Ok, My truck is an 04 F-150 ext 6.5" bed 2wd. I am curious about leveling kits. I just want the front level with the rear, not huge change in the rear height if I were to do one, prefferable none... if that's possible. Second, does it effect the truck's wear for the various suspension components and change ride quality when installing a leveling kit. Lastly which one would best match my needs and how much will it cost, nothing crazy expensive. Any help appreciated

 

Do you want to lower the rear or lift the front? Neither one will change the ride quality. If you lift the front, it will increase ball joint angles which will increase wear and tear slightly. Lowering shackles for the rear won't cause any increase in wear and tear.

 

In that case, possibly lower the rear... How is that done?

 

Most suspension companies make lowering shackles.

 

Is that hard to do, and can you do it yourself. How much do they cost as well?

 

Not too expensive at all. You can get drop shackles at various site from an array of manufacturers, some dropping from 1-2". Most kits I have seen listed have ranged from about $60 to $100.
If you have some basic knowledge and ability you should be able to do the job yourself. Will probably need a hydraulic jack, some jack stands, and probably a breaker bar in case the shackle bolts are really rusty. Soaking all the bolts in advance with a good penetrating oil will probably be helpful too.

I have been considering the same thing with my truck; level it by raising the front, or dropping the rear. Since it would look odd with the factory 17's w/ original sized tires and require an alignment, dropping the rear looks to be a better option; especially with the way my truck looks right now.

 

Yeah that doesn't sound that bad. I'll have to do some more reasearch, but it would make the 17"s look better instead of that huge gap at the rear wheels well.

 

If you ever plan to get slightly larger tires I would suggest the front leveling kit, but I agree, something has got to be done to get rid of the factory rake in these trucks.

 

I'm going to do 20's with low pro tires next year, not offroad ones. Will I be ok?

 

By the sounds of it you just need a lowering shackle and you will be happy. Here is my 07 with a 2" lowering shackle. It sits close to level.
Here is the one I bought.....It is a nice piece and a good deal. http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/2-INC...Q5fAccessories

 

How was the install?

 

They are super easy, it only took me about a half hour. It takes longer to jack the truck up, put it on stands and get the tires off than it does to istall the shackles, lol.

 

Frycrew - Looks good!

That's why I'm pretty much decided on dropping the butt of mine. I'd love to lift the truck, but I'd still like it to fit in my garage when I want to do some work on it, or give it a waxing. Besides, with the FX2 valance I put on, it would look better lowered vs. lifted.

 

Ok, I might consider that now, btw, your truck does look very nice :Thumbsup: