I have a 2005 Lariat Supercrew 4x4, and want to know whats the best lift kit. But hold up before you guys go blasting me about not searching the forums I want to tell you guys that I have and came up with the conclusion that RIZE is the best lift. However I am uneducated on the lifting up the rear-end. I see that most all kits use blocks, but I have read from a bunch of sources that say blocks are not good, and that AAL is better, and that all new leaf springs is the best. Skyjacker has new leaf springs in there kit and so does KORE for dodges (which I have on my megacab dually and love it). But this aint a dodge and want answers. Obviously lift blocks are good or no one else would use them. Also I have heard that totally new leaf springs with high arches stiffen up the rear-end and are actually way worse ridding than stock springs with blocks. I want the best ride with the best kit. What are my options?

 

Sounds like you have done your research and you are right. A complete spring pack out back is best. Most companies use blocks just to keep cost down. You are also right about the Rize lift. I'd also suggest looking at the Fabtech and RCD lifts. Those are the top three lifts for your truck in my opinion.

 

I've heard the Skyjacker 4" leaf pack rides like chit too. .

I'd keep the 5" block that Rize supplies you with and add a 2" add a leaf which you'll need to level the rear. I don't have any problems, rides smooth as it did before.

 

So what type of AAL's did you add. Also looking at alcan leaf springs. How much over stock should I get them if i went that route with the rize 8 inch kit. Also I notice that RIZE has a 6 inch kit but everyone always buys the 8 inch. Why?

 

Because they are the same price.

 

BDS makes a 6" lift leaf springs and they're cheaper than skyjackers

Edit: They're actually 5.5" springs, sorry about that and I don't think Rize is the best, it's just taller than fabtechs and some other of the big name companies. All of the IFS drop knuckle kits are really pretty identical because there's not much to it. Just put in new crossmembers and drop the diff and a couple other minor things and you're ready to go. Torsion lifts are much more time consuming due to having to relocate the torsion rail which isn't hard just time consuming.

 

Joe, how much do they run??

 

They weren't in their jobber sheet so I called them and got jobber price and at the end it looks like they're gonna run about 215 a piece which is way cheaper than skyjackers. These are good riding springs in fact they call them glide ride leaf springs.

 

Looks like they switch it over to a single center bolt so there's a kit box that needs to be included with it which comes with u bolts and new u bolt plates. Leaf springs come with standard bushings in them. Kit box is about 100. I'm gonna order up a few sets and throw one on my truck and see what I think because it already has a longer main leaf so I can arch and get about 8-9" out of them and get rid of the blocks completely.

 

Yeah, but RIZE is the only one that I know of that retains the stock suspension and does not alter the steering in any way. Also I am looking at custom leaf springs how much over stock would I need to add if I was to put an 8 inch RIZE system on my truck

 

I have a 2000 with an RCD 5" kit.. It was totally an AAL in the rear and I have to say it makes for a much rougher ride than a block in the back.. I didn't want the blocks because I thought it would be a better situation to use an extra leaf to get the lift, but not so.. Remember, if you are adding a leaf to your stock leaf for lift, I don't see any way how it would not ride rougher.. You have simply made that spring more resistive to flexing.. Now I can see how a total leaf replacement with the leaf's being longer to get the lift would retain a stock ride.. Just food for thought!

 

I am done with the front and moving on to the back. Give me some more info on these new rear leafs. I only have a six inch front lift so 4 in the rear a 5.5 pack will jack my rear wayyyyy up wont it? Deaver makes a replacement pack for a 4 inch lift but its like 715$.

 

Mine's a 7.5 front and 6.5 rear and I like the way it sits (about an inch higher in the rear). I ordered a few sets of the BDS and I'm gonna see what the actual height is on my truck to see if it's a 5 or 5.5 and then I'll arch it up to get it to 6.5 but at least I'll know but I'm thinking they're actually 5" springs but won't know until they come in on Tuesday or Wednesday and I'll put them in that day. I do know they're a lot cheaper than skyjackers and I'm a pretty big fan of BDS so I thought I'd give them a go on the F150.

 

I was thinking about alcan custom springs. I called and they said it would be about 270 a spring with about 110 for shipping and they custom make the springs to whatever height you want them. I just don't know how high to go? Does anyone know anything about this company?

 

Alcan is a very reputable company, second or just as good as Deaver. However, I got a quote for $575 with shipping for a set of leaf packs including bushings to whatever lift height I wanted to get.