax]

Yep...

With the straight center link you willl loose turning radius. No good for a street truck...

X2, my truck is kinda annoying in a tight parking lot..I'm always parked in the back 40. Your radius will be effected quite a bit. To me its worth it, but some its not.