Very Newbie, please no harrassment

So with my limited budget and limited understanding of things automotive, I've been spending the last couple nights reading these threads and trying to decipher and prioritize. Here is where I am at, and I just want to know if I'm on the right track. Any helpful hints are certainly welcome.

Tires - Stock size on the 2000 XE Sport is 30. 31's require some shaving of the mud flaps, but add an inch of ride height. No adjustments to suspension is necessary. Cost is whatever its costs to buy tires and have them put on/balanced/etc.

Shocks - I'm convinced the Bilsteins are the way to go. Fronts are a different size than the back. I'm not clear on the 10%, 20% stuff, but I think i would go 10 in front and 20 in back considering that I don't plan on getting an ARB. Nor will I be getting sliders. Cost is whatever the shocks cost, and installing them I can do myself. Requires torsion bars?

AAL - It seems as time goes on, this is becoming a 'have-to'. I already feel that my springs are sagging, although I'm still running pure stock and have maybe half a dozen offroad trips logged with PNWX thus far. Will raise the ride height slightly, but is primarily for a softer landings and stronger suspension. Somewhat expensive compared to Shocks, but can be installed by me and friends. Seems like it is good for the truck overall.

Torsion Bars - Wouldn't know what it is or does if it hit me in the head.

U-Joints or clamps - Are these the little do-dads that hold the AAL's together? Not sure how these change performance.

The drop down bracket that holds the leafs to the frame/body. (I've completely forgotten the name of that thing.) I've seen how some are longer than others, and can provide some lift. I'm mildly interested in this. Seems pretty simple to buy and install myself.

So:
Knowing that I'm not going to get an ARB, or Sliders. And knowing that I do want to keep getting offroad as much as possible, but limited bank for improving my truck, for me, its seems like new tires, Bil' shocks, and one of the AAl packages ought to be just about right.

All your thoughts? Thanks for indulging my edumication.

Tires - You get about 1/2" extra clearance since the tire is about 1" bigger but you only benefit from half that.

Shocks - Ask Rrdstarr. I think he has the 10% shocks and his truck rides real nice. Schlud's does too and I think he has the 20's. Both have ARB's, but Rrdstarr doesn't have a winch so his truck would be a closer comparison. Bilsteins are probably the best bet. I have Rancho RSX shocks and they are pretty good, but nowhere near what Bilstein has to offer. best part about shocks is that you can easily install them yourself, although the front ones take some strength and lack of a fear of scraping your knuckles.

AAL's - Make sure you get them before your spring packs get too bad and be sure to lube them well and line them up properly when installing. If I were to do it again, I think I would get the Calmini or the SLR AAL's. They cost more than the Ranchos that I got, but the Calmini has two leafs and the SLR has three. They are longer so they should cause less trouble with your spring pack. I'm having a problem with my spring pack bending the wrong way where the AAL's end because they are short and my springs were toast to begin with.

Torsion bars - Only if you add significant weight to the front. They are basically springs, but they twist instead of compress. Replacements have less twist to hold more weight and reduce bottoming out. In your case, I wouldn't bother. you will want to crank them up about an inch though if you add AAL's in back.

U-bolts - Attach your axle to the spring packs. Should replace them if you remove your springs for any reason, but not necessary. There are clamps on the springs too. The factory ones are cheesy and don't hold squat. I think the Calmini and SLR AAL's come with some that bolt together on top of the spring pack too, so they hold everything together better. If you were to see and hear my left spring pack you'd understand why it's important to have the leafs in alignment.

The drop down brackets you are referring to are shackles. They temporarily lift your truck, but they flatten your springs faster and destroy your ride. Before long you will be riding on your load leaf and it's not pleasant. Stick with the AAL's, as they are less damaging to your spring packs AND improve the ride...especially with the load leaf removed.

I bet if you ask nicely, Schlud may give you a good deal on his Rancho AAL's, since he is replacing his spring packs completely and won't need them anymore.

I am running the 20% Bilstiens.

"although I'm still running pure stock and have maybe half a dozen offroad trips logged with PNWX thus far"

Who the heck are you? I don't know that "handle" FuriousStylz?

Well, I think I am probably closest to him in configuration. I did 10% bilsteins up front, 20% in the rear and 31" MTs.

I've found that my ride is alot better than stock on and off road. HOWEVER, if you do plan on getting the AALs, you're going to need to get a longer rear shock to accomodate the increased height. So, do it right the first time. Secondly, if you do go for the longer shock, you will have to remove your rear sway-bar, otherwise you may dent the passenger side rear shock.

Any other questions?

:badass:

Rick,

It's Johnny with the silver X in Portland.

You also might want to consider the skid plate package from Skid Row. The transfer case sticks out of the bottom on the X, so it will pretty much hit anything that you bottom the X into.

I'm a one-man island on this issue, but I'd recommend doing the skid plates first. Basically because it doesn't matter what tires, suspension or other accessories you have, you still risk bottoming out every time to go play in the mud. I don't have sliders (yet), but I'm glad I have the plates. The few times I've gone out with PNWX, I've hit bottom.

Hey Toejam,

I agree with you. I have ordered the skids and they are one of my first mods. I figure I should protect what I have and as I become more experienced and try more stuff I can replace what I have with some of the other componentry that has been listed.

Just my 2 cents.

SarnX.

Hey ToeJam, I'll just be kind and do this out front- that avatar under your pic is NASTY.:eek2: :apuke: :badass:

Originally posted by Dayspring
Hey ToeJam, I'll just be kind and do this out front- that avatar under your pic is NASTY.:eek2: :apuke: :badass:

Yea, that was a great bachelor party.....

I think skid plates are a good buy but come after tires and shocks. The tires and shocks improve the ride on and off road all round and theres nothing like avoiding a freeway accident coz' your rig handles better. Ive been lazy and still havent put plates on mine and have been off road more times than I can remember since I bought my truck. So far so good but I intend on at least getting the T Case plate ASAP. Also, I am beginning to think the steering strengethening thingy from calmini looks like a good idea. With the amount of times I have had to get a re-aligment I dont want to push my luck much longer.

Good to see you on the board Johnny - Ill see you with PNWX one of these days.

Chad

I'm debating which to get first, the skid plates or shocks/AAL. I like the protection aspect of the plates as I am not the most skilled off-roader and don't want to really damage anything. On the other hand, if I add all of that weight underneath, how badly will my stock shocks and leafs be affected? As far as ride quality is concerned, I'm not really unhappy with the way it handles now.

Tires and shocks first! They will be the best "all-around" thing you can do for your truck and your comfort!