2 Inch Lift on H2.

[OrangeCrush]

Tomp,

Thanks, I just happened to read your response.

Tomorrow I will unbolt the bottom of the shock. Just to make sure I understand, you want me to compress the shock so the bottom bolt hole in the shock goes higher than the bolt hole in the extension, correct?

I will do that tomorrow but I did notice that the spacing between the bump stop and control arm is about 1/4". Is that correct or no?

If I can not raise it higher than the shock extension bolt hole, can I buy longer H2 shocks?

Thanks for your help,

Mark

Originally Posted by tomp

Warning: the shock extensions I have seen are too tall for OEM length H2 shocks. To test this, ensure vehicle is on level ground at stock ehight in the front and resting on the bump stops, disconnect the bottom of the shock and see if you can push it up higher then where it would mount to the shock extension bracket. If you can't push it up where the shock's bolt hole goes up higher than the hole in the shock extension, you are either riding on a bottomed out shock if or slamming down on a bottomed out shock when the front end comes down on the bump stops. The latter is the case if you have cranked the TBs. This is true with all H2 shock extensions that I have seen to date. Yes, this is another mark against Truxx.

The reason this is a problem is because these companies assume the H2's shocks are the same as the 2500HD pickup trucks. The shocks are not the same and only have half of the travel that the 2500HDs have.

To correct this problem you must determine the proper amount to shorten the shock extension (to get your shocks into the right range of travel) or use the 2500HD shocks.

The reason the H2's have less travel is because they have extension and compression bump stops in them where the 2500HD shocks only have extension stops. This takes some of the travel away.

Here is the way you need to think about it: Consider the fact that you are pushing up the bottom of the shock much higher than you would be when at factory height and resting on the frame mounted stops.

If anyone doubts what I am saying here, call Rancho and ask them why their online Shock Specifications show H2's shocks with 2.5" of travel and the 2500HD has 4.6". You can also see in this same manual there is a symbol next to the H2's shocks in two places. This "cross" symbol is shown for both compressed length and extended length. This shock symbol is there to inform you of the included bump stops. Notice the 2500HD shocks only show the symbol once?

Also, for those of you thinking it is okay to rest on the stops - think again. Your shocks will start degrading very quicky as you are beating the heck out of them. I went through several sets of shocks and my ride quality went horrible fast - compared to a new vehicle. This was the cause of it!

BTW, my ride quality with torsion bars cranked is much better than stock now

[tomp]

Hey Mark...you really need to assume that the shock will also need to raise up beyond that 1/4" of space in addition to it raising up above the bolt hole in the shock extension. You also have to consider that bump stops compress when all the weight of your front end comes down hard on the stops. Please take that into consideration.

Yes, the Cognito-Bilstein shocks compress to that of the OEM shocks, plus they are longer for the needed droop required after cranking the TBs.

If the above testing proves that you are bottoming out the shocks, you can still use the shock extensions by switching to the shocks for a 2500HD which are the same extended length as the H2 OEM shock length, plus they compress shorter.

[OrangeCrush]

Man, I appreciate your input. Before I start all this, I'm looking into another lift kit. The reason is because by the time I buy control arms, new shocks, I'll have 1200-1400 bucks in it. If I'm spending that much because of a levelling kit, I'd just as well be better off buying a smaller suspension lift kit. Thoughts/opinions?

Like I said earlier, I didn't want to get a 6" kit simply because that will require taller tires, gears, etc, etc.

....unless of course, I can install a 6" and lower it a bit? Is that possible? I'm assuming that a 6" kit is with the torsion bars cranked up to a certain amount.... what if you didn't crank them that far? Is 6" the minimum you could go?

I talked to a dealer for Cognito and he said they made a 4" kit for the H2.

I looked it up and didn't see anything but did see a 4" kit for an HD2500. Are the front suspensions the same?

Thanks again,

Mark

Originally Posted by tomp

Hey Mark...you really need to assume that the shock will also need to raise up beyond that 1/4" of space in addition to it raising up above the bolt hole in the shock extension. You also have to consider that bump stops compress when all the weight of your front end comes down hard on the stops. Please take that into consideration.

Yes, the Cognito-Bilstein shocks compress to that of the OEM shocks, plus they are longer for the needed droop required after cranking the TBs.

If the above testing proves that you are bottoming out the shocks, you can still use the shock extensions by switching to the shocks for a 2500HD which are the same extended length as the H2 OEM shock length, plus they compress shorter.

[DuckTruck]

I bet the "4 inch kit" he is talking about is the 2-3" kit we are speaking of.

Other option would be to run the Rancho, which is a 4" lift you can crank to 6"......but the difference between these two is about a grand PLUS installation (which will be large for the Rancho).

DUCK

[OrangeCrush]

Just out of curiousity, does anyone know anything about the Rancho suspension? I swear I read that they had a bump steer problem.

Anyone know?

Thanks,

Mark

[Bimmer9938]

The Rancho looks like a nice kit, there was a guy on the forum with a green H2 who had it.

[Bimmer9938]

Just out of curiousity, does anyone know anything about the Rancho suspension? I swear I read that they had a bump steer problem.

Anyone know?

Thanks,

Mark

Mark, you already want to go bigger?? LOL.

[timgco]

Originally Posted by Bimmer9938

The Rancho looks like a nice kit, there was a guy on the forum with a green H2 who had it.

That was me.
http://www.elcovaforums.com/forums/s...ad.php?t=22707

RuggedH2 now has that truck and improved on the kit as well. He'll have to comment on what he changed up.

I can tell you that this kit is expensive though. The kit is listed as a 4", but did add 6" without the additional height of the tires. You cannot use the stock rims either.

The only things I did not like about the kit:

Teh Tbars do hang down below the frame...but with the added height
isn't too big of an issue.

The kit is not reversible. You're not going back to stock...ever...well at least without welding.

the rear drop brackets (I think Rugged addressed this though) did hang down quite a bit.

As far as ride quailty and highway speeds, that kit handled great. But with adding this kit, ther are other things to consider: steering stabilizer, idler/pitman support, Hd Tierods are all not included in this kit and added to better handling too. I did not add the support kit on that one though.

[tomp]

Mark, all you need to do is take verify the shock extension brackets are not too tall. They most likely are too tall and if they are, they can be easily modified.

Originally Posted by OrangeCrush

Man, I appreciate your input. Before I start all this, I'm looking into another lift kit. The reason is because by the time I buy control arms, new shocks, I'll have 1200-1400 bucks in it. If I'm spending that much because of a levelling kit, I'd just as well be better off buying a smaller suspension lift kit. Thoughts/opinions?

Like I said earlier, I didn't want to get a 6" kit simply because that will require taller tires, gears, etc, etc.

....unless of course, I can install a 6" and lower it a bit? Is that possible? I'm assuming that a 6" kit is with the torsion bars cranked up to a certain amount.... what if you didn't crank them that far? Is 6" the minimum you could go?

I talked to a dealer for Cognito and he said they made a 4" kit for the H2.

I looked it up and didn't see anything but did see a 4" kit for an HD2500. Are the front suspensions the same?

Thanks again,

Mark

[EastTexan]

So if I am going with keys and stock shocks, am I better to use no shock extension at all?

[OrangeCrush]

Originally Posted by EastTexan

So if I am going with keys and stock shocks, am I better to use no shock extension at all?

I'd say yes. The reason I say that is because when I put keys on and used the shock extensions, I literally had no room for the shocks to compress.

They didn't bottom out while driving on the road but I also didn't hit any bumps.

That's the reason I bought the bilstein shocks so I could remove the shock extensions.

Mark

[EastTexan]

What are the Bilstein part numbers for an H2 with 2 - 3 inch lift? What about the Bilstein part numbers for a 2500HD shock to fit the H2 with a 2 - 3 inch lift?

[SummitUp]

Originally Posted by EastTexan

What are the Bilstein part numbers for an H2 with 2 - 3 inch lift? What about the Bilstein part numbers for a 2500HD shock to fit the H2 with a 2 - 3 inch lift?

You have two choices:

Bilstein F4-BE5-6243-H5
12" compressed, 19" extended, 7" travel,
It is 389/94 valving which is pretty firm.

Bilstein BE5-6140-T5
11.77" compressed, 18.42" extended, 6.65" travel.
It's valved at 366/240which is very similar rebound, but much firmer compression giving a much firmer ride. Both shocks will work, one will be firm and the other will be really firm.

[EastTexan]

Very cool, thanks. They are advertised to fit 4" lift F150/250.(?)