400 lift

Michael49
Michael49 Member Posts: 140
in Modifications & Upgrades
Planning an extended trip out West and Alaska with our 400. It is not the Boondock edition. Is it possible to add an aftermarket lift to the 400? I know that aftermarket lifts are popular with Airstreams, for example. Would love to have a few more inches of ground clearance.
Former T@B 400 owner, now thinking about a 320. 2019 Honda Ridgeline.
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Comments

  • DanManz
    DanManz Member Posts: 80
    Interestingly when we were picking out our 2019 400 BDL, we also looked at a few of the standard 400s.  They had several different graphic options and closet/refrigerator configurations on the lot.  I told the dealer I wanted one with the higher ground clearance.  He told me they could do an axle swap at the dealership and install a BDL axle onto a standard 400 if we liked one of them better than the BDLs he had.  We ended up picking a BDL model we liked so I never pursued it further.  In any event, he made it sound like an axle swip-swap was no big deal.
    Dan and Liz    2019 TAB 400 BDL    2010 Toyota Tacoma V6 4WD TRD Sport
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  • falcon1970
    falcon1970 Member Posts: 758
    The Dexter Torsion Axle is bolted directly to the frame.  I have doubts that a lift kit could be easily installed without compromising the geometry of the running gear.  Swapping the standard axle for the boondock axle shouldn't be very hard.  That would get you another couple of inches of clearance.  The trickiest part is getting the trailer jacked up enough to work without damaging the frame or stressing the entire cabin.
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  • Michael49
    Michael49 Member Posts: 140
    edited January 2020
    DanManz said:
    .... He told me they could do an axle swap at the dealership and install a BDL axle onto a standard 400 if we liked one of them better than the BDLs he had....
    Thanks for the input! I'll have to check with our local dealer.
    Former T@B 400 owner, now thinking about a 320. 2019 Honda Ridgeline.
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  • Michael49
    Michael49 Member Posts: 140
    Just a quick update on this issue for those who are curious. I spoke with our local dealer who told me that the only real difference between the standard and boondock 400 axle is some spacers; the standard 400 already has the pitched axle. They said they could raise our 400 between 1.5 and 4" using a Dexter axle spacing kit. They thought the 400 boondock had about a 2.5" lift over the standard but they weren't sure. I'll update this when I know more if people here are interested. 
    Former T@B 400 owner, now thinking about a 320. 2019 Honda Ridgeline.
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  • atlasb
    atlasb Member Posts: 584
    edited January 2020
    Real interested it "adding spacers to the axle".   The BDL axle has a different pitch and the BDL  tires are wider with the 75 ratio which adds some height.  I just finished the Axle update going from the 3500 lb that was in our 2018 400 to the newer 3900lb axle.  pictures of the process are here on the forum.  Look for "DIY 400 axle upgrade".  The frame is notched out for the axle tube so adding spacers looks like a non starter to Me.  The change to the newer axle seemed to add an additional inch in hight and this is not the BDL axle.
    2018 T@B 400, 2017 Nissan Titan Crew cab
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  • Michael49
    Michael49 Member Posts: 140
    atlasb said:
    Real interested it "adding spacers to the axle".   The BDL axle has a different pitch and the BDL  tires are wider with the 75 ratio which adds some height.  I just finished the Axle update going from the 3500 lb that was in our 2018 400 to the newer 3900lb axle.  pictures of the process are here on the forum.  Look for "DIY 400 axle upgrade".  The frame is notched out for the axle tube so adding spacers looks like a non starter to Me.  The change to the newer axle seemed to add an additional inch in hight and this is not the BDL axle.

    Interesting. Thanks for the info. Could be our local dealer doesn't know what they are talking about :).

    Couple of questions: did you order the axle yourself (I thought only a dealer could order an axle)? Do you know what the weight is new compared with the old axle?
    Former T@B 400 owner, now thinking about a 320. 2019 Honda Ridgeline.
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  • N7SHG_Ham
    N7SHG_Ham Member Posts: 1,261
    AFAIK there is not any spacers to get height on the 400 BDL. It is the starting angle or pitch of the axle.

    You can go to Dexter and look at axle specs, there sell axles with both rise and drop, I have a Wells Cargo that has a drop axle, same basic axle as in the NuCamp products. All you need to know is the axle specs and ANY Dexter dealer can sell it to you and you may even be able to order direct from Dexter, but not 100% certain on that.
    2019 T@B 400 Boondock Lite
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  • atlasb
    atlasb Member Posts: 584
    edited January 2020
    I talked with NU Camp and was given the Dexter numbers for both axles.  I contacted a dexter dealer and had them price the axle and was told it would take about a 4 week time frame to make it.  Contacted my Dealer,  Dana at Missouri tear drops and gave him the number for the one I wanted.  He got me a quote and then I ordered it from Him.  NU Camp shipped it directly to me and I paid my dealer.  The Dealer price was somewhat better than what the Dexter dealer quoted me.  The freight will be different depending where you are located.  It was shipped Via UPS, they lost it a time or two and finally showed up in front of our home getting ready to leave it in the front yard.  Ship weight was listed at 150 lbs and was a hand full for the lady that was the driver.  UPS dropped it and crushed the backing plate a little but I was able to fix it.  Also lost one of the EZ lube caps.  No problem..  The swap went as I had planed ,  On to the next mod.
    2018 T@B 400, 2017 Nissan Titan Crew cab
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  • Michael49
    Michael49 Member Posts: 140
    atlasb said:
    I talked with NU Camp and was given the Dexter numbers for both axles.  I contacted a dexter dealer and had them price the axle and was told it would take about a 4 week time frame to make it.  Contacted my Dealer,  Dana at Missouri tear drops and gave him the number for the one I wanted.  He got me a quote and then I ordered it from Him.  NU Camp shipped it directly to me and I paid my dealer.  The Dealer price was somewhat better than what the Dexter dealer quoted me.  The freight will be different depending where you are located.  It was shipped Via UPS, they lost it a time or two and finally showed up in front of our home getting ready to leave it in the front yard.  Ship weight was listed at 150 lbs and was a hand full for the lady that was the driver.  UPS dropped it and crushed the backing plate a little but I was able to fix it.  Also lost one of the EZ lube caps.  No problem..  The swap went as I had planed ,  On to the next mod.
    Thanks so much for the info. Sounds like my dealer doesn't know what they are talking about :( 

    So your dealer ordered it from NuCamp, shipped it to you and you did the install?

    Did you install different wheels/tires?

    If you don't mind I'd love to know how much they charged you for the axle so I have a rough idea - you can message me the price if you don't want to post it here. 

    Thanks again for the info - really helpful. 
    Former T@B 400 owner, now thinking about a 320. 2019 Honda Ridgeline.
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  • atlasb
    atlasb Member Posts: 584
    Michael49,  I just sent you a PM.

    atlasb
    2018 T@B 400, 2017 Nissan Titan Crew cab
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  • Michael49
    Michael49 Member Posts: 140
    atlasb said:
    Michael49,  I just sent you a PM.

    atlasb
    Thanks - very helpful.

    Another dealer just quoted me $2700 to swap out the axle, wheels and tires!! I do quite a bit of DIY but not sure I want to take this one on myself and not sure its worth $2700 - will have to give it some thought. 
    Former T@B 400 owner, now thinking about a 320. 2019 Honda Ridgeline.
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