They've already been slotted per Belltech's recommendation. He can get it to align, but it just won't hold it with the suspension loaded. He said you can tell where the bolts just slide - no matter how tight he gets them.

I assume I'm a little over 4" in the front since I'm using 2wd struts. I'm just wondering if I raise it .5" or 1" if it will help.

 

Sounds like the bolts are bottoming on the threads and not pinching like they should. What alighnment place is this?

 

It's a possibility, but when we installed it they had plenty of thread left. I don't see him getting it tight enough to bottom them out, as he would have to really crank them down. It's a local place called Wilk's Tire. They've done quite a few of my vehicles so I don't doubt their work.

 

Hmm, strange. I would call Belltech and see what they have to say. Hope you get it figured out and don't have to undo the lift.

 

It is strange, and I don't really want to lift it any but we'll see. I'm going to call BT on my lunch break and see what they have to say. Also checking with Tony@TBSS to see if he has any suggestions.

 

Well, I just got back from talking with the alignment guy. My problems are tie rod ends being too long, and where we slotted for alignment the bolts don't want to grab. The bolts are not bottoming out, and he said he put some *** behind tightening them. He says once it gets jarred one good time it will probably come out of alignment.

Any input is welcomed. I'm calling Belltech now to see what they suggest.

 

Switch out the bolts that keep coming loose with an ARP stud and some red Loctite or other brand of liquid locker. Another thought is check and see if Stage 8 fasteners have what you want. They are great on headers for not backing out.

 

I'll probably end up doing that whether it stays this low or gets lifted a little. I just got off the phone with Belltech tech - They said it's just too low for a 4wd and it needs to come up atleast an inch. He said the fact that I used a 2wd strut and had it set at 3" got roughly 4" of drop. He also said basically that's why it wouldn't hold an alignment. Not exactly what I wanted to hear since I love the stance as is. I'm beginning to think I should have just gone with DJM arms instead of the struts.

 

I believe that with the 3 1/2" DJM arms they tell you to cut the rod ends off because the end up being too long.

 

Here's my build from beginning to end basically - still no detailed up pics but I will have some soon. I also posted this i street scene, so I'm just copy and pasting.

Here are some install tips/pic from my 2007 Lariat SCrew 4x4. I looked at trading for a 2wd, but there wasn't anything very nice my my area and I didn't want to trade down. So, I bit the bullet and went for it. There was a little trial and error, but nothing too bad, haha.

Parts list:
Belltech Struts part# 25001
Belltech SP Shocks part# 2212EE
DJM Flip 4"

Here are the before pics - 35x12.50 Federal Couragia, HBS 2.5" level. DJM 1" lift shackles





Here's some random install pics.









These are the pics of my HBS lift spacers - the passenger side didn't fare too well. The passenger is on the left, and driver on the right.





Here's how she sat at full drop. 2wd struts set for 3" drop which is equal to 4" on a 4x4, and a 5" flip which ended up being 6".









Now here's why i could stay at full drop, the front axles just didn't want to work with me very well. I was afraid once they got a pretty good shock they'd be gone.

Passenger




Driver




Now, were are at 2.5" total drop in the front, and 5" in the rear in these pics.









The front axles have a better angle on them for sure now.

Passenger


Driver


I don't have any current pics of it cleaned up, but it's at 2.5" in the front with struts, and 4" in the rear with a flip and hangers. Here are the most current as I was in a hurry to get finished. I'll update with some clean/finished stance pics soon.

 

Gabriel Air Shocks. About $70, complete control over ride height in the back, with weight and without. I ran the valves out through my license plate holes, just add a little air when I put something heavy in the back, it keeps it level and keeps from bottoming.
Chris

 

I almost went that route, but ended up ordering a Slam Air kit for it. I got a compressor cheap off of a buddies bagged truck, so she'll have on board air too.

The pic with the atv and coolers in the back was 800# give or take some. Amazingly it only hit the bump stops on a big *** pothole I couldn't miss.

 

Oh, that's even better. I didn't want to spent that kind of cash. I actually had Gabriels on my old Dakota, wired to a cheap onboard compressor with gauge, but they want too much for the same setup now. And this truck isn't a hauler, it's my toy, getting a supercharger in the garage as we speak.

 

That'll be nice for sure. I'd love to beef up the t/c and front axles on mine and turbo it. It sure would hurt some feelings. Mine is basically a d/d, toy hauler, and it pulls the Lightning to the races or track, or wherever we race, haha.

 

Lol. Or pull it with the Lightning.
I wanted a lightning bad, but they were too much for a nice one. So I looked for a 2x4 F150 to turn into a Lightning, the two I looked at were way too much money ($4400) and beat, so I grabbed a 4x4 in great shape for $5000 and figured I would just deal with it, plus be able to drive it in the winter if I want. I have it low, but not so bad that it isn't usable. Plus with the big wheels I can lift it back up a little and still look good.