How are the coil spacers doing on the freeways cause in so. cal they are so damned bumpy its not funny, and i want to get something to level out the front but without sacrificing too much ride, cause if they aren't good, is my only option left an 900 dollar spindle lift? (out the door).

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Things to come: coil spacers, 4.10 gears, Grill
ilmagill@aol.com

 

If you're going to spend that much money, I'd suggest you spend a little more and go with something like the Fabtech 3 1/2 performance lift. I recently did, and it was well worth the bucks! Levelled the truck out, gave me a nice smooth ride on and off the road, plus giving me a couple extra inches of travel in the front. I paid a hair over $1200, out the door (including alignment)

Here's a pic of my baby now!









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-JonC-
*2000 4x2 F150 Supercab
*4.6L V8
*BFG 285/75/16 AT KO's
*16 x 8 PCW 5-spokes
*K&N GenII FIPK
*Custom Cat-back w/ Flowmaster 50 Series
*Fabtech 3.5" Performance lift
*Extang Black Max soft tonneau
*tint/vent visors/air deflector
(no, I did NOT get stuck in
the accessory dept. at K-Mart!)

 

So the fabtech system doesn't ride too bad around town?, I had heard the the 2.5 sucked it up but not too much about the 3.5, if its not too bad, it may be something to think about.

 

No, not bad at all... in fact, I'm very happy with it! I had heard the ride would be much stiffer than stock, but the difference I've noticed is just what I wanted. It keeps the truck from wallowing through turns and it steps through holes and over bumps like they weren't there! A very positive change, over all. And... if you want to go higher later on, you can always add the spindles for another 3" up front and go from the 2" blocks that come with the kit for the rear to the 4" blocks with the "Fabtech Ultimate 6 1/2" Lift" (don't let the wife know I'm even THINKING about that one!)

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-JonC-
*2000 4x2 F150 Supercab
*4.6L V8
*BFG 285/75/16 AT KO's
*16 x 8 PCW 5-spokes
*K&N GenII FIPK
*Custom Cat-back w/ Flowmaster 50 Series
*Fabtech 3.5" Performance lift
*Extang Black Max soft tonneau
*tint/vent visors/air deflector
(no, I did NOT get stuck in
the accessory dept. at K-Mart!)

 

With the coil spacers, just hope your ball joints dont quit. That's why they make the heavy duty uppercontrol arms. It'll ride smoother that the taller coils but stress out your upper ball joints.

Yes, the 3" coil is smoother, (go figure) than the 2" coil. (I shouldn't have slept through Physics class)

The 3" spindle lift will give the most conservative ride, but also needs a 4.5" max backspaced wheel.

Don't forget the add-a-leafs!!!!!!!

This will smooth out any lift. The 1 1/2" add-a-leaf is the best for smoothing.

adding all the flex in the front without helping the back end will leave you gripping your steering wheel WAY too much.

 

See my dilema was that i would be doing the spacers simply for looks since i don't off road my truck...we use my buddys 97 4x4. Is it still stressing out the joints during normal driving conditions. The other thing i wasn't sure of was the look with the 285s with another 3 inches...i can't buy new ones since these are just about new.

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Things to come: coil spacers, 4.10 gears, Grill
ilmagill@aol.com

 

If you're only doing it for looks, save the money and just stick with the spacers... If you go up another 3 - 3.5", you're going to want BIGGER tires, probably 35's at least. It happened to me! A week after I got my truck I replaced the crappy 235/70/16 American General's that Ford put on the thing with some 265/75/16 Pirelli Scorpion AT's. They looked great... UNTIL I did the 3 1/2" lift. When I went to pick my truck up from the shop, the first thing I said when I saw it was "I need bigger tires..." Won't even tell you what my better half said, she just doesn't understand.
Anyway, 5000 miles after buying the Pirellis, there I was back at the tire store trading them in on new 285/75/16 BFG AT KO's (and new wheels because I didn't want to put tires that size on the stock 16x7" wheels. BFG recommends at least an 8" wide wheel for this size? Fortunately, the guys at Discount Tires gave me $50 a piece for the Pirellis they had just sold me 4 months prior, so it made it a little less painful!
BTW... the FabTech 3.5" kit requires a wheel with a maximum 4.5" back spacing too.

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-JonC-
*2000 4x2 F150 Supercab
*4.6L V8
*BFG 285/75/16 AT KO's
*16 x 8 PCW 5-spokes
*K&N GenII FIPK
*Custom Cat-back w/ Flowmaster 50 Series
*Fabtech 3.5" Performance lift
*Extang Black Max soft tonneau
*tint/vent visors/air deflector
(no, I did NOT get stuck in
the accessory dept. at K-Mart!)

 

Yeah right now its just looks for me, which is why i was relucttent to spend the 900 - 1200 for another lift that "requires" 35's and new rims also another 1400.

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Things to come: coil spacers, 4.10 gears, Grill
ilmagill@aol.com

 

Ilmagill,

The 3.5" fabtech DOESN'T REQUIRE new rims!!

Only adding SPINDLEs requires 4.5" max backspacing.

Spacers might work for you. My experience was this. I installed 2" fabtech springs and my 60k mi. LF upper ball joint quit on the way home from the shop. Your truck is newer. It might be able to handle the stess.

I would have done spacers for that matter but I already had a set of 2" springs in the garage just sitting there.

If you get the 3.5" fabtech coil lift, with new upper control arms, cams, and 2" add-a-leaf. It should run around $899-1000. (use the 1 1/2" add-a-leaf if you like it a little nose high)

And you CAN still use your stock rims with the 285's. BFG RECOMMENDS 7.5-9.0 with 285/75/16's. Believe me, the 7.0's will work fine. The specs of the BFGoodrichtires.com website really back this up. The general rule-of-thumb is 2" over on each side max. That tire is barely over 11" to begin with.(11.3 - .2 for .5" of rim = 11.1")

Personally, I'd try the coil spacers first. If it works, cool. $200 vs. $1000.

However, The 3.5" coil kit w/add-a's is the bullet proof way to go. Then when you get the urge later just add the spindles and BANG, you're at 6.5" ultimate.

Anyone out there selling any 285's?

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97 Super Cab

 

I beg you pardon there, Mr. White Monkey... I am looking at both the installation sheet AND the box the upper control arms for the 3.5" Fabtech come in. BOTH clearly state that this kit requires a wheel with a maximum 4.5" backspacing! Don't know what you are basing your claim that they don't on, but I think I'll believe the manufacturers claim first!
I will agree though that they don't require NEW wheels... I pulled off my stock 16x7 wheels and measured the backspacing myself. Sure enough, it's 4 1/2" on the nose!

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-JonC-
*2000 4x2 F150 Supercab
*4.6L V8
*BFG 285/75/16 AT KO's
*16 x 8 PCW 5-spokes
*K&N GenII FIPK
*Custom Cat-back w/ Flowmaster 50 Series
*Fabtech 3.5" Performance lift
*Extang Black Max soft tonneau
*tint/vent visors/air deflector
(no, I did NOT get stuck in
the accessory dept. at K-Mart!)

 

The spacers I want to get are only gonna be about 1.5 so.... I am doing this one completely for looks because for me its becomming possible that a 4x4 might find its way into my hands so I am becoming reluctant about putting a kick *** lift on. The reason why i said i needed new tires and rims were...im not sure if it would look ok with only 285's on if i had gotten either the 3in spindles or the 3.5in fabtech. But thanks for you input guys.

 

I stand corrected.

Sorry for the confusion.

The guy at 4 wheels parts had told me the spindles were a tighter fit than the coils.

I suppose I've been had there.

So, that being so, I'd definately do the spindles. The 285's will look fine.

Spindles would be easier to pull off and sell later if you get the 4WD model.

Plus, It's supposed to be the most comfortable ride.

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97 Super Cab

 

I think i'm gonna try the spacers first...the cams are somewhat expensive and they can be reused if the spacers don't work out and i have to go with the spindles thus lower the cost of the spindles a bit.