have a customer with a 2005 2500 duramax, torsion keys twisted all the way up running 35s. idler arm, pitman arm, and tie rods worn and 4 month old axle boots busted. looking for any suggestions on needed steering upgrades and more reliable axle boots. ive read everything cognito, to kryptonite, to moog upgrades, does it need the beefed up center link or idler arm bracing? he used cheap axles last time so looking for something that will last longer with a fairly harsh cv angle. He has stock trans efi live tunes, 35 mud grapplers, and again a harsh cv angle. He occasionally pulls and hits the strip but it is mainly a trailer hauler weekend rider. We understand that nothing will bulletproof without a diff drop but just looking for the BEST option for the way the truck is set up now. Thanks INLINE WRENCHER

 

The front axle being in the factory location is a problem on these trucks. Mine is killing cv shafts and outer axle seals.
2500's have taller frames creating a greater distance for the cv's to overcome. If we could lower the axle 2" it would put the angles close to factory. A lot of stock 2500's have the same issue. You hardly hear of 1500's having these problems even ones with twisted keys.
I don't want to buy a lift kit just to lower the axle. Axle lowering brackets would be nice.

 

cut the fenders and shape the washer fluid reservior and drop it, i used to tuck 35's with my torsion bolts taken all the way out. but i was very aggresive with a sawzall