I know i'm ,so. I just bought a new 13 lariat ecoboost 4x4 off road super crew with the 6.5 foot bed. I have just read several threads on lift and level kits looking for my answer,couldn't find. I put a hell bent steel on our 06 been very happy. in researching level kits 8 yrs later i'm seeing steel,aluminum,and polyurathan. My ? whats the diff as application applies. will the plastic hold up? is there give or flex in the urathan that as you hit bumps etc. allow flex and constantly change alignment? aluminum is lighter, steel is stronger. Most all threads i'v read everyone seems to use steel,which answers most questions,but steel is also less expensive. I have about 800 mi. on the the truck at 35 mi. I took of the *****,wrangler stock p series tires and put on a set of 275/70r/18/10w toyo at2's.put this tire on the 06 .love em. left the tire store and dropped in off for a spray in bed liner.Now its time for the lift kit. Just one more ?.In all the threads I've read,no one seemed to use the toyo AT2, Why. Oh ya,and we keep the 06 5.4.traded off the wifes 2012 escape (she hated it).Thanks for letting me

 

toyo just came out with that tire, so that's probably why. I swear by toyo. a 2 inch level will make that truck exactly level, so 2 inch is the most id go. I would run the 2 inch autospring level. as long as its metal youre good to go

 

Go steel. Autospring is the best, it's got a slight offset, and it also happens to be (one of) the cheapest because it's a small company. I've got one on my 06 and it's been perfect this far. Aluminum is more chincy.

I'm gonna keep telling everyone to do this though: get a 2 or 2.5" level, then swap the 2" rear block to a 3." It makes the whole truck look so much higher and gives it a touch of rake, which I think is a little better than dead level or nose high. If you do both from Autospring, it costs just a bit more than a level from Readylift or one of the other expensive ones

Toyos are actually a bit hard to find in some places. Where I am, only offroad shops carry them for whatever reason, even though they're great. If Discount carried Toyo tires, I bet they sell a lot more of all of their tires. The AT2s are pretty new as well, which is a big factor, as most people like to go with the "tried and true."

 

have you thought about the bilstins adjustable shocks. I hear a lot of people use those to. I think you can raise the front end 2 to 2.5 inches. just food for thought.


Posted from F150online.com App for Android

 

I had no idea that AutoSpring is just .6 mile from my house. Talked with the owner right after reading your post. I will be in and out on Monday with a 1.5" level on the 2013, 6.5 Plat 4x4. They are even going to shuttle me to and fro.

Owner (Kevin) said go 1.5", not 2". He said something like "Those things can't haul ****, and you'll be nose up if you put any kind of load on it. You get a very slight rake with a 1.5." He hates the factory rake. After all, he does much heavier than 1/2-ton ratings. Interesting that they have big-league federal government contracts to lift 350+ 2013 Ecoboosts (said most were regular cabs, replacing GMs) for (what sounded to me like) border patrol.

I have more front-end specs drifting through my mind now than before I made that call.

$200 plus tax for the parts, level, and realignment, straight from the manufacturer. How do you beat that, other than by sheer luck?

I'll try to find my own album and post before/after pics. Won't be dramatic, compared to many, but should look better.

Thanks for the prod, KMAC

[Edit: Kevin knew exactly what 150online is ... and the power that is customer feedback/recommendations. He knows his base. I'm going to ask to watch the leveling mod, mostly to see how the front-end suspension is assembled. I hope they let me. This is not the same as my 1977 B200 Tradesman.

 

Since Kevin knows exactly who we are, see if he will let you post pics of his shop. Try to sell it as free advertising.

B.T.W. I had an A/S 2.5" on my 05 and an A/S 3" front and rear on my 07 and my next 150 will have an A/S leveling kit as well.

 

Good idea and I will certainly inquire. Would love to get some closeups of the work in-progress. These guys make the parts and have to know suspensions inside and out. Big-time stuff.

What I am having done is nothing. Probably like changing a lightbulb for them.

 

Sounds great, Dosman. I'd be really interested in seeing what AutoSpring has going on, and I think it would be great for business for them to share a bit of info, or for you to make a thread promoting them. I think they've got a great product at a great price, they're like the leveling secret. I wish they/we could get the word out a little better cause if you don't visit a forum (specifically this one), there's a very small chance that you'll find out about them.

I never knew they had a gov't contract, good for them. That price is excellent as well. That's like getting the install for ~40 bucks. I'd tell anyone to do that if they're close. I like doing my own stuff, and would install my own again, but that price can't be beat!

I also agree with going with a 1.5" if that's the only addition you're going to do. My 2" level made my truck a little nose-high, which I hated, so I added a 2" block in the back (I'm 2wd). But I'm glad that happened, cause I had never thought about a rear block initially, and I'm more than happy with my truck's current stance. I feel like a truck should have between .5 and 1" of rake in order to look "right." I've got closer to 1.5" but that's fine.

 

The kit is $75, labor for the install and alignment shouldn't be more than 1.5 hours.

33s are supposed to fit easily. Will see when ATs replace the Bridgestones.

My s-i-l cannot wait for the AutoSprings. A month ago we got them a gorgeous 2013 white Plat (5.5 box, totally maxed including factory tonneau, skid plates, and pretty much everything else). The 5.5 shows the rake a bit more than the 6.5. And, he'd like nothing better than to jack it up 4". Not so fast, my friend.

Cannot wait to get my Truxedo TonneauMate box. Should be in tomorrow or Saturday.

 

Usually alignments run between $80 and 100 around here, want to say I pay 85 before taxes, so that really is pretty good. 33's will fit no problem. My 33's, though narrow at 275mm and on aftermarket wheels with a +20 offset (vs ~+45 stock), fit my 2wd with zero rubbing on anything without the level and with no trimming.

Wait a minute, you bought your son-in-law a 2013 Plat, as in gave it to him? Got any other daughters that need marrying off?!?!

Definitely work on getting some pics up when you get the additions on

 

Thanks all for you input and comments,conclusion is 2 inch steel is the max for level. as far as the AT2's,i put them on the 06 crew cab 4x4 lariat last January when I got tired of getting stuck in 3-6 inches of snow,havn't been stuck since in as much as a foot or so. took off yoko geo at. the at2 is quiet in comparison.now have them on the 13.After driving on the p series wranglers (stock) then the at2,ride was a little harsher,mainly due to the stiffer 10 ply sidewall. Love them so far,we'll have to wait and see how long they last.Dealer says to expect 45-50 thousand. Plus, i'll feel much safer when we hook=up the toyhauler or the car hauler. And the tires don't look flat. Thanks all. I'm not a salesman for toyo but give them a check.:

 

That's good info, thanks.

They needed something to replace their tin can Hyundai and aging Pathfinder. We got decent trade value on the Nissan, plus $1,000 trade assist. The Hyundai is leased, so that's $300/month down the rathole. Matt's about 6'4", 260 and has to shoehorn himself into any kind of small SUV or car. The real impetus was safety for their growing and very active family. So, yeah, I bought 'em a truck plus the 5yr/75,000m extended warranty and maintenance.

As we've seen in many posts, the 2011s and later are holding their value extremely well, so they will get great use now and good value when it comes time for the next F-150.

Matt takes "Maximus" the truck to work (FedEx) every day and I guess it's blown away just about everyone at the terminal ... and in their new neighborhood which has many Ram/Chevy/Tundra owners. Guy across the street from them used to own a Lariat or FX4 and came over with his jaw hanging when he saw it.

Safety, value, and a great truck (White Platinum Metallic Tri-coat). Recon smoked mirror LEDs, Recon smoked 3rd taillight LEDs, Craven Stubby antenna installed in this photo. Front/tail assembly LEDs and level pending. I think we did okay.

 

Sounds good to me! You must be one of those rare, elusive in-laws that are amazing lol

I think a 2013 Plat would blow just about anybody away anywhere, you literally can't buy a nicer half-ton. It should be especially mind-blowing for those that bought a truck from the wrong company!

That's definitely a darn purdy truck. I like the mirror LEDs, they're actually a pretty substantial improvement on the looks

 

I would get the lowest Autospring kits 1.25 etc... or a new shock like Bilstein etc and run the second clip. I just don't like going much over an inch or so for my preference. if you want is higher than that get a real lift kit.

 

Sounds good! And whenever I need to buy mud tires, they're going to be Toyos for sure because of the mileage that guys on here have been getting out of them