It’s amazing how much you can learn from searching through these forums and just reading post after post about everything. It’s pretty addicting too...

Anyways, I’ve got a 2005 4.6 SCrew 2wd with stock 17ins... and I’ve been going back and forth on what to do to my truck to make it moderately more aggressive and well, cool. So, since I’ll find any excuse to avoid studying for my finals, I wanted to summarize what I’m planning on doing and I would appreciate any input you guys got. Hopefully it’s not too repetitive from older posts. (I’m by no means an expert, so if I’ve got something completely wrong let me know!)

Here are my options; keeping in mind my ultimate goal is to run 33'' nittos on my stock 17 rims.

---Suspension lift - no, why? $1400 kit uninstalled and don’t want to deal with warranty issues.
---Daystar & Airspring leveling kits - no, why? Premature wear and warranty issues.

I think these deal with coil spacers or bigger coil springs, which assert more pressure on..(something) and alters the tire angle, causing premature tread wear and maybe something to do with the ball joints
(I really wanted just a simple daystar 2.5'' leveling kit at the start of this process but if the above stuff is true it wouldn’t work out, but please feel free to correct me and add in proper terminology, lol)

---3'' PA body lift - This might be the winner.
This basically is what I need. A small, cheap lift that will let me run those 33''s. I’ve read the 2 extremes on this issue. People who can’t stand body lifts, b/c they’re crap and look like ****. Then the dudes who are happy with their lifts and recommend them. (Wandell your f150 pics helped shape my opinion on body lifts, ) in the end a body lift seems perfect for what I want. I get the 3'' and can run my 33''s w/o breaking the bank.

The only problem is that the truck wouldn’t be level.

For anyone else who is searching for the same thing, the best price I found was:
Performance accessory 3'' body lift #70063
Performancelift.com @ $269 w/ free shipping

---Lastly... Spindle lifts. According to an explanation my roommate gave me, these are also another positive option. They lower your spindles without affecting angles or suspension, therefore also won’t void the warranty. However more information on these would be helpful. I can’t find a ballpark price for a spindle kit. This would level out the truck I believe, but every post I read concerning these also talked about adding leafs or blocks to raise the rear? Does this spindle lift raise the front too much? An explanation would be helpful!

So, this is basically my general understanding of the popular options for lifting / leveling my 2wd truck. I have some questions below for some specifics I couldn’t find solid answers for…
Basically a ‘spindle lift for dummies’ explanation would be good w/ a ballpark price range for a kit that would fit my truck.

The body lift is concerning me b/c if I get the body lift done, my truck will still not be level. If anyone has an opinion or better yet a picture of a non leveled, new body f150 w/ 3in body lift that would be sweet. I figure it will look fine with the 33's, but I’m not 100% sure yet.

I read something about insurance coverage being void on body lifts because the bumper is moved from the factory position. I emailed my insurance company to find out if this was true or not. I’ll update once I get an answer.

With body lift kits I know there is a steerage extension you have to use, but some dude at firestone was gripping to me about how body lifts are the devil and how it can stretch a bunch of stuff including brake lines etc... I didn’t really pay attention because he kept going on about how stupid they look and frankly disagree with that... but if there’s an issue concerning brakes I would like to know.

So, unleveled with 3in body lift & 33''s or leveled w/ spindle lift & 33''s

Thanks for reading, it’s a long *** post but it would help me out and I’m sure it will for others as well. Feel free to post a link to a different thread if my questions have already been asked & answered elsewhere.

 

Nice post. I am basically in the same situation. How much of a hassle is it to install that 3" body lift? And how many things would you have to replace, or does everything you need come in the kit? I hate the idea of potentially doing damage to my truck just for looks.

 

If you go with a name brand kit itll supply everything you need. i personally plan on getting a shop to install mine, unless i can find a weekend to go home and then my brother and i will do it. As a DIY project you probably want to set aside a weekend.

 

ok, if u go with fabtech, it will not affect your warranty, as ford using them for your lift, i just ordered mine yesterday for 1238 on fourwheelonline.com, free shipping

 

by the way, there are no makers yet for the 04-06 body still for a spindle lift. if u call fabtech or any other lift company, they will tell u it wont work. it drops everything out of line with out the use of a drop down bracket. its a little diff then on the 03 and previous years

 

one more thing, when u get a body lift, bumpers do not move unless u get a custom bracket to have them moved up

 

Do a Fabtech spindle lift, it will give you 3.5in. of lift, you can use the stock rims, there is enough backspacing, and a 2in. block in the rear if you want it level. it will run you about $800, installed is more, but if you have a few tools and some know how, it can be done byurself very easily, and you will learn about your truck while installing, also good time to get new wheel bearings and such. I beat the living crap out of my spindles while i had them and they are know on my sisters truck. I would say put in some Bilstien 5100's for $80 a piece and you would have a very clean and functional set up. also much more ground clearance than a crossmember lift. Which everyone and their mother has...Literaly. Oh and you will fit 33's easily, i was running 35's with minor trimming. worst case, take your front bumper off, throw some washers on the bolts and bolt it back up, it will push it out enough for no rubbing and still look the same. I would put pics up, but mine had fiberglass fenders on it and wouldnt give a good idea of what you would have

 

04-07s... no spindle lifts made yet

 

Oh and im pretty positive fab tech has a spindle for it, if they dont, Cst will, and it should bolt up, most say it will only work woth the xmember lift to make more $$$. All the spindle is doing is dropping the snout, so you lower mount will be the same, and the upper will be more level, but it will not affect anything.

 

yah they both make spindles but with this new body style u cant use them alone, its messes up the cv joint and will blow out a ball joint it months with anything over 2.5 " of lift without a drop down bracket

 

Also there is Camburg, they have bolt in coilovers replacment, which you can adjust your lift from 0-3in. depending on where you turn the coil. plus it will be a better ride to do a way better shock (sway-away). For $1000 it will include the wrench needed to turn you coils to your prefered ride height, and dirt-bagz covers if you want. I believe Donahoe has the same thing.

 

but y do that when for 100 u can get the same amount of lift with 2.5 spacer

 

Is that on 2 or 4 wheel drive though with the CV joint?

 

the coil overs will provide a better ride due to better valving of the shock, and they are much better than a body lift. Plus you will gain more wheel travel.

 

well they both have cv joints...