Okay, so I talked to the mechanic my dad has been taking his cars and trucks to for the past 15 years or more, and he looked at it and said the CV angle is fine, since it's designed the way it is... He said I should absolutely no problems w/ my 4WD. Also, he commented on the lower A-Arm, saying that he would rather see it straight, but that its not bad. He did say, however, that I should be watching my tires to make sure they wear evenly (so not an abnormal amount of outside half of tire wear). After this I went over to We Do Trucks. They are the ones who installed the 3" level kit for me. One of the guys, Chris, came out and looked up under my truck. He said that everything looked good, and that I shouldn't have any problems w/ it. He also said that I should be able to get a 3" rear block and Nitto Terra Graplers 305/55/R20's under there for about 1600 installed, balanced and all that good stuff... I will be doing this next May.

 

oh, I thought this might clear up some questions... in my original post I had said that I hear metal crunching noises... ya, I was being stupid... I didn't really let it engage all the way I think... so I shouldnt have any issues... if I do, I guess I do, but I will try and be a pioneer for the 3" and see what it can and - probably unfortunately - can't do performance wise.

 

Just run it until it breaks! If it don't, Great!
If it does, there a parts house in Raleigh!


Good luck

BTW, I'm also in Raleigh

 

Hey, that rhymed. lol... Yep... hopin for the running great, and not break I do however expect my ball joints to wear out, but I could care less about the ball joints, b/c from what I hear its about 800 or so get new ball joints and have them installed by a mechanic... its also ~$600 for the Camburg a-arm and ball joints, plus ~$200 for install, and those shouldnt wear out.... So I fully expect the ball OEM ball joints to wear out within the next 3 years, but I will replace them w/ Camburg's.... just some food for thought for anybody out there worried about their ball joints, etc...

 

I too was plannig on replacing them pro-actively. Was wondering what brands to go with, thanx.

 

Hey about to put a 3 inch leveling kit on my 2004 FX4 and a add a leaf to rear will that help with the angles up front..

 

No your angles will still be bad. The AAL kit only raises the rear so you don't have any rear end sag.

 

Here are some pics of my recent install. You can see the upper control arm and spring hit at full droop. I've heard complaints about the angles but never heard anything about this. Check it out:

 

yep... i put some plastidip (i think that's what it's called) from Lowes Hardware on there to prevent it from rusting anymore... it had pealed off the coating on coil springs

 

Does Camburg make a beter ball joint? Who sells them, what is the difference from the OEM?

 

Another question about the blocks: I bought the 3" just as you and a 3 inch block for the back, I put a hard top tonnaeu cover on and now the rake is almost gone so I am worried about the sag when I actually install them. Can I just install the 3" blocks on top the existing 2 inch blocks that are already on there so I can keep about a 1" rake? Let me know anyone. Sorry for adding to your post on this but I felt it was good info if anyone had any input on this.

 

Ive had a 3 inch for 3 years now. No problems. The only time i ever heard any noises from the 4x4 was when it was engaged and i guess the wheels were still spinning a little bit, and clunk. Thats the only time though.

 

you're good man... ummm as far as your question goes... I wouldn't don't know about stacking blocks in the rear. I know you could get an add a leaf... but I would think that the 3" rear block would be enough to get the rake back in into it...

 

Ya man, me too... only problem I ever had it with - so far anyways.... I put it in 4wd when I was in some mud and the back tires were spinning but not the front... I wasnt moving anywhere, the mud had made the vehicle stop, but my back tires were still spinning, and when I switched to 4Hi I heard a nasty metal click/pop noise and then it engaged :/ it almost made me sick when I heard it - but everything is fine with it... I got unstuck.

I think it was 100% my fault on this one and not related to the level kit - cause I should've let the back tires stop spinning b4 I engaged the 4wd.... but it was night time, I was in a hurry to get out, and i didn't think through it.

 

Thanks MAN!!