I probably should have started this years ago, but late is better than never.
Here’s the truck stock, a month after picking up the GFC. The trip back from Montana convinced me the rear springs couldn’t handle the weight (it was porpoising pretty bad across I-94).
I decided on Bilstein 6112 at 2” on the front and 5100 on the rear (they’re +1” over stock). Tried to install Tuftruck 1211 as well, but they’re shorter than stock and the installer was worried they would fall out. So here’s the truck with a 2” level in the front and stock rear springs:
I ordered the Icon 1.5” lift progressive springs as a replacement. I was quite happy with out these levelled out the truck, but there was always a clank when hitting speed bumps and such - the truck rode at basically the end of the progressive travel, so any bump would compress the springs into each other. I liked that the level made it easier to park with the front end raised enough for water to run off the back. This is setup had the rear wheel well sitting at about 38.5” off the ground.
Reading the build thread from @Dignon convinced me to try the Ironman 4x4 2” springs. I went with the 600-1100 lb version… which I’m thinking was a mistake. This pic is basically fully loaded (full gas, all my camping equipment in the back) and after driving for 25km or so… the rear wheel well is sitting about 41.5” off the ground and I’ve got a good deal of rake. I’m not in love with it right now.
Yikes, that’s wild I have the same springs and I’m level; but I can adjust the pre-load on my Fox 2.0’s to match. How much weight do you have in the back? I have a full build out that is about 400lbs, plus the camper. So maybe that’s the difference.
You should put the Ironman 2” lift spring in the front and maybe that’s will level it out. LOL
This is #439. I drove from Ontario, Canada to Belgrade Montana in Dec. 2019 to pick it up. It was a quick rip there and back, so I didn’t have much time for sight-seeing, but did stop by Mount Rushmore.
The trip back across I-94 was sketchy as hell… something about the concrete roadbed with regular expansion joints, the extra weight and the stock springs had me bouncing down the road like I was on a roller coaster. That prompted the shock/spring upgrade cycle mentioned above.
I’m probably around 600-700 lbs with the camper, so the low end for the springs. I may order the medium duty and see what happens. Looks like their free length is 2” shorter. I think I’m going to pull out the heavy duty ones tomorrow and stick with the Icon’s for my trip.
First trip was to Algonquin Provincial park in Feb. 2020. It was about -5 C. The only open campsites were RV sites with power, so I took along an electric radiator and a winter sleeping bag. I basically tossed everything I thought I might need and took off.
I picked up beef bars with the solar panel mounts, as well as Yakima mounts when I was in Belgrade picking up the camper. I added a 100 W Renogy solar panel to charge my battery box.
The battery box contains a 50 Ah Bioenno Power LiFePO4 battery and a West Mountain Radio EpicPWR Gate controller. It manages both DC and Solar inputs, charging the battery or acting as a UPS switching between DC and Battery for connected loads. I was going to connect it to the truck battery for charging while driving, but really never got around to it. The solar panel will keep the battery charged all summer while running the fridge 24/7… so I never saw the need.
Everyone needs a GFC parts bin. I ordered stainless bolts to replace all of the stock ones installed - those started rusting almost immediately (it there is one thing Ontario MTO knows how to do, it’s lay down road salt).
