But, it will be here tomorrow. Ordered the Rough Country 528.20 suspension lift kit for my 2003 F-150 2wd (that I've had since I picked it up from the dealer after custom ordering it). After nearly 200k miles, the front springs are so shot, my headlights don't do diddly squat.

There are two reasons I wished I had done more extensive searching here beforehand.

One of which is that I purchased their steering stabilizer. Searching the general interwebs, I didn't see anything bad about it, but looking on here, I read that it puts undue stress on the steering setup.

I am not sure I'll need it either since I presently have the stock rims and tire size (for an 03 STX). Some day will be getting new rims (when these tires have to be replaced), since I have a bent rim that gives me way too much vibration if put on the front. Pricing replacement stock rims showed them to be $450+ if I can't find it in a junkyard.

My second reason is I wonder if I need any other components besides new coil springs. I plan to pick up two new OEM springs, since the kit referenced above levels the front with the rear of the vehicle already. I need to go pull a wheel and look, but at about 90k miles, I replaced the ball joints IIRC, and I will need to do that again. It's been long enough that I don't remember what I did and did not replace, but I recall getting something that was more adjustable when I would go into the alignment shop and complain of it pulling to the side.

Anyhow, rambling aside, is there anything else I should get beyond this kit, other than replacing worn bushings?

When I replaced things before, I replaced them with graphite impregnated poly bushings from energy suspension, so if they are worn again, I'd probably do the same. I've been hearing a clunk occasionally from the RH side that I have attributed to some worn steering component.

 

I called Rough Country, and they said that with OEM springs, their lift kit levels it out specifically. I read posts on here where people put a spindle lift as well as 1.5" lifted springs, wouldn't that point your headlights into the sky, and as you throw a load in the back makes it look stupid?

We drive the truck often still, and my in-laws have 100+ acres and we are in the back of the property all the time, so for me the primary reason for the lift is clearance when running things over.

 

Pulled the wheel, it wasn't obvious that the upper control arm was aftermarket, but I think so. It doesn't appear to have a removable ball joint, so I'm guessing I just replaced it with new stock/autozone control arms.

The bushings appear fine, so I guess I won't be touching them.

The steering linkage was a bit loose, and certainly could have accounted for the popping I was hearing from the RH side.

So, my original question still stands, is there anything I need to do with this project to make it be successful long term? I in general don't know a hell of a lot about going non-stock with the suspension, leveling, etc.

 

Tried to tighten the steering linkage, but it was as tight as it was gonna get, I just haven't messed with it in so many years, I forgot.

From what I can recall, enhanced with looking at it, I replaced the upper and lower control arm bushings with the poly bushings as well as steering linkage bushings.. I can clearly see I dropped the spring, as I have a mark on it to match it back up when I put things back together.



I'll need to look at the spring codes on the door, because I notice a factory tag on the spring that says TOW, so I guess when I added the factory towing package, I got different springs in the front. No clue what difference they were though.

 

Just finished the 3 day (couple of hours per day) install of the Rough Country 3" suspension lift on my 2003 F150. It wasn't too bad overall, spent some time remembering what I did the last time I messed with the suspension years ago, and making runs to get the right sockets, cleaners, etc.

The biggest complaint I have right now is getting the ABS sensors to fit. The design of the ABS sensor hole is a bit different than the one on the stock 03. I got one to sit pretty much next to the right spot on the hub, but one kept wanting to be at an angle. It was late that day so I put things together.

Today I took it for a short test drive (low speed, isn't aligned yet) and noticed that at low speeds the ABS is engaging.

I guess I'll need to try and get that one sensor to straighten up. I'll also try and grab some pictures, but on the stock setup, the ABS sensor isn't embedded at all, but on the Rough Country 3" lifted spindle, it actually is recessed some, causing the cable to push. If the cable went straight out it would be fine, but it comes out at a 90 degree angle.

 

That doesn't say TOW, it says TOM. Sorry I don't have anything useful for you though...

 

Hah you're right, makes one feel silly.

 

Just realized I never followed up on this thread.

I did end up getting the kit to fit in the end. I had to get my grinder out and clearance the new spindles to fit the ABS sensor properly. It looks like it was only test fitted with a sensor with a cable that is 180 degrees from the spindle, but my 2003 had more of a 90 degree angle. Once clearanced, I had no issues with ABS.

Two years later, and still enjoying the ride height, and have had no issues with the components.