How's it goin guys. This is my first post on the website but not the first time using it, I always come here when I have questions and the exact question I have has usually been asked before, great forum from what I can tell!

Anyways, I have a 97 f250 all stock except some engine accessories, a few techs I have talked to said lifting these old TTB front ends can be a pain in the butt with the camber issue, the trucks at about 242k miles. Everything is all fresh on the front end except the leafs haven't been replaced and are sagging. It's time to get her stance right.

I know my best option is to tuck a Dana 60 under there but I'm on a college fund and just don't have enough, I guess the question I am asking is how much lift can I get out of the front without the camber issue, Where can I buy the leaf springs new not used? (I don't want a body lift or blocks on the springs) I just want her to sit level and not in a nosedive. All opinions help, thanks guys.

-Michael

 

Welcome to fte! Your right this is a good site with good people. Like you said the d60 is the way to go. Im not sure who makes a kit for the d50 but you will need new leafs and drop brackets. And if you dont want blocks in the rear, then sky off road makes a shackle reversal kit for it. But if you look long enough you might be able to find a good deal on a d60 and 4in blocks for the rear for about the same price.

 

No matter how much you lift it.camber will always be your issue.if the front end is not wearing tires abnormaly and drives good you are prob opening up a can of worms.
if you look at the camber slugs and note their position. if they are pushing the ball joints out then an add a leaf to bring it up might still align properly.
The slug may be able to be swapped to bring camber back properly.
be careful with this process,that alignment could get expensive.
You also need to check the leaf spring bushings.if they are oe...i guarantee they are costing you an inch of height also.replace with poly units.
and welcome to fte.

 

Thanks guys. I'm gonna buy the poly bushings and new leafs as soon as Possible, ill try to get some pictures of the rig on my profile. I also had another question, I was told that my truck is missing the stabilizer bar? That whole shock assembly up front, not to sure if it was removed or possibly didn't come on this model, it probably isn't something to bad to put on there since it doesn't have one anyway, anybody heard of this?

 

The sway bar I think is what you mean.I don't think all trucks came with it.lots have removed it.I didn't.its not the end of the world if you don't have.
On springs.get good made in america units.the off shore I have read don't last.I use st. Louis spring.always have had good luck there.

 

my truck is lifted 4" on the TTB setup. Im running a 4" rough country kit, did have to modify the front springs, had to take a leaf out to be anywhere close to getting the camber set and it sat high in the front. if your bushings and ball joints are all good and the alignment is done right you wont have an issue with the camber

 

I second mtd, I have the same setup. At least you are educated because no one should ever in their right mind put blocks on the front end... Get the right leafs and along with the bushings, if ur going to mess with the rear, then replace the shackle mounts too because with the age of our trucks, esp if you are in the northern states, those mounts get rusted out bad. Better to have the peice of mind rather than stuck in the ditch! And welcome to fte

 

Question is - How big of a tire are you trying to stuff under there? You can get 285/75/16s under there with an add a leaf and in the case of my truck; shimming or trimming the front bumper. 4" of lift will get you 35's or 315's. All will have camber issues. I started with 285's and a Tough Country add a leaf and alignment brackets; wheeled it like that for a few years but decided I needed more to access the areas I needed to get into for hunting and fishing. I'm currently running a 4" Superlift kit with 315's, springs front and rear and really like the ride and handling. Better than stock and the truck sits level. Had the front end completely rebuild ($$$$), but couldn't find a Dana 60 front end locally. Truck runs great and pulls strong with 4.10's in the rear. Decide how much you really need ( higher costs more), choose a quality manufacturer, and find a good alignment shop. My '95 did not come with a sway bar. Good luck!

 

Without having to get a lift kit at all, I did the whole RSk up front with my D-50, and cleared easily another 3". I did have to get the shims at the alignment shop done with the new axle angles.