Notices
2009 - 2014 F150 Discuss the 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013 and 2014 Ford F150
Sponsored by:
Sponsored by: Moser

Do leveling kits affect the ride???

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
  #1  
Old 03-26-2012, 07:00 PM
ommegang's Avatar
ommegang
ommegang is offline
Senior User
Thread Starter
Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: Milwaukee, WI
Posts: 172
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Do leveling kits affect the ride???

I would like a 2" leveling kit in the front on my 2012 F150. Will it make my ride stiffer??? What brand is good?
 
  #2  
Old 03-26-2012, 07:06 PM
flixden's Avatar
flixden
flixden is offline
Posting Guru
Join Date: Sep 2011
Posts: 1,088
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Not sure about our F150's, but I lifted my previous Tacoma's front with 5100's by about 2". And yes, it did affect the ride. First of all, it introduced a vibe, and beyond that, it made an alignment difficult, pretty much was on the edge. As a result, the truck did not track as nicely down the road, it was kind of all over the place if I did not watch out, if you know what I mean.
The ride was not any stiffer though.
Not sure if the F150's have the same or similar stuff going on. But it was a lesson for me, I won't do that again I think.
Looking forward to what others have to say about this, good question!
 
  #3  
Old 03-27-2012, 06:24 AM
shortride's Avatar
shortride
shortride is offline
Posting Guru
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: 46th State
Posts: 2,027
Likes: 0
Received 6 Likes on 5 Posts
I mounted leveling shackles on the rear of my '07 F150 XLT Screw and I did not notice any difference in ride. If there was a difference it was negligible.
 
  #4  
Old 03-27-2012, 08:26 AM
BrianFX4's Avatar
BrianFX4
BrianFX4 is offline
Senior User
Join Date: Sep 2004
Location: Colorado
Posts: 447
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
I have leveled two F150s. My '04 and now my '09 and I have not experienced any of the things that flixden mentioned above. On both trucks I drove with the stock tires for a small amount of time after doing it and I would say going to the bigger tires and from a "P" rated tire to "LT" made WAY more difference in ride then the leveling kit ever did.
 
  #5  
Old 03-27-2012, 09:56 AM
stephen.osborne1's Avatar
stephen.osborne1
stephen.osborne1 is offline
Cargo Master
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: Southern Idaho
Posts: 2,350
Received 178 Likes on 126 Posts
I have a 2" Autospring kit on my 2010. Cost about $80 on ebay and free to install myself. When I was looking into mine, most people on this site had recommended Autosping. After a toe adjustment, the truck rode just the same, just higher. My tires made more of a ride change than the leveling kit.
 
  #6  
Old 03-27-2012, 11:35 AM
04XLTRUNNER's Avatar
04XLTRUNNER
04XLTRUNNER is offline
Posting Guru
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: Dayton, TX
Posts: 1,392
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like on 1 Post
I used the 2" from Daystar. Never affected ride quality, never need an alignment (it is recommended though), it lifted it enough to run 35/12.5/20 mudgrapplers on the stock fx4 wheels.
 
  #7  
Old 03-27-2012, 01:25 PM
cdmm151's Avatar
cdmm151
cdmm151 is offline
Senior User
Join Date: Jan 2011
Posts: 320
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
I've leveled many different fords and chevys and the ride stays the same. A 2 1/2 " is perfect for the F150.
 
  #8  
Old 03-27-2012, 10:28 PM
Jus2shy's Avatar
Jus2shy
Jus2shy is offline
Elder User
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: Pacific NW
Posts: 501
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
You have a 2012, so you will have some special precautions because of the EPAS system that's on your truck. Just be careful!

I also have a 2" lift... didn't seem to affect my ride all that much... still on the stock tires BTW.
 
  #9  
Old 03-28-2012, 08:06 AM
cdmm151's Avatar
cdmm151
cdmm151 is offline
Senior User
Join Date: Jan 2011
Posts: 320
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
The only thing different with the EPAS is you have to is unplug it before work begins. I was the first to find this out the hard way by following the directions at that time. After bringing that to Rough Country's attention they changed the directions and paid my repair bill.
 
  #10  
Old 03-28-2012, 08:15 AM
ommegang's Avatar
ommegang
ommegang is offline
Senior User
Thread Starter
Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: Milwaukee, WI
Posts: 172
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
And you required alignment afterward??
 
  #11  
Old 03-28-2012, 08:19 AM
BURNSTOUGHFORD's Avatar
BURNSTOUGHFORD
BURNSTOUGHFORD is offline
Posting Guru
Join Date: May 2006
Location: Iowa
Posts: 2,486
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Yes, you should do an alignment afterwards, unless you dont mind your tires cupping.
 
  #12  
Old 03-28-2012, 08:19 AM
cdmm151's Avatar
cdmm151
cdmm151 is offline
Senior User
Join Date: Jan 2011
Posts: 320
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Always realign
 
  #13  
Old 03-30-2012, 08:04 PM
Little Sam's Avatar
Little Sam
Little Sam is offline
New User
Join Date: Sep 2007
Posts: 7
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
I used an autospring 2 1/2 level with 3 inch blocks in the rear and I think it rides a bit stiffer. I have 295/70/18 terra grapplers also.
 
  #14  
Old 03-31-2012, 08:53 AM
NASSTY's Avatar
NASSTY
NASSTY is offline
Cargo Master
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: ME
Posts: 2,474
Received 22 Likes on 17 Posts
Originally Posted by Little Sam
I used an autospring 2 1/2 level with 3 inch blocks in the rear and I think it rides a bit stiffer. I have 295/70/18 terra grapplers also.
The stiffer ride is because of the 10 ply tires.
 
  #15  
Old 03-31-2012, 09:06 AM
D8chumley's Avatar
D8chumley
D8chumley is offline
Resident smarta$$
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: Oaks,PA
Posts: 4,932
Likes: 0
Received 2 Likes on 2 Posts
Originally Posted by Little Sam
I used an autospring 2 1/2 level with 3 inch blocks in the rear and I think it rides a bit stiffer. I have 295/70/18 terra grapplers also.
Thats a sexy looking truck! Got any bigger pics of it?
 


Quick Reply: Do leveling kits affect the ride???



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 11:02 AM.