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Lifts and Sled Decks

P

Packer

Free Member
Got a quick question wondering what your thoughts would be.

I have an 2003 Duramax 2500 Crew Cab short box. Put in a 6" lift this summer with 20" tires. Just wondering how you think that would be with a sled deck on it and sleds. How do you think that would work? Do you think it would be a little on the high side and be top heavy when loaded?

Driving from Minnesota to Montana. Pretty much only have 2 of us now so I am thinking of getting a deck instead of using the trailer.

Packer
 
Ben there, done that! On a short bed you will want to get a set of air bags. Make sure to have the right psi in the rear tires when loaded due to the 20" wheel pakage. I,m guessing you have 35".
 
I have 6" lift in my shortbox gm and use 8 foot ramp no problem! climbing up to gas up is the pain
 
I don't remember, but I have either LT275/65R20 or LT295/60R20 Nitto Terra Grappler tires. They are Load range E tires, that I do know. These sizes come out to about 34" - 34.5" wheels. I feel really confident the tires will be able to handle the load and not having a .

It is a full suspension lift, not a body lift. Not sure if that matters, but I thought I should mention.

Just sitting there parked, I think the truck will be able to handle the load. Once it gets moving I am a little concerned. Wondering how you think the truck will handle going down the road, cross winds, curves, ect....

You thinking I should get bags cause the truck wont be able to carry the load, or to help stiffen it up to keep from swaying back and forth?

I am sure loading the sleds will be a treat.
 
Full Lotus sled decks

Packer

6" lift is not a problem with sleds on it. Airbags could be a thought it just depends how stiff your current suspension is. Sometimes with lift kits the suspension stiffeness changes, either firmer or softer. Regardless a set of bags won't hurt anything.

A large portion of trucks that we put our decks on are on lifted trucks. Our shop truck has a 6" lift on it and there is no problem at all. We also have used one with an 8" lift for one season and it worked awesome as well.

Thanks

FLM Staff
www.full-lotus.com
info@full-lotus.com

Picture 1275.jpg
 
Deck on lift

What are your thoughts on a 12" lift on 40" tires and Fox shocks all around? Would that height on those tires be an issue for sled deck applications?
 
lift...

I have ran a deck on a 3/4 ton and half ton with bags....both with lifts the 1/2 with 6" the 3/4 with eight....Both worked well and had long boxes, probably didnt have to have the bags on a long box as the weight is a little in front of the tires whereas on your application it is directly over the tires...idk just my two sense the bags are cheap and easy to install, or you could put 3/4 ton springs under the rear end, or just use it, but the truck will sag quite a bit. as for loading 8" obviously poses a little bit more of a challenge on 38's but any of the reputable companies will build a longer ramp for u if that is an issue. or just pin it:-) i know its just my two cents hope it helps...as for handling yes ur truck is a little bit top heavy and will catch more wind but given usual driving conditions you will be just fine...
 
got an 08 dodge with a six inch lift and 37s and it rides fine with a deck. the crosswinds are noticable, as well as sharp turns, but nothing is out of control, except getting down from gassing the sleds haha
 
You can run that thing no problem but airbags wouldn't be a bad idea!


We run a 02 Ford Superduty with a 10" lift and 37's on it. It is a crewcab shortbox so the sleddeck is even cut off a little short to be even with the back of the truck. We do have airbags but they were put in for the fact we have a 36 ft tag trailer we pull with the truck as well. I will run about 40 psi in the bags if only using the sleddeck. Even a short track 121" will hang off the back of it about 8" and a long track (09 assault 146") will nearly be at the point of where it may like to come off on you but all we do it run a strap from the front bumper to the front of the sleddeck and have never had an issue or worried about it coming off.

As for the ramp to get in our ramp is a telescoping ramp thats 10ft total and it is steep but its really not that bad to go up.

Hope this helps
 
I think a sway bar would help more then air bags. What did you use to lift the rear of the truck? If it's a block in the rear just do sway bar, but if you have some aftermarket lift leafs, bags and sway bars would be the only way I roll.
 
i had an f350 superduty on 37's with no problems with the deck on. never put air bags on it so i can't help ya on that one, but i would think you would be fine, except mine was a long bed, so i could see where bags for a short box would be kinda nice.
 
Lotus is solid!!~

We run the Lotus deck here and have had a deck on several style short and long and height of 4x4's.- We found that the air bags help in the sway department but thats about it. On a stock 3/4 ton the bags help with the sag-
lifted trucks 4" to 12" the bags do assist, and ya got to get used to the steep angle of the ramp 4 sure.:eek:
Also we have used the Lotis on ATV's and ATP's with the lifts and these quads weigh consiberally more than a 500 pound sled..and the bags do help in the sway department.....

MD
Full Lotus Mfg said:
Packer

6" lift is not a problem with sleds on it. Airbags could be a thought it just depends how stiff your current suspension is. Sometimes with lift kits the suspension stiffeness changes, either firmer or softer. Regardless a set of bags won't hurt anything.

A large portion of trucks that we put our decks on are on lifted trucks. Our shop truck has a 6" lift on it and there is no problem at all. We also have used one with an 8" lift for one season and it worked awesome as well.

Thanks

FLM Staff
www.full-lotus.com
info@full-lotus.com
Click to expand...
 
Superdutytd said:
Does anyone have any pics of a 162" sled on the back of a shortbed with a sleddeck?
Click to expand...

Here's the best picture i've got of my old KK 162", box is 6'4", 8' ft deck. The deck was lengthened if you look close, you can see were it would be if it was the regular 7'. My new RT1000 162" is a lot worse for some reason, I wouldn't dare put it on any deck shorter then 8'.

I have 6" lift and 35" tires on my Dodge 3500. I am going to modify my timbrens to keep the sag down. Steering, etc is for sure lighter, as my lift makes my truck level unloaded, and when the rear is lower it changes handling. 10ft ramp is easy to load. I can stop on the ramp with no issues slowly climbing on the deck. You'll feel the wind more then a 2 place trailer for sure, but nothing major.




IMG_0099.jpg
 
I need to try and find a picture of my 04 SB CC Duramax w Fabtech 6" 20" wheels and 35" tires loaded with my 174" M on the back. It sticks a good 5' past the rear bumper, but never once did I feel the need for airbags on the 2500 HD
 
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