There is one thing I'm still confused on, as I'm pretty new to lift kits and all, when y'all say "don't buy aftermarket torsion keys" is that the same as a leveling kit?? Cause when I look up leveling kits, it seems at though they come with new torsion keys? I may be wrong, but can someone help me out a bit as far as the difference between the two?? In other words, is a leveling kit the exact same thing as cranking the torsion bars?

 

You can crank your stock torsion bars for free and level the truck and still be within spec.

Aftermarket torsion keys, also known as leveling kits for the 97-03 4x4s, cost money, and allow you to crank too far putting you out of spec, meaning it puts your ball joints, tie rod ends, and cv axles at terrible angles causing them to wear out extremely fast and it makes it pretty hard to get a decent alignment.

 

awesome! but what about leveling kits with new shocks and keys, such as this one: http://www.ntwonline.com/97-03-Ford-...l#.UnbA_ZTwLXE

I know it has the aftermarket keys, but would it be SAFE to use these types of kits as long as I don't crank the keys so far that my front end is out of spec??

I'm sorry for all these similar questions, i feel like an idiot but I don't wanna screw up my truck!

 

Technically it could be, if you knew where to stop. I'm just not seeing any reason why it'd be worth it to risk it. You can pick those shocks up for pretty cheap as well as a rest block if you want the rake back, if you want level a block isn't even needed. But if your buying if just for the block and the shocks, buy them seperate, you'll save like 40 bucks.

 

awesome! Thanks!

 

So, I'm new to the lift/leveling world as well. Am I to understand I could adjust something on my 04 screw 4x4 to get rid of the factory rake and level it out? If that's the case, why do people buy leveling kits at all if you can do it for free?

 

The only ones that were adjustable from the factory were the 97-03 4x4's with the torsion bar front suspension.

Since you have struts you can leveling struts and adjust those to the height needed to level or go with a leveling kit.

 

I'm wanting to put a Daystar 1.5 coil spacer in the front but I've read that i will need to get new front shocks so they will have some relief over bumps. What kind of shock should i get that will be tall enough?

 

Stock length shocks should be fine, but if not you might be able to find some for a 2" lift from someone like bilstein, procomp, fabtech, rancho, etc.

 

All righty ill try it out.

 

 

What you watchin', fool?

 

Man, lately I forgot people even looked at this thread haha

 

You answered somebody barely 6 weeks ago

It's a super useful thread though.

 

A 6in lift is some time in the future (been saying that since I bought it new in '07). A lot of good info here. Besides, if I can pass the link on to somebody else and help them out all the better.