Hi guys. The only place around here that can do my 3" spindle lift wants $750 for the kit and $500 to install it. OUCH!!! He said he would not install a kit that I purchased from Truck Performance or 4Wheel parts warehouse. I don't have access to a lift so it looks like I will be out $1,300 and no new tires to fill up those wheel wells, I can't afford those too. It does not include an alignment either. Does anyone know of a place in the Tampa/St Petersburg Florida area that might have a better price? This was for a Fabtech spindle only up front and blocks in the back, no control arms or coils. For the blocks in the back, should they be 1 1/2" or 2"? I want to keep the truck level and eventually put on 285's. Does anyone know how much this will effect my towing? Sorry for all of the questions, but I am having a hard time finding options. Any and all help will be appreciated. Bluefish97

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'97 F150 XLT SC 4X2 4.6L Moonlight Blue Century Cap 265/75/16 Firestone Wilderness A/T

 

That's not the worst price for the spindles, but that installation will kill ya. I don't know about anything in the Tampa area because I don't live over there, but I don't know why they woulnd't install those 2 names on your truck. What brand do they want you to put on your truck?? That's pretty dumb, but I guess you can't argue with them. You could always just shop around and find someone else to do it for you. As for the towing, it won't effect it much. Your torque won't change any, but your acceleration will be much slower. Because you are higher off of the ground, it will pick up slower, but once you get going it should ne riding smooth. Hope you can work it all out, let me know how it turns out!

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1999 super cab
white with tan bottom
4x2 automatic
4.6L v8
BFG AT TA KO 265/75
WAAG grillguard
2 KC daylighters
vampire remote start combo alarm
steelhorse nerf bars
Husky chrome toolbox
4 pioneer 3 way 6x8's
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wants: 2 chamber flowmaster dual exhaust
tan fender flares
american racing atlas
2" fabtech suspension leveling kit

 

My truck is haveing its spindles put on as we speak at 4wheelparts here in austin.. they had a speacal this month with free installs on all fabtech kits... My total cost was $780.....

 

bluefish-

the labor sounds a little steep, but what really blows me away is the spindle price. I just put on the new Fabtech 3.5" spindles and that kit ran me $500, including blocks. after shocks and labor it was just about $1000. I'd shop around a bit. Put the extra money towards your tires.

I put 1.5" blocks in the rear, and the truck is pretty much level...but I think I would actually like the look better with only a 1" block.

I just added 33" BFG's with only a 3.08 gear ratio and my tow power is down a bit, on a 3000lb. boat, but it does not struggle. I really feel the difference without towing anything...I need new gears next...damn.

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2000 F150 XLT 4.6L V8 Auto, SuperCab, Torreador Red Metallic, Magnaflow Cat-Back Exhaust, K&N Drop-in, Ford Bedliner, Tinted Windows, Steel Horse Billet Grill, Fabtech 3.5" Spindles, 1.5" rear blocks, 3" Body Lift, Lift Lips, 33/12.50/16.5 BFG AT's on 16.5x9.75 American Eagle 589's, Fabtech Performance Shocks, Sylvania Cool Blue Headlights

www.geocities.com/y2kf150

 

bluefish97-

Im not familiar with Tampa area but you might look into having it done in Ocala, Orl., or Gainesville. There are a few places in Ocala and there's a place outside Gainesville called Southern Off Road. Or you could drive all the way to Jax if youre real desperate because im pretty sure they have a 4wheelparts store there like JDM was talking about. Also you could go to Yahoo! and search under the yellow pages link.

 

This is a little closer to you, might want to compare

Custom 4-Wheel Drive
1975 Sherwood St # E
Clearwater, FL
(727) 449-0080

 

Thanks guys for all the info. JDM, you're killing me with that price. DGREEN, thanks for the info on keeping it level and towing. Your truck looks great. Brew, I appreciate the location. I will have to call them tomorrow and let you know how it goes. I have definitly been bit by the "lift" bug. I just hope that I can afFORD it. Did any of you guys notice a real change in driving after the lift? I figure that it will be about a month between the lift and the new tires. Maybe my wife and son will get me the tires for fathers day!! Once again, thanks to all of yall for the info. Bluefish97

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'97 F150 XLT SC 4X2 4.6L Moonlight Blue Century Cap 265/75/16 Firestone Wilderness A/T

 

Well, I called Custom 4 Wheel Drive today and they wanted $1,350 for the parts and labor to install a 3.5" spindle lift kit from Fabtech and blocks in the back. OUCH again!! Looks like the search continues for a company here in Florida that doesn't want to make a killing on me. Maybe they are trying to raise money for the state to buy new voting machines for the next election or maybe I should just keep my tires and buy a new boat instead, it might be cheaper. Bluefish97

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'97 F150 XLT SC 4X2 4.6L Moonlight Blue Century Cap 265/75/16 Firestone Wilderness A/T

 

I'd buy the lift, the tires
AND the boat....ha ha ha

Come on, it's the American Way. Who wants to waste money on things like mortgage or groceries?? Put the money where the priority is...TOYS!

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2000 F150 XLT 4.6L V8 Auto, SuperCab, Torreador Red Metallic, Magnaflow Cat-Back Exhaust, K&N Drop-in, Ford Bedliner, Tinted Windows, Steel Horse Billet Grill, Fabtech 3.5" Spindles, 1.5" rear blocks, 3" Body Lift, Lift Lips, 33/12.50/16.5 BFG AT's on 16.5x9.75 American Eagle 589's, Fabtech Performance Shocks, Sylvania Cool Blue Headlights

www.geocities.com/y2kf150

 

check with these dudes in clearwater at enginewity them might do something for ya
good ol boys u kmow what i mean

 

Ouch $1350 is pretty steep for the spindles. I got a quote from B&C, a local shop here in Houston, and was given a 1st quote of $650 for everything. Thats including installation. Who do you usually go to for your stuff? May I make a suggestion. Go with a privately owned business and keep all your truck stuff with them. After the 1st couple of purchases, you will form a relationship with the owner and you will start getting deals. Thats what I did. I only paid $109 a piece for Eagle 589 16x10's which were supposed to be 129 a piece. I didn't have to pay for mount and balance. I paid 250 instead of 275 for Westin Chrome Nerf Bars and I paid $400 for a complete re-gear to 4.10's. Believe me, in the end, it pays off!

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1997 Ford F-150
4.2 L V-6
Thrush Turbo Tube catback exhaust
K&N Air Filter
Window Tint
Pioneer 7000R CD player
2 Rockford Fosgate DVC HX2 10's
Rockford Fosgate 500a Amp
Lund bug shield
Vent Shade Vent Visors
GTS headlight blackouts
Bedliner
Chrome Toolbox
3" Body Lift
Lift Lips
305/70R16 ProComp Muds
16x10 Eagle 589
Chrome Westin Nerf Bars
4.10 Precision Gears
Custom Key racing stripes down both sides thanx to some a**hole in the HS Parking lot.
My WebPage

 

Go to this link...

http://www.truckperformance.com/prod...f1=FORD&sf2=19 98&sf3=F-150&sf4=2WD

You can get the kit for $655 there. Also, the TV show "Trucks" installed the same kit on a truck this past weekend. It looked fairly easy. A few hours work. They said you can do it in your driveway which is what I plan to do as soon as I can afford one.

 

Hey guys, thanks for all the tips. I might just have to do it myself, like you said, it doesn't look to tough. A lot of places around here won't install a lift that I bring in. They want to order it themselves. Thanks again for the info guys, see ya. Bluefish97

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'97 F150 XLT SC 4X2 4.6L Moonlight Blue Century Cap 265/75/16 Firestone Wilderness A/T