I am considerig leveling my 2010 FX4 SuperCrew (Shocker!), and have pretty much decided on an AutoSpring kit. However, I am not sure which to go with. I measured my truck and the front seems to be about 2.5 - 2.75 inches lower than the rear (with the gas tak nearly full). I have read about leveling kits till I am blue in the face but have been coming up with mixed results.

Some say the 2" levelig kit provided 2" of level...other have said that it provided closer to 2.5 inches of level. Same issue with the 1.5" leveling kit. Some say it is exactly 1.5", while one post I read the user stated it raised his front end 2.25". Is there a definitive amount of lift, or is it a grab bag?

I don't mind a very slight rake, as long as it is hardly noticable. What I DON'T want is the nose high look. Also, I heard that anything above 1.5" starts to really put undue stress on the front suspension and whatnot....while other times I have read that anything over 2" does...or 2.5" does....etc.. I drive with my wife and two children in the car so I don't want to do something to the truck that could really risk safety.

Are there any hard and fast rules with regards to leveling kits or is it a "get what's close and hope for the best" sort of deal? It's confusing. lol

Any recommendations?

Thanks for your time!

 

click link in sig. click level truck picture thread in said link.

 

Don't go over 2.5 inches. Whether you go 1.5, 2 or 2.5 is up to you. I'd base it on what size tire you want to run. If you want 35's go with the 2.5 inch kit and if you feel the front is too high, add a lift block out back.

 

Personally I would go with 2" kit which should give close to 2 1/2 " . Had 2" inmy 05 androve about 80,000 miles with NO trouble . Just my 2 cents

 

id go 2.5" with either a block or aal for the rear

 

Thanks for the thoughts, all!

I don't think I will ever go over 33" tires. I am leanig towards the 1.5" just so I know I won't have to go back and a block or AAL in the rear (little bit less kooky geometry as well, even if only a 1/5"). Still trying to decide.

 

X2 for this. at least do a 2"

 

I am pretty sure that the '10 front suspension is the same as my '09. If so, DONT GO WITH A 2.5" or higher! I have a 2" AS kit on my 4x4 SCREW. Notice the angle of my upper control arm, and the scar on the spring where the control arm strikes it. (The truck is not on a jack in this picture, full weight on wheels.)

Also, notice how it sits nose high with the 2" kit. Can you imagine what the control arm (and ball joint) angle would look like with a 2.5" or higher kit? Or how high the nose would sit? If I were doing this again, I would go with a 1.5" kit, or even better, use the Bilstein 5100 leveling shock kit.

I have installed air springs in the back, which help with towing my travel trailer and make the truck sit level (5 PSI) or 1/2" rear-high (15 PSI).

 

I agree, 2" max or even a 1 1/2" if you want to retain a little rake.

 

Thanks for the info, guys.

I measured my truck again last night and the rear is almost exacatly 2.5 higher than the front.

I heard that AS leveling kits don't always level to the point dictated by the size, ie, some 2" users are gettig 2.5 inches, etc.. While users of the HBS kit seem to get exactly what is published for the size of the level (2" is 2", etc..) Any truth to this?

Thanks again for the help!

 

I don't know about other brands. If I remember correctly, the AS 2" kit is 1 3/8" thick and the 1.5" kit is 1 3/16 thick. The 2" kit raised my front about 2.5". With either one, I rrecommend air spings in the back if you haul or tow a lot if weight; otherwise you will be very nose high. With mine, I can sit dead level empty, and with a dozen pumps with a bicycle pump on each side, sit dead level with a 960 lb tongue sitting on my hitch. They also give a stiffer ride when towing without affecting the ride when not. (Can't really tell they are there at 5 psi, except the .5" lift.)

Don't forget to get an alignment after installing; your toe will be off.

 

Thanks, 2009!

I won't be towing anything. I think the 1.5" might be my best bet. I am almost exactly at 2.5" of rake as it sits now, but I don't have my spare under the truck (its on the truck. lol). I just don't want to get the wrong kit and end up having to redo it or add a block. lol I would be ok with a tiny bit of rake. Looks like the 1.5" would fit the bill.

I wonder quite a few AS users report 2.5" of lift with the 2" kit while quite a few Hell Bent Steel users report almost exactly 2" of lift with the 2" kit. Strange.

 

I had Autospring 1 1/2 kit installed and it was right at 2 " when done . Check out pics and see if its what you are looking for.

 

Looks great!

I spoke with AS today and they were saying that their kits will settle up to 1/2 inch over the course of about 2 weeks after install. That while a 1.5 or 2.0 inch kit may be 1/2 a inch bigger when installed than what the kit lists for, it should actually lower in height up to 1/2 inch bringing it dow to what ther kit lists it as.

Any experience with this?

 

Yea, technically it should sag some as it re-settles, how much though is different with every truck.