Duff long arm install on 2.5" lift - any concerns?

[12-Pack Jeff]

I finally pulled the trigger on Duff Long arms. You know, so I can hang out with the cool kids again. (Now I just need 40's)

Reading through the instructions it says "This kit will not work on vehicles with less than 3.5" suspension lift" I assume that's a C.Y.A. statement to avoid a flood of questions when installing on a vehicle with less lift.

I looked through older posts on CB on the topic, many said "I installed it on 2.5 and it works fine" but they were mostly if not all from mall crawlers. The only concern seemed to be the degree bushings for the caster - but there were no negative responses.

Only negative I can come up with, aside from caster adjustment is limited up travel. Is there anything else I'm missing?

I'm not sure if I've got 2.5 or 3.5 coils, they're probably 15-20 years old and the part number is long gone so I'm left with guessing and trying to prepare for possible next moves.

Two last questions -

Do you guys limit strap your front axle w/ long arms? If so, how did you mount them?

I got a killer deal on some beefy custom made bump stops - any good suggestions where to mount them on a stock D44 w/ Long Arms?
If anyone wants a set of bumps let me know, I can put you in touch with my friend.

 

[ntsqd]

The shape of the frame is going to limit the up travel to the same position regardless of lift. Unless you do something wild and crazy anyway.

At first I thought that it might be that the Caster can't be set right at a lower lift, but after looking at the page on them I'm not sure.

What does Duffs have to say about it? I'd call them and ask.

You might be due for some new coils....... I'm jest sayin', is all......

 

[CBNFPRT]

I’m too on a 2.5” lift and nabbed the long arms in my forever quest to future proof the rig. I’ve scrubbed through the CB forums and saw a few posts with people with same lift who wheeled with them and drive street afterward and they claim it was a great upgrade across the board. I went with 2 degree c bushings. Website says 2.5” lift minimal, but 3.5”+ recommended for hardcore use…. Mine are still in their boxes on the floor.

 

[Dusty]

How much additional caster do the Duff long arms come with, built in? I run WCB long arms with stock (0 degree?) bushings with a 2.5" lift. But I don't know how much, if any, additional caster WCB built into their arms.

To the original question though, just put it all together and see where you need to clearance, if at all. It might even "clearance itself"

 

[CBNFPRT]

IIRC it’s 4 degrees built in. They recommend 4 degrees for 3.5 lift so I went with 2. Currently I have 4 degree bushings on the stock arms. After I wear out the 35’s, I’m wanting to go to 37’s so hopefully this future proofing will all pan out with minor trimming and keeping me at 2.5” lift with 2” body.

Was planning to install them for this years bash, but after the tranny fiasco in the ‘57 F100 last month, wrenching motivation is a bitch…

 

[Dusty]

We're running 37's with 2.5" lift and 1" body lift and full width axles with high offset wheels (tucks them back inward a bit). Front inner fenders are gone, so no rubbing there. Rear inner fender pinch welds have been cut and ground as much as possible without punching through the tub. Still get some rub on the rear at extreme articulation but nothing too bad.

 

[Mark]

The limiting factor is the amount of uptravel. The top of the long arms will contact the bottom of the frame about 6” from the heim. Running a different frame bracket that locates the heim further from the frame would help. This would be for running less than 3.5” of lift.

 

[12-Pack Jeff]

They sent me 2 degree bushings with my long arms. I've only driven it about 5 miles since getting it together, have a few small items to button up first. Seems ok so far, maybe wanders a bit.

 

[Mark]

2° bushings set my caster at 5.5°. I went to 4° bushings and I didn’t notice much difference. Camber is +.25°. I set my toe-in at 0.

 

[12-Pack Jeff]

2° bushings set my caster at 5.5°. I went to 4° bushings and I didn’t notice much difference. Camber is +.25°. I set my toe-in at 0.

You measure stuff? Man.. no wonder you're the King.