Truck 5 '06 Chevy 2500 HD 4X4

Similar to the truck 4 build, but a company and personal first build. This is a 9" long-travel Fabtech coil-over conversion kit. The truck is converted from a torsion bar style suspension, to a complete adjustable coil-over style long travel system. According to Fabtech, less than 100 of these kits have been sold to date. A truly unreal kit to install because the entire suspension is literally re-engineered from the ground up.

I took a few "before" pictures to try and show how a stock HD sits.

This kit was somewhat overwhelming due to the fact that it arrived on its own pallet, in about 14 boxes. It felt like Christmas as I ripped each apart box to discover the impressive front end components. Fully boxed lower control arms that seemed to weigh 40 pounds each, massive Dirt Logic 4.0 coil overs with coffee-can sized reservoirs, 1 inch thick replacement tie-rod ends, 3 inch extended replacement front axle shafts, the list goes on. This is the first kit of its kind that I and everyone at the shop, has seen yet. The front end took 3-4 days to build as I had to remove the welded upper shock pockets, bump stop brackets, and a arm pockets. Theres no way this truck will ever be returned to stock condition.

This picture shows the installed kit. The upper coil over hoop is bolted on using 1/2 hardware in 4 locations, and also bolts to the trucks motor mounts for added strength! Seems a little overboard, but ensures a rock-solid upper mount for the massive spring. Because this is a "long travel" system, a total of 4 limiting straps are provided to limit suspension droop if jumping occurs.

In the rear is a 9 inch lifted leaf spring by Atlas Springs, along with the Fabtech reservoir shocks. The customer also brought in a larger fuel tank which took a full day to install, NOT FUN. A facial full of diesel fuel is never fun. Another 3-4 hours for the Amp Research power steps added to the fun of this project. This customer occasionally uses his truck for towing his power boat, so asked for an airbag system to be installed in addition to the lift. The air bag system he bought is a self leveling system complete with air compressor, and all wiring. In a lifted application the usual air bag brackets will not work, which calls for custom fabrication. Fabrication of these brackets took a full day, and weren't as bad as i originally thought. Now, when the truck bed is loaded, or a trailer attached, the truck automatically levels itself. Trick, but expensive, and very time consuming to install.

Truck is sitting on 37x13.50x18 Toyo Open Country tires. Wheels are 18" Chrome RBP's. Build time is about 8 days. Expect to pay around $12,000 for this entire package installed.