First off just want to say hello and that you guys have a great forum going here with lots of good info...and lots of good looking trucks!! I am a long time ford owner (just Mustangs until now) and I recently purchased a 2008 F150 Reg. Cab 2WD SB. I would like to get the truck up in the air a little...like 3 or 4 inches so that I can put 33's on it without rubbing and make it look right. I saw on Fat Bob's garage..there is a 3" kit that includes front spacers/levelers and a rear add a leaf, and from what I read the spacers give a full 3 in lift..while the add a leaf rear is 1.5-2.5 lift depending on the truck. This should help level the truck as well then correct?? What are my other options for this lift (either 3 or 4 inch) on a 2WD,spindles...blocks..etc and is one way better than the other in terms of maintaining a good pinion angle and not destroying ball joints? Thanks in advance for any help!!

~Andy

 

I'm glad you asked, because I just ordered my F150, which should be here in about a month, and I had planned on "leveling" it to. However, I was under the impression that because the back of these trucks is so much higher, that a 3" front end lift "by itself" was all that was needed to level it.... With nothing done to the rear.

If in fact the front end is "only" 1/2" to 1 1/2" lower than the rear, then that's all I want to lift it. My truck is not a 4wd, and I'm not trying to pretend like it is. I just want it level, and maybe only a "slight" lift to accomadate my 285/70-17's {which I have heard will fit with little, or no lift anyway}

Can anybody help out Drew and myself ?

Thanks,
Fish

 

First of all a 3 inch spacer will put too big of an angle on your ball joints. The biggest you should go would be a 2.5. (Thats what I have). The front end will be a little taller then the rear but it is hardly noticable. I have also heard that a 2 inch level work fine in order to fit 33's. I plan on getting some 285/70/17's. There are many guys on here with that setup. It'll look awesome.

 

absolutely right

 

I agree. Your only other lift options are a 3 inch body lift or go with a full 6 inch suspension lift. A 2 or 2.5 inch leveling kit will allow you to fit 33's using your oem wheels.

 

Thanks for the info guys!!! Looks like I will start with the levelers and go from there. I have a feeling I will eventually end up going all out on a 6" lift..you know how it is when you start modding a vehicle..lol. So when you said 33's on "stock" rims does that include a 17 or 18 inch OEM alloy because I have the darn plain jane steel wheels (XL model) and wanted to get some XLT or FX4 rims or something along those lines. What about aftermarket rims..I would think any 8 inch wide rim with the correct offset/backspacing would work?? Sorry for so many newbie type questions...and I do appreciate all the advice from you guys that have "been there and done that".

~Andy

 

RIght, all of the oem 17 and 18 inch wheels are 7.5 inches wide and have 5.5 inches of backspacing. You will be able to fit 33's using and aftermarket wheel that is 8 inches wide with 5.5 inches of backspacing. However, that is a very hard item to find. It just seems that most aftermarket off road style wheels for the 04-08's have too little backspacing.

 

Just to let you know, I have an 08 Reg cab and have found that a 2" AutoSpring will level it perfectly. No modification is needed to the back. I am ordering mine today. I have been searching this board and picking it's members brains until I finally found a 2wd with only a 2" level kit on it and it looks perfect. He was able to get 295x70x17's on stock wheels on it too which is what I am shooting for.

 

could you share a pic. cause i kinda want to do the same thing

 

I'm not sure about the 08's but i fit 295x75xR15 pro-comps on my 93' with no rubbing an no lifting, it is pretty tight near the front, if you turn the steering wheel all the way you can almost fit a quarter in between the front bumper and the tire.

 

I have an '06 xlt and I was able to fit 285/70/17's after i installed a the 2" AS leveling kit. And my truck sits as close to perfectly level as i'm going to get.