Lifts and Handling

Chilicat · 05-15-2004, 07:07 PM

I freely admit I'm not an off-road guru. I buy a truck every 2-3 years, get the goods from the factory, and never do mods. Somehow this Titan has me feeling like doing a suspension or engine mod or two.

My question: do these lift kits change the handling characteristics? I do 95% of my driving on road and like to corner hard. Won't raising my center of gravity compromise my cornering?

Sammy Sandbag · 05-15-2004, 07:28 PM

There's way too many variables to give you a straight answer to your question. Depends on the type of lift, height, wheel/tire combo, shocks, etc. No it won't handle exactly like stock, but I wouldn't say it would be a mess on the streets. I'll leave the rest up to the guys who have already done lifts on their trucks.

MaxPowers · 05-16-2004, 12:34 AM

It's not as smooth as the ride when it is stock. The suspension seems to bit just a little stiffer.

Sammy Sandbag · 05-16-2004, 10:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MaxPowers

It's not as smooth as the ride when it is stock. The suspension seems to bit just a little stiffer.

That's with the DayStar correct? The CST lift uses the factory original springs up front, so it shouldn't make it anymore stiff. This is why I'm waiting on lift spindles, they retain the same suspension qualities of the factory set up.

TrojanDan · 05-25-2004, 11:33 PM

I test drove a KC LE Titan w/8" CST lift last Friday. It was friggin great. I don't own a Titan so I don't know exactly how it drives, but I had test driven 2 Titans before that one. It didn't seem to lose much if any accelleration, and the handling was great. That's a pretty big lift, and to not have any large noticable effect. It's an impressive machine, and a quality lift. You won't notice that much of a diff, especially if you add some aftermarket power enhancers.

bestatchess · 05-26-2004, 07:25 AM

"My question: do these lift kits change the handling characteristics?"

Yes, as dictated by the laws of physics.

"I do 95% of my driving on road and like to corner hard. Won't raising my center of gravity compromise my cornering?"

Yes, but it they make all the parts stiff enough, you won't notice until it flips.

Sammy Sandbag · 05-26-2004, 07:28 AM

Quote:

Yes, but it they make all the parts stiff enough, you won't notice until it flips.

I call that an increase in the fun factor. I mean you gotta get your money's worth out of the Oh Sh*t Handles.

PHOEBISIS · 05-26-2004, 02:37 PM

If you like to corner hard,why don't you drop it a bit in back.Soon drop shackles($60) will be out to let you drop the back 2" to even it up with the front.?It would still corner as well,and it will have a slightly custom look.2" in back will barely reduce it's ground clearance.Lifting it will definitely hurt the street handling(especially for someone who corners hard.Luck,Charlie

pciley · 05-27-2004, 05:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PHOEBISIS

If you like to corner hard,why don't you drop it a bit in back.Soon drop shackles($60) will be out to let you drop the back 2" to even it up with the front.?It would still corner as well,and it will have a slightly custom look.2" in back will barely reduce it's ground clearance.Lifting it will definitely hurt the street handling(especially for someone who corners hard.Luck,Charlie

Then when you put your load in the bed it will ride lower in the rear than the front and will look worse IMO. It's so hard to find a happy medium between riding stinkbug (factory 2-3" higher in rear) and riding like you have airbags dumped in the rear when you are carrying 400 lbs or more.

I'm sure if you go with the 8"CST lift which handles frickin AWESOME for an 8" lift, then when you add the wider wheels/tires combo, your CG being higher will almost cancel with the wheelbase being wider and probably will have about the same stability. I wouldn't go whipping around turns too fast in any pickup truck, they aren't made for it and most don't have independent rear suspension. OOOOOH, another idea the for the '05 Titan.. independent rear suspension. (wont happen)

**goathead** · 05-27-2004, 07:51 PM

Quote:

I wouldn't go whipping around turns too fast in any pickup truck, they aren't made for it and most don't have independent rear suspension. OOOOOH, another idea the for the '05 Titan.. independent rear suspension. (wont happen)

yeah they decided against the IRS b/c of cargo capacity and cost. if i wanted and IRS id get an armada.

steve

TrojanDan · 05-28-2004, 12:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pciley

Then when you put your load in the bed it will ride lower in the rear than the front and will look worse IMO. It's so hard to find a happy medium between riding stinkbug (factory 2-3" higher in rear) and riding like you have airbags dumped in the rear when you are carrying 400 lbs or more.

I'm sure if you go with the 8"CST lift which handles frickin AWESOME for an 8" lift, then when you add the wider wheels/tires combo, your CG being higher will almost cancel with the wheelbase being wider and probably will have about the same stability. I wouldn't go whipping around turns too fast in any pickup truck, they aren't made for it and most don't have independent rear suspension. OOOOOH, another idea the for the '05 Titan.. independent rear suspension. (wont happen)

I agree dude, it looks horrible when you drop the *** end. I also agree, it handles friggin great for such a tall lift, and it has (partially) to do with the wider tires and wheel base. But I don't agree about the IRS dude, that would be horrible. So weak back there for carrying a load, haulin and offroadin. Lift kits would be a lot more expensive than they already are as well! I hope they keep the rear leaf springs always - kinda isn't a truck anymore if you lose those.

pciley · 05-29-2004, 12:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TrojanDan

I agree dude, it looks horrible when you drop the *** end. I also agree, it handles friggin great for such a tall lift, and it has (partially) to do with the wider tires and wheel base. But I don't agree about the IRS dude, that would be horrible. So weak back there for carrying a load, haulin and offroadin. Lift kits would be a lot more expensive than they already are as well! I hope they keep the rear leaf springs always - kinda isn't a truck anymore if you lose those.

ahh, I'm not even talking about load carrying with IRS. I just like watching the BAJA and SCORE races with all the trophy trucks having completely independent drive shafts there. It is a joke on production pickups though, its so expensive to add, even to a sand rail.

Sammy Sandbag · 05-29-2004, 01:49 PM

Most of the BAJA trucks I've seen still have a solid rear axle. It's just too difficult and expensive to make an IRS that will hold up to the towing requirements of a truck. I'd rather not have it, much more parts to break. Standard CV joints just aren't up to the task. Not to mention that lift kits would be far more expensive. If I had my way, the Titan would be solid front axle as well.

TrojanDan · 05-30-2004, 02:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sammy sandbag

If I had my way, the Titan would be solid front axle as well.

I'm with you on that bro. I asked the question on one of the other threads talkin about Nissan comin out w/a Diesel 1 ton Titan, if they had plans for a 3/4 ton Titan as well. If so, that would almost positively have a SFA. I would shoot for than one in a second, but I highly doubt there's any chance of that in the near future.

Sammy Sandbag · 05-30-2004, 02:25 PM

Well Dodge and Ford are both serving SFA's in there 3/4-1 tons. GMC still has the IFS on all their trucks. I'm somewhat dissapointed that Dodge went to IFS on it's 1/2 ton 4WDs.