I have a 2004 F150 Lariat. B/c of my stupid 18" rims I'm pretty limited on mud tire choices. I've read that going to a leveling kit on the front and then running 35" tires I WILL rub at full lock on the front. How bad is this rubbing? Is it really at full lock only or will I rub on tight turns that aren't full lock? Also, I carry my 600lb atv in the back a lot. Will I rub any there? Will it look retarded sagging in the back with the leveling kit up front? Anybody have pics of that?

 

it will only rub at full lock. i towed two 2 seat wave runners, a couple coolers of beer, gear etc in the bed and the truck was still dead level...i do not have an add-a-leaf.
pass. side- you can see the rub areas on the upper CA, Lower CA, and frame


driver's side- same rub areas: upper Ca, lower Ca, frame


looking at the back of the pass. side assembly (sway bar rub)

 

Is the rubbing eating at your tires any or is it just annoying? Anyone running the skyjacker 3" suspension lift? Does it still rub with 35" tires on it?

 

no, the tires are still in perfect condition on the inner edge- i pay special attention to it every time i rotate (every 3k). you know when you hit it, as the lugs vibrate against the upper arm-- just annoying.

 

I'd suggest avoiding the 3 inch Skyjacker lift. Not only is it way more expensive than a leveling kit, it creates some really extreme ball joint angles. I'd go with a 2.5 inch Autospring leveling kit. If you want your rear a little higher, add a taller lift block.

 

Hey Wandell, How is this body lift worse than a 2.5" AS. I understand it's another .5", but why is that so much worse? Body lifts are really common. Is it just the Skyjacker lift that is dangerous? Please inform me.

 

Hey BalogUK, I'm sitting here watching Heroes and your hometown pops up. They are tracking down a woman with super sensitive hearing there in Bozeman. Were they actually on location there? You might be a celebrity!

 

I would listen to wandell, i've been on here for a little bit now, and he really know his stuff... if any concerns or wonders, ask wandell!!!!!!

 

the skyjacker, while only .5" inches more actually increases the amount of lift much more- if you look at the first two pics up above, the angle of the upper control arm is already pretty steep- with three inches, the potential problems begin to multiply- if you went to a true body lift, you would be much better off than a semi-body lift-semi leveling kit...

2.5" is really pushing the limit on the amount of lift that can be achieved without a true suspension lift-- replacing the spindles, new coilovers etc...




ktexas- its hard to tell from the limited amt. they showed- those could very well be the bridgers (mtns) Bridger Bowl ski resort is right on the outside edge of town...shuttles run from campus to the ski hill daily the license plate number on their rental car was way off though- bozeman's prefix is 6 , not 90...come to think of it, montana prefixes stop at 56...
J

 

Cowboy, BFG has a 305x65x18 that they came out with recently, these are 34" and should be an ideal fit for a leveled truck

 

PawPaw is that 305x65x18 an AT or an MT. I'd really like to go with an MT. I have the BFG MT tires on my bronco 2 that I have lifted and they wear great...just expensive.

 

They are an AT, but these tires do great in everything except a lot of mud. These ought to give just enough clearance with a leveling kit.

 

I rarely would disagree with Wandell, but the 3" Skyjacker is the one place we disagree. I have 68,000 miles on one and am extremely happy - happy enough that I am now upgrading to the 6" (NEED bigger tires...). I have had no issues related to CVs or ball joints. I did replace one tie rod end at about 62,000, but it appeared to be dry from the factory, so I can't tie it to the lift.

It's my company truck so I only wheel it a few times a year, although I've beat it in Moab a couple times - so I've seen the articulation limits!

I hated the factory ride (mushy) and the Skyjacker firmed it up to what I really like - a levelling kit doesn't do that. I also don't like level trucks, they need to lean forward so when you load them you're not tail heavy.

 

I'm glad you are happy with yours. I've just read post by a couple of people that were unhappy enough that they removed theirs. Have you had any ball joint wear issues at all?