level kit?
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Member
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 42
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From: Hawaii
level kit?
hey everyone,
im not very familiar with mods but i got a 05 scab fx4 and i want to know more about the benefits and consequences of getting a level kit. so..
1. Generally speaking, how much does it cost?
2. If you lvel the truck, when you throw things in the bed will it sag (usually throw things back there but nothing seriously heavy usually less than 500lbs)?
3.Why aren't these trucks levelled when they hit the lots?
4.whats good about levelling a truck?
5. whats bad about levelling a truck(mechanically speaking)?
thanks everyone for taking the time to read. any input would be greatly appreciated.
-wolf
im not very familiar with mods but i got a 05 scab fx4 and i want to know more about the benefits and consequences of getting a level kit. so..
1. Generally speaking, how much does it cost?
2. If you lvel the truck, when you throw things in the bed will it sag (usually throw things back there but nothing seriously heavy usually less than 500lbs)?
3.Why aren't these trucks levelled when they hit the lots?
4.whats good about levelling a truck?
5. whats bad about levelling a truck(mechanically speaking)?
thanks everyone for taking the time to read. any input would be greatly appreciated.
-wolf
Senior Member
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 964
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From: Lancaster, PA
1. costs about $110-$120 for a kit. You will need a front end alignment afterwards, that will cost you aditional money. Install depends on your mechanical aptitude and your specific kit. If you pay someone to install it, Daystar type kits require spring compression, and are a lot more labor intensive so install will cost more. Most autospring/ez-lift kits are done by the owners themselves.
2. Certain kits have different lift amounts. Most commonly used Kit is 2" autospring. This will leave the back end about 3/4" higher, and will take a good bit of load before it will sag. 2.5" kits will almost exactly level the truck; they take much less weight to make the rear lower than the front.
3. These trucks get a much better crash rating by having the front bumper down lower and closer to a car. Lower the front end sits, less likely you are to kill someone in a little car if you hit them. That's it.
4. Good things--Appearance, ability to fit larger tires and increase ground clearance, without the cost and complication of a full blown suspension lift, and appearance. Yes, I know I said it twice.
5. Bad things-- Steeper angles on front driveline components (cv boots may tear slightly sooner, etc.). Larger tires withonly a level kit will actually reduce your suspension articulation a bit (possible tire rubbing at extreme angles/articulation). If major off-roading is your desire, a true, full blown suspension lift is the only way to go. If you do decide to put larger tires on after a level kit, you will be lowering your effective gear ratio and lose performance and fuel economy, depending on your driving style.
some 2.5" kits have linkage components hitting eachother.
If I missed anything, please someone else chip in.
2. Certain kits have different lift amounts. Most commonly used Kit is 2" autospring. This will leave the back end about 3/4" higher, and will take a good bit of load before it will sag. 2.5" kits will almost exactly level the truck; they take much less weight to make the rear lower than the front.
3. These trucks get a much better crash rating by having the front bumper down lower and closer to a car. Lower the front end sits, less likely you are to kill someone in a little car if you hit them. That's it.
4. Good things--Appearance, ability to fit larger tires and increase ground clearance, without the cost and complication of a full blown suspension lift, and appearance. Yes, I know I said it twice.
5. Bad things-- Steeper angles on front driveline components (cv boots may tear slightly sooner, etc.). Larger tires withonly a level kit will actually reduce your suspension articulation a bit (possible tire rubbing at extreme angles/articulation). If major off-roading is your desire, a true, full blown suspension lift is the only way to go. If you do decide to put larger tires on after a level kit, you will be lowering your effective gear ratio and lose performance and fuel economy, depending on your driving style.
some 2.5" kits have linkage components hitting eachother.
If I missed anything, please someone else chip in.
Member
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 43
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From: Calgary
Or - you could go with plan "B" and remove the axle spacers on the rear. Depends if you want the level stance to be higher or lower than stock.
Cost is low (new set of U bolts from the 2wd F150) and you can do it yourself if you are handy and have basic tools, jack stands and a good floor jack. Ne need for front alignment and the rear will still be 1 inch higher than the fron so you can carry several hundred pounds before you have rear sag.
Did mine and I'm quite happy with it.
https://www.f150online.com/galleries...1763&anum=7574
Cost is low (new set of U bolts from the 2wd F150) and you can do it yourself if you are handy and have basic tools, jack stands and a good floor jack. Ne need for front alignment and the rear will still be 1 inch higher than the fron so you can carry several hundred pounds before you have rear sag.
Did mine and I'm quite happy with it.
https://www.f150online.com/galleries...1763&anum=7574
Member
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 13
Likes: 0
From: Ohio
I had the local Ford Dealer install a 2.5" AutoSpring kit into my 04' a couple weeks ago and I love it! The leveled look is great along with the ride. There is a real noticeable ride difference, it does not feel so sloppy like it did before. I have had many compliments from various people about the look since I have had the kit installed. I have noticed that braking is more responsive now which I believe is due to the weight distribution is much more even (Not front end heavy any more). The front end alignment was done immediately after and ever adjustment was perfect within factory specs. Caster, Camber, Toe and etc. where all exactly in the center of the +/- range for factory specifications.
The 2.5" AutoSpring gave me 2-3/4" of lift which put me to within 1/2" difference from front to rear. One of the technicians at the dealership have the 2.5" installed and he has the same truck as me and put 900 pounds in the back and said that it did not sag at all! In fact he stated the truck still looked good and was not frontend high.
Mstorm...
The 2.5" AutoSpring gave me 2-3/4" of lift which put me to within 1/2" difference from front to rear. One of the technicians at the dealership have the 2.5" installed and he has the same truck as me and put 900 pounds in the back and said that it did not sag at all! In fact he stated the truck still looked good and was not frontend high.
Mstorm...
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Member
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 13
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From: Ohio
The $80 bucks was just for the installation of the spacers, the alignment was $50. So the total cost was around $130 bucks which is not bad. Add the cost of the spacers at $115 bucks and you have a grand total of $245 bucks!
To answer the question about should you put bigger tires on after the AutoSpring installation, I would say you do not have to because the look is awsome being leveled like that. If you choose to do this it will look even better! I am going to install a larger more aggressive tire when I get the cash together so I can acheive the look I want.
Mstorm...
To answer the question about should you put bigger tires on after the AutoSpring installation, I would say you do not have to because the look is awsome being leveled like that. If you choose to do this it will look even better! I am going to install a larger more aggressive tire when I get the cash together so I can acheive the look I want.
Mstorm...