Driveline angles

[jimmy18thing]

I am about to order a new suspension... I am putting extended radius arms on from wild horses and my rear spring perches are shot so I am welding new ones on. My question is... can I get the correct angles on my drive lines while changing these things if I go from a 3.5" to a 4.5"? Its not much more to do the 4.5", and I know alot of people run the 3.5" with a 1 inch body. But I figure if I am already in the there doing the suspension work why not just do the 4.5". Also am I going to have for a lack of better words... a crappier ride with a 4.5" than a 3.5"? It has 32x11.5's now.. would like to get 33x12.5's eventually.

 

[bax]

Setting the pinion angle and then re welding the spring perches on is a good way to do it. No angle shims involved that way.

 

[JWMcCrary]

With 3.5 sometimes you can get away without changing driveshafts, e-brake cables, brake lines. With 4.5 I doubt any of these items will still work.

 

[jimmy18thing]

Oh yeah and I already have extended S.S. braided brake lines, I believe I got an extended drive shaft also...

 

[JROwens]

Ride quality will depend on type of lift you put on. I went from a basic 2.5" or 3.5" that the PO had to a Cage 5.5" w/ arms (and 31's to 37's) and it drives 10 times better. Like JW said, there will be several other upgrades if you go taller. Doesn't hurt upgrading 35+ year old parts though.