I have recently gotten enough holiday money to finally get some more work done to my truck and I've got my heart set on a very reasonably priced 3" leveling kit manufactured by Hell Bent Steel. I was wondering if anyone had any feed back about their products, like problems or praise, or anything in between. Anything would be greatly appreciated! Oh and I found some sick powder coated black exhaust tips at my local muffler shop and I'm getting those put on as well. I'll have pictures up soon.

 

Don't get a 3", its way too much and it'll destroy front end components. Read the sticky at the top of this section for more info on why.

 

The 2.5 and the 3 were the same price, so I was just trying to get more for my money but now I see why not to get the 3 inch. I appreciate the feedback man, and your truck looks good, love that bumper.

 

I looked at the hellbent as well, probably what I am going with, well the 2.5 billet alluminum. 3" is way too much on ball joints and cv boots and joints, from what my mechanic at the FD said, and hes a certified Ford mechanic. I like the one pice billet vs. the other brands offset bolt patterns, looks stronger

 

i've run a readylift 2.5" for 3 weeks and just now my drivers cv axle boot ripped so pick your poison bud, not all trucks are the same due to diffrent mods and suchyou may have better luck with a 2.5"...considering a 4" rancho lift now

 

Yep, modding just about anything will decrease reliability to an extent and vehicle to vehicle is different. Mine has had a 3" on it for 30k miles without the slightest issue but it could tear yours up in 500 miles. I would do a 6" lift but I spend half my time with a 20ft bass boat behind me so I'm trying to be nice to my transmission and mileage.

 

The lift isn't what will ruin your transmission. You can run a 12" lift on factory wheel and you won't lose any power. The tires are whats decreasing power. Running 35's on a leveing kit or on a 6" lift will have the same results.

 

i have the 3 in hell bent steel in my truck...have had it for about 10k miles so far

ive taken it wheeling plenty of times and no problems so far

 

Sounds like you've been lucky so far then, but it's still not a good idea.

 

i baby mines and look what happened i hardly use 4x4 so i should be fine till i get a real lift

i agree with pizzaman it ain't recommended but smaller is safer/ pay to play etc. i considered rancho quicklift and 1" daystar up top and leave it along but that ain't happening

 

my suspension hasn't been modified other than a spacer in front and add-a leaf in back, if this gives you a starting point.

i've put about 30k on my 2.5 inch, no issues at all. it's a steel offset spacer that allows more unrestrained movement of the components involved. just can't remember who makes the thing anymore, it's been so long......

 

I have had the 2.5" alluminum one for nearly two years now. its great. the price was good i had a shop put it on and have had no problems. make sure to get an allinment too. oh and no need for 3". with the 2.5" i can still fit 35's with no problems other than bad gas milage. hope this is what you are looking for. good luck man

 

Here is mine that I just put on. No rubbing and so far so good. My level has an offset angle not bolt pattern so the struts maintain their factory angles and dont rub upper arm.

 

Fine Style....
sorry but IMO ReadyLift is junk... I bought that for my toyota tundra (before my f150) and same thing happened. Called ReadyLift and they said that I should have had the diff. drop kit installed...I told them that the bolts never came with my kit and I had ripped both cv boots. I ended up just removing the readylift spacers and sending them back. Their customer service was no help in my situation. They didn't want to help pay for the new cv axels I had to put in which I felt was their fault since the diff. drop kit was not sent with my kit.

Either way I'm much happier with my ford...

sorry for the rant

 

Wow! Thanks for the heads up man. It's probably due my fault also for not researching enough, but if other people like yourself are having this issue with other vehicles and such then it something that should be addressed. they were missing my upper mount bolts and shipped them that day and arrived the day after which i was impressed. So to the OP don't let my bad experience hold you back from getting a level!! either way good learning experience for me, thanks alot for the heads up Nick