Anyone here lifted a 80-96 1/2 ton? I want to put either a 4 or 6 inch kit on my truck, but a couple things stumped me.
For one, it looks as if my front driveshaft will hit the crossmember if the truck is lifted. The tranny is an M5OD. I am curious to hear what any has to say.
Also, will the added lengths to the driveshafts do anything? I don't think there is a slip yoke in the front, it is in the shaft. The one out of the transfer case (?) to the back I am worrying about it coming all the way out. Will these be maxed out?
The truck will see a considerable amount of off road, so I will be using all of the travel. Any ideas other than buying new shafts?

------------------
Rob
89 F150 4X4
300 I-6, 5 spd
For Off Road Driving

 

Are you wanting a Suspension or a Body lift? I think, people rotate the axle when they do do a lift. That is the half-a$$ed way. There is a better way of going about doing a proper lift. I have seen several, and eventually I will get one too, but I feel that a Suspension lift is the way to go



[This message has been edited by Pastmaster (edited 02-16-2000).]

 

Hey Rob, Do you have any pictures of your truck? I live in Conn, near the coast, where in Conn. are ya from? I think you may have a problem doing a body lift, because you lift the body, but the trans. stays the same, therefore, you will need to heat up and bend your shfter

 

I was thinking suspension lift. Too much others with body, and suspension is much more practical. Rotating the axle is good on solid axles if you separate the tubes from the housing and turn them to keep stock caster, and help driveline angles. I don't know if it is feasible on the TTB though. I think I'll go for it. I just can't decide Skyjacker or Superlift, 4 or 6 inches.
Rich,
I am from Haddam, about 25 miles up the CT river. You? No pic's. Truck is stock and has many battle scars, so it is only pretty to a select few. I'll get some for before and after with a lift though. Whats your truck?

------------------
Rob
89 F150 4X4
300 I-6, 5 spd
For Off Road Driving

 

Here are a few pics of favorite 89 F-150, what do you think of them? What you ought to do is email a company like Superlift or Rancho and ask them your questions on lifts for IFS trucks like ours. This blue one is my personal favorite.

[img]//www.ford-truck.com/pictorial/big/1989_f150_2.jpg[/img]

[img]//www.ford-truck.com/pictorial/big/1990_f150_1.jpg[/img]



[This message has been edited by Pastmaster (edited 02-17-2000).]

 

Those certaintly are great looking trucks. Unfortunately mine will never look like that with all the bumps and bruises it has. Do any of your trucks look like that? Someday I will have something that looks that good.

That is a good idea about emailing the suspension co's. I don't know why I haven't done that yet. I will soon though.
Thanks


------------------
Rob
89 F150 4X4
300 I-6, 5 spd
For Off Road Driving

 

Unfortuneatly, I don't know much about suspension lifts on Ford's. I should though, planning for one eventually. I do know that Body lifts suck! I don't like the look at all.

My 89 looks pretty good, but after 11 years and 140k miles, it isn't as good as it was. It was in an accident in 1993,, that ruined the bed, twisted the rear frame, bumper, etc, and they replaced the bed with a 94 bed, tailgate, etc, and repainted it with the original Maroon/grey middle, and it looks good. Ford had major problems with its gray paint during that era.

good luck!

 

Hey 4xFord,

I have a 95 Bronco with a 4" Explorer Pro-Comp lift and I like it. The first thing you should do is buy every 4x4 magazine you can get your hands on. There are alot of tech articles and ads that will help you with your choice. The most important thing I discovered about lifting Fords is making sure you install longer radius arms. These arms "locate" the TTB axles and give you more articulation off road and a smoother ride on road. There is very little difference in ride quality on my Bronco since the lift.

 

4Xford, I live in Stratford, but I travel up that way a lot on Rt9. I have a 96 F150 4x4 reg cab, 302, auto. It seems as though my fron end is sagging a bit though. The truck is black, and G** DA* black is hard to keep clean. I loved my 97 150 ,but the lease was up on it so back it went. Pastmaster, those are some really sweet pictures of your truck. It looks great! I would love to get a mild suspension lift, but the funds don't allow right now.

 

rich, I wish they were mine! I would love to have em!

 

4+FORD my brother lifted his 96 FORD F-150 last spring he used a BIG ****S SUSPENSION LIFT or BDS suspension lift for a nicer way to say it! it was the four inch lift he did not have to change anything other than put a taller set of coil springs and longer shocks the drivelines or nothing hit! the kit is the best and heaviest i have ever seen very high quality! the kit is designed with the option to go to a 6 inch lift later own if desired by simply adding taller coils and simply readjusting the ifs drop down brackets! the off-road shop said that on a FORD you could go up to a 8 inch lift for you would have to start lowering the transfer case or run into any problems? he drives his daily and has had no trouble with it! he used 3 inch blocks in the rear to lift it! also be sure you use steel lift blocks the aluminum ones will not hold up very well in off-roading

 

OH yeah! on my post above i forgot to mention that you have to cut or chisel the rivets that hold the tracking arm brackets and install the new longer ones in the kit you do not have to lenghthen the driveline at all

 

Ftrucks, what brand of lift did he use? I like the idea of being able to go from 4-6 inch because I have not yet decided which one I want.
Rich, I built a couple houses down that way this summer. The guy I worked for does a lot of work down there, he lives in East Haven. I know all too well about trying to keep a black truck clean. Mine is black too, except after this past storm it is pretty white. It was so faded, it was gray when I bought it in 94. Some #7 polish and wax made it looking new again. Unfortunately, there was a hail storm a few months later, and it looks like someone hit it a thousand times with a ball point hammer. Since then, there have been many other off-road bruises and the like. I wish I was as lucky as you, Pastmaster. I just can't find anyone to hit my truck, and hurt it only cosmetically and not hurt me. I like not worrying about scratching it though.
I have researched this lift thing for a long time, so I am at the point of just doing it. I know everything involved, and most of the options. I am going to look at an 89 F350, so I will either play with that thing, or lift my truck.
Rich, you go wheeling at all in CT?

------------------
Rob
89 F150 4X4
300 I-6, 5 spd
For Off Road Driving

 

Hey F-trucks, does your brother have any pictures of his truck after he lifted. I have a 96 and I want to do the same thing, but am looking for someone that has done it.
Thanks

 

Hey guys
hows it going? I already have a 3 in body on my 92 and i am now interested in probably a 4 in suspension lift what is the cheapest way i can do this, how much is it for a couple of bigger coils up front? Can i just make a couple of blocks and buy new u bolts for the back?
thanks guys talk to yall later,
jb

------------------
Built Ford Tough
Check out my truck at <A HREF="http://www.geocities.com/fattron/jb.html
" TARGET=_blank>www.geocities.com/fattron/jb.html
</A>

[This message has been edited by JordanB (edited 02-23-2000).]