My buddy just bought a 2004 regular cab FX4 about a week ago. I am taking his place on the forum because message boards are my kind of place and I have been on here for a little while. The rear end of the truck is extremely high in stock form, and seems even higher with regular cab F-150s. So, a couple days into ownership and he had an Auto Spring 2.5" leveling kit on order ($90 shipped...can't beat that). We did the install Friday night.
I wanted to put together a little write-up for those of you out there that are on the fence about doing this install yourself. This install could not possibly be any easier, and can be done completely in your garage with hand tools.
This is one of three leveling kit installs I’ve done. Each one on a different model of full-size truck, and this was the easiest. That is on top of a few other full suspension lifts and several body lifts I’ve done. Basically, they just get easier and easier. This install took us about 3 hours using only hand tools, and included one trip to AutoZone because it was the only place open at the time where we could get a particular socket.....more on that later.
I took pictures along the way that I will post along with sort of a play by play of our install experience.
And just so you don't have to wait until the end....
Pre-lift:
Post-lift:
The instructions Auto Spring includes are simple, but all that is needed to get you through the installation of their kit.
To begin, they give you a list of tools you will need. we found a couple discrepancies here and there so I will give you the exact list of tools needed so if you're on a tight budget and you don’t already have everything, you won't have to go out and buy stuff you don't need....not that having more tools is a bad thing.
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15mm socket and wrench - the socket is used to remove the three upper strut nuts and the wrench will be used to tighten those same nuts when you put the spacer on top of the strut.
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17mm socket - this is needed to tighten the new/included nuts to the new strut bolts (attached to the spacer) which go through the tower. The directions also call for a 17mm wrench, but it is not needed. We had room to use a deep socket, but a standard is all you need.
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18mm deep socket – this is used to remove the sway bar bolt.
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21mm deep socket – you will use this to remove the ball joint nut. The instructions say to use it to remove your lug nuts, which you certainly could, but the factory tire iron is easier to use….unless you’re using air tools.
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30mm socket – this is needed to remove the nut on the lower strut bolt. The instructions say you can use a 30mm socket OR a 1 1/16 socket, but the 1 1/16 is too small for the nut. We made the mistake initially of not getting the 30mm socket from the get-go because I had the 1 1/16; however, since it didn’t work, picking up the socket was our trip to AutoZone.
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1 1/16 wrench – you will need this for the bolt end of the lower strut…bolt.
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Floor Jack – make sure your floor jack will go up to at least 21”. You have a big truck, you need a big jack. i personally wouldn't use anything less than a 3 ton.
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Jack Stands – you would be best with at least 6 ton stands for height, strength, and stability.
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Pitman Arm Puller – the instructions say to use a 1 or 2 pound hammer to knock the ball joint bolt free from the spindle, but #1 it is not as safe and #2 it is not as easy as a pitman arm puller because that bolt can be stubborn and the hole in the spindle is tapered. Trust me; just rent it from the start. It’s free and will get the job done in 3 seconds. We picked this up when we got the 30mm socket.
Step One
Using the flat-head end of your stock tire iron, pop off the center cap of the front rim on the side of the truck you will start with.
Step Two
While the tire is still on the ground, loosen but do not remove all of the lug nuts with the tire iron.
Step Three
Place the floor jack under the front suspension crossmember and jack the front end up.
Step Four
Place a jack stand under the forward most part of the straight part of frame and lower the jack allowing the weight of the truck to rest on the jack stand. For added security, it is good practice to keep the jack in place as an added safety net.
Step Five
Remove the lug nuts and remove the tire.
