Dirt King Long Travel Kit Installation Mesa AZ — What to Expect
Dirt King Long Travel Kit Installation — What to Expect
A Dirt King long travel kit installation is the most significant suspension transformation you can make to your truck. It's also one of the most involved — requiring precision installation, proper setup, and a full alignment to perform as designed.
If you're having a Dirt King long travel kit installed at Schmidty Racing Suspensions in Mesa, AZ — or you're researching what the process involves before scheduling — here's exactly what to expect.
What Is a Dirt King Long Travel Kit?
A long travel kit is a complete front suspension conversion that provides dramatically more suspension travel than factory suspension or even mid travel kits. Dirt King's long travel systems provide:
- 12-17.5+ inches of front suspension travel depending on the vehicle and kit
- New upper control arms with corrected geometry
- New lower control arms with extended travel
- Performance spindles (where applicable)
- Shock mounts and hardware for extended travel shocks
- Bump stop plating and limit strap mounts
The result is a truck that can absorb terrain at speeds and over terrain that would bottom out a stock or even mildly lifted truck — genuinely race-inspired performance for the street and trail.
What's Involved in the Installation Process
Front End Disassembly
A long travel kit installation starts with a complete front end disassembly — removing factory UCAs, LCAs, spindles (where replaced), shocks, and all related hardware.
Component Installation
Dirt King components are installed in sequence — lower arms first, then spindles where applicable, then upper arms. Every bolt is torqued to spec and every bushing is properly seated. This is where installation quality really matters — improperly torqued hardware on a long travel system can cause premature bushing and ball joint wear or, in worst cases, safety issues.
Shock Installation and Setup
Long travel kits require long travel shocks — typically Fox 2.5 or King 2.5 remote reservoir or bypass shocks. We install your shocks, set preload for your vehicle weight, verify nitrogen pressure, and adjust compression and rebound for your intended use.
Bump Stop and Limit Strap Setup
Proper bump stop and limit strap setup is critical on a long travel system. Limit straps prevent the suspension from over-extending at full droop, protecting CV axles and shock shafts. Bump stops provide progressive bottom-out protection at full compression. Both must be set correctly for the system to work safely.
Alignment
Every long travel kit installation gets a full alignment after installation — non-negotiable. The new geometry of a long travel system changes caster, camber, and toe significantly from the factory spec. Driving without alignment after a long travel install will cause rapid tire wear and handling issues.
Test Drive and Inspection
We take your truck for a test drive before it leaves our shop — checking for any unusual noises, verifying handling feel, and confirming everything is working as designed.
How Long Does a Long Travel Installation Take?
A typical Dirt King long travel kit installation at Schmidty Racing takes 1-2 days depending on the vehicle, kit configuration, and any additional services required alongside the install. Contact us at (602) 920-1337 to discuss timeline for your specific vehicle and kit.
Buy Your Kit Through Us or Bring It In
We install customer-supplied Dirt King long travel kits at labor-only rates. Or let us help you select, order, and receive your kit — then schedule installation when it arrives.
Schedule Your Long Travel Installation
Schmidty Racing Suspensions
8150 E Germann RD, Suite 104
Mesa, AZ 85212
(602) 920-1337
Sales@schmidtyracing.com
Mon-Fri 8:00am - 4:30pm MST
Get directions: Google Maps
