DavesTractor
Tremor Fanatic
- Joined
- Jun 9, 2021
- Messages
- 100
- Reaction Points
- 303
- Location
- Red Bluff, CA
- Current Ride
- 2021 Tremor 6.7, 2019 Raptor, Supercharged JKU Rubicon
I tow often delivering tractors. The trailers I use and the weights I carry can vary significantly. I don't like the truck to squat much. So I ordered up the Airlift 5000 Ultimate plus. Then I customized the lower mount to meet my goal of not losing any up or down travel.
I don't really like the design of the lower mount that comes with this kit. It is really "busy" with several brackets, u-bolts, etc. I am sure it is strong and universal so as to fit different springs and block heights, but it seems like having a proper axle block with a bag perch is simpler, probably stronger, and way fewer fasteners and such. But even if I ignored how the included lower mount is designed and attaches, it mounts quite high (about level with the bottom of the spring pack I believe) and I would give up a good 2" of up travel. You only have about 4" of up travel to begin with before your bump stop touches. To not limit down travel means using Daystar cradles. They are 3/4" thick. If I were to mount them on the lower mounts provided, my up travel would be further compromised.
The factory blocks on my 2021 F250 Tremor with the heavy tow package are 3-1/8" as measured in the center (they are tapered). My goal was to retain the factory height. I ordered a pair of PMF 2.5" fabricated blocks and then added a piece of 3/4" plate steel below the block that becomes my lower bag perch, giving me about 3-1/4" of block. Close enough to stock.
I fabbed up the perch out of 3/4" MDF to get the shape, then burned that shape out of 3/4" plate. My plasma is an old-school optical follower and really doesn't like to burn through much more than 1/2", so my cuts aren't great - but they work. I had to modify the PMF block a little, but that was a lot easier than making one from scratch. My 3/4" perch clamps between the axle and the PMF block. I drilled it and put a pin in to locate the axle. After test fitting, I realized that I wanted my cradle 1/4" higher, so I burned a piece of 1/4" plate to raise it a little.
After making this up on the fly, I can see how a real-deal fab shop could do a much cleaner job. But I think this will work well, be very strong and will not impede up or down travel. I am waiting for my compressor/controller to arrive, so I have not yet tested this.
I should mention that the upper mount is awesome. 15 minutes max to install and well designed in my opinion.
I don't really like the design of the lower mount that comes with this kit. It is really "busy" with several brackets, u-bolts, etc. I am sure it is strong and universal so as to fit different springs and block heights, but it seems like having a proper axle block with a bag perch is simpler, probably stronger, and way fewer fasteners and such. But even if I ignored how the included lower mount is designed and attaches, it mounts quite high (about level with the bottom of the spring pack I believe) and I would give up a good 2" of up travel. You only have about 4" of up travel to begin with before your bump stop touches. To not limit down travel means using Daystar cradles. They are 3/4" thick. If I were to mount them on the lower mounts provided, my up travel would be further compromised.
The factory blocks on my 2021 F250 Tremor with the heavy tow package are 3-1/8" as measured in the center (they are tapered). My goal was to retain the factory height. I ordered a pair of PMF 2.5" fabricated blocks and then added a piece of 3/4" plate steel below the block that becomes my lower bag perch, giving me about 3-1/4" of block. Close enough to stock.
I fabbed up the perch out of 3/4" MDF to get the shape, then burned that shape out of 3/4" plate. My plasma is an old-school optical follower and really doesn't like to burn through much more than 1/2", so my cuts aren't great - but they work. I had to modify the PMF block a little, but that was a lot easier than making one from scratch. My 3/4" perch clamps between the axle and the PMF block. I drilled it and put a pin in to locate the axle. After test fitting, I realized that I wanted my cradle 1/4" higher, so I burned a piece of 1/4" plate to raise it a little.
After making this up on the fly, I can see how a real-deal fab shop could do a much cleaner job. But I think this will work well, be very strong and will not impede up or down travel. I am waiting for my compressor/controller to arrive, so I have not yet tested this.
I should mention that the upper mount is awesome. 15 minutes max to install and well designed in my opinion.