Bought a new truck which is over 3" taller than my old one, so I'm getting ready to have a 4" sub frame added to my 2010 Keystone Cougar with 11,000 miles towing on it, to get it level. At the very least I'll have new spring bushings installed. Any recommendations on what else would be good to do while it's all torn apart? Any concerns about going 4" higher on the trailer? Should end up ~13' overall hgt so that shouldn't be a problem. Thanks.

Cut the spring shackles offWeld 2" x 4" tube onto frameWeld shackles back onto subframe with bracing and side to side lateral support tubingInstall WET bolt/bronze bushing set

Cross member between the rear spring hanger. Plan on blocks for the jack legs, steps and rear jacks. Raising a trailer increases side load on the spring hangers and torque to the frame. Negate that by welding in a x member between the rear hangers.

Is the axle already flipped? Absolutely wet bolts, a nice addition is a Dexter Eqauflex, possibly longer stabilizers and another step. Some will also go to 16's as part of leveling up.

Axles have already been flipped. Planing on installing two cross members, in front of the front hangers and behind the rear hangers. Looking at the never fail bushings vs the wet bolt bushings, probably go with the wet bolts. 16's might be in the future, don't want to replace the rims and tires just now, put new Maxxis tires on 3 yr ago so maybe in another year or 2. Thanks for the feedback.

Only 2 across supports?What about center shackle for equalizer??Should do that also ....lateral/twisting forces when maneuvering

Sub frame addition | Good Sam Community

18 Replies

goducks10
Explorer
Dec 04, 2017
No need to buy a shock kit. Just have the welder guy weld some upper brackets on, then buy some U-bolt spring plates that have the angled edges with holes in them.
You'll need to measure and buy the right length shocks of course. No need for all the $$$ Joy Rider stuff.
2naEagle
Explorer
Dec 04, 2017
Look at the MORryde website

Wet Bolt & HD Shackle upgrade kit
Brace, Brace, Brace front back and center.
Look at the equalizer at MORryde and pick one you like.
Shock's would be really good. I put Joy Rider on mine. You can find less expensive kit's. Lippert and Dexter make some.
alexleblanc
Explorer
Dec 04, 2017
have you though about installing shorter rear lift blocks on the rear of your truck? I just did that to mine and its still 2" higher out back instead of 3.5" and it leveled out my setup without needing modifications to the 5er.
Old-Biscuit
Explorer III
Dec 04, 2017
Only 2 across supports?

What about center shackle for equalizer??

Should do that also ....lateral/twisting forces when maneuvering
terryaGJ
Explorer
Dec 04, 2017
Axles have already been flipped. Planing on installing two cross members, in front of the front hangers and behind the rear hangers. Looking at the never fail bushings vs the wet bolt bushings, probably go with the wet bolts. 16's might be in the future, don't want to replace the rims and tires just now, put new Maxxis tires on 3 yr ago so maybe in another year or 2. Thanks for the feedback.
azrving
Explorer
Dec 04, 2017
Is the axle already flipped? Absolutely wet bolts, a nice addition is a Dexter Eqauflex, possibly longer stabilizers and another step. Some will also go to 16's as part of leveling up.
SDcampowneroper
Explorer
Dec 03, 2017
Cross member between the rear spring hanger. Plan on blocks for the jack legs, steps and rear jacks. Raising a trailer increases side load on the spring hangers and torque to the frame. Negate that by welding in a x member between the rear hangers.
Old-Biscuit
Explorer III
Dec 03, 2017
Cut the spring shackles off
Weld 2" x 4" tube onto frame
Weld shackles back onto subframe with bracing and side to side lateral support tubing

Install WET bolt/bronze bushing set

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Sub frame addition

18 Replies

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