I know the topic of leveling kits has been answered repeatedly, however, what about the affects on the half shafts? I ordered the Daystar 2 1/1 inch kit and it is the same one installed on my friends Titan. When he is in 4wheel drive, his half shafts bind up due to the increase of angle on the shafts. He is telling me to only install the top spacer and call it good or get a suspension lift so I don't shorten the life of my CV joints. His suspension is also topped out and I am not sure I want to get into making costly repairs a year or two down the road. Anyone notice any similar problems? I plan on putting some Nitto 325/60/18's onn there, so I may have to go with the 2 1/2 anyways. How would it look with only the top spacer (1 1/4) in it?

 

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Well, I don't have a kit yet, but from what I've heard from everyone else, nobody has had this issue. Tell your buddy that fords are better and don't do that

 

Hey wow--that was my hundreth post! I'm a Senior Member now!

 

I agree. I've read hundreds of post on the various leveling kits for the 04 F-150's and have never heard anyone mention this problem.

 

I put in the Autospring 2.5" lift in front. I wondered of it so i looked at it close on before and after of CV joint angle. It is only slightly more and i don't see any premature wear coming of it from the lift. I could get a pic of my 1/2 shaft and put in my gallery for you to see . i will on 10-08 ok give you a idea anyway SilverFX of the angle and kinda match to what your stock is like.

 

I'm wondering the same thing. I really want the autospring, but am afraid of messing the front end up. Seems like most cars are their best before the first alignment. I don't have any shimmy, don't want any!
Speak up. All you with leveling kits please let us know of any changes. If there are no problems I'd like to hear that too.

 

I have the 2" (1 5/8") autospring and I was a little concerned about the shaft angle too. After pulling apart the front end I have to say that even with the spacers the front suspension is in no way topped out, it has plenty of articulation left in it and the CV joints dont seem to be overly stressed at all. As far as the alignment, I will say that the truck drives and tracks just as well as it did before I installed the kit. One word of warning, be sure the alignment shop has the current data for the 04. The shop i went to had two racks and one didnt have the data for the new trucks and the other did. The guy said it doesnt matter im sure its the same as the 03, I said hell no its not this is a different vehicle from the ground up. So he went and made sure they used there updated rack. Anyhow everything worked out and the truck goes straight.

Jeff

 

I have the 1-5/8" spacer for 2-1/4" of lift. I put the spacer and new 315/70/17 BFG's on when the truck had less than 100 miles on it. I had a slight nibble in the steering wheel at around 500 miles. I happened to put Kleen Wheels on for the brake dust problem when the truck had about 600 miles and the nibble completely disappeared and it hasn't returned, 1400 miles now. The only thing I can figure is the lug nut torque was out of whack before I installed the Kleen Wheels.

 

Speaking of halfshafts - I was installing my autospring. When I popped the upper ball joint loose the weight of the knuckle extended the halfshaft out to the limit. It happened so fast I couldnt catch it. Anyway I had a hell of a time getting the halfshaft back in. SO BE CAREFUL!!!

 

Thanks bro. I would certainly appreciate the photos. I am having the kit installed on Tues. and placing an order for the new wheels and tires. I'll post up some pics when she is done. Thanks to all for the replies. I knew I wasn't the only one out there with this concern. If you guys are saying you aren't having any problems, I guess it is on!