I have a 1998 Ford f-150 4.6 V-8 2WD, and I have been reading a lot of forums about lifting and shackles and leveling. I am looking for about 2-3 inches on the front and rear of my truck for cheap, I also don't completely understand the difference between shackles and add a leaf and coils, but I know theres a lot of knowledgable guys on here who would love to explain . If someone can tell me the cheapest way to get 2-3 inches on my truck and easily that would be great!

 

read this..


https://www.f150online.com/forums/su...nts-lifts.html

 

Thank you! I've been looking for something like that for a while, i don't know why i haven't found it. But so I could throw on shackles and a leveling kit? and a Rear block? I don't want to ruin the ride

 

Nice link man^

OP, what are you goals for the truck, are you looking to level or maintain the stock rake?

Yes you can throw coils, a block, and shackles on it but I doubt in the end it'll sit the way you want. Coils/leveling spacer you can only go as high as 2" without getting aftermarket control arms. 2" will sit the front just about level however. 3" will put you nose high. I recommend coils over spacer's due to it'll ride better if they fit your budget.

Now for the rear, if you go 2" up front, 2" in the back will maintain the stock rake. So either the shackles or the block would be able to accomplish that alone, both would put you pretty rear high. Shackles are good for about 1.5-2", install isn't too hard and they pretty much maintain stock ride quality. Blocks are cheap, easy to install, come in about all sizes, and for a block under about 4" you'll keep stock ride quality too.

 

three inch doetsch spindles in the front and two inch shackles in rear. O wait you said cheap. lol. Yeah go with the coils if you want cheaper but don't go over two inch coils.

 

Besides doestch's 3.5" spindles are more expensive than canuck motorsports or springtechs and they're all the same brand haha.

 

Thanks for the help guys, I think Im probably going to go 2" leveling kit in front, and a 1-2 rear block, but I still want the front a little higher. Could I get a 2" block for the front too? How much would this run me and how hard is that to install? Im pretty handy with tools

 

There is no blocks in the front. Only the rear for the leafs. If you want higher either go spindles or 3" coils with aftermarket arms. That plus blocks will run you anywhere between 350-600ish depending on brand you choose and what not. If you can turn a wrench you can do the install, I did spindles, coils, ball joints, and tie rods on mine in around 6-7ish hours per side. Then you have to go get an alignment. And if your truck has more than like 60k on it now is the perfect time to replace ball joints and outer tie rods because chances are they'll get damaged in the installation anyways.

 

why dont you just go body lift??

 

A body lift will will be decently cheap but for the unexperienced will not be the easiest. Thats if your doing it yourself if not it goes from cheap to very expensive due to the amount of time involved. Cheapest and easiest for a couple inches will be blocks or add a leaf and coil spacer. you wont get much more than an inch with a 2'' lift shackle.

 

Suspension lift, that's it. Nothing else! That way, she should last yuh a good long time before breaking the bank.

 

I have a 2 inch dystar leveling kit new for sale.Its for a 97 to 03 f150 2wd. I would like to get $40 w/shipping. I never used it because I could not swing the price of the tires.

 

Ben99R1, If you leveling kit doesn't sell in the next couple weeks send me a message. I'm interested i just need to figure my Hot Start issue figured out first.

 

Does anyone have a website or something about lift shackles and how they work? I can't find anything, only drop shackles

 

http://www.ebay.com/itm/97-99-FORD-F...d283bd&vxp=mtr

Install is easy just swap them for the stock ones