I have a 94 f-150 and I got some 33x12.5 tires I'd like to put on. They're not gonna fit stock. I pull a lot with my truck. So, what's the best/cheapest way to get 2-2.5" of lift and that's also okay to pull heavy loads with? Also where should I purchase it?

 

Hi there.

With 2-2.5 inches of lift you should be able to clear those 33's. I know I could on my old truck, but they were only 9.50 wide.

For 2.5 inches of lift, you'll probably be wanting to look into a leveling kit. There is mixed controversy about them, but personally I had one on my old 93 f150 which was a hard worker and wood hauler and never encountered a single issue with it. Most of these kits come with a 2.5" coil spacer for the front, and either 2.5" blocks to go under the leaf springs or add-a-leafs. Typically they'll run you no more than $100 depending on where you get it. Summit racing and eBay carry them to name a couple. I got mine on ebay for 80 bucks and I never had a problem with it. Just make sure the blocks for the rear that go under the leaf springs are tapered or 'slanted', and made of a reliable material such as cast iron. You also might need longer ubolts after you put the block under the leaf pack, but most kits come with those. As for the front coil spacers, make sure they're something like billet aluminum and not polyurethane or plastic. Just for the sake of avoiding disaster.

You'll probably hear a 'bad thing' or two about leveling kits but if you're not looking to spend hundreds of dollars for 2.5" of lift then a leveling kit is the way to go. Like I said, I ran one for three years on my previous truck before I sold it and had no problems.

Good luck

 

Thanks for your input. Would you possibly be able to post a link to the kind of leveling kit you are talking about?

 

Sure, here's the link. This isnt the exact same one I had but it's almost identical. If you search something like "94 f150 lift kit" or "94 f150 leveling kit" stuff like this should come up. You should try to find one with cast iron blocks and aluminum coil spacers. Make sure it comes with shock extenders and u bolts. I believe the example link I posted has polyurethane spacers, but you get the idea. Good luck man

http://www.ebay.com/itm/SOLID-LIFT-KIT-FRONT-2-REAR-2-BLOCK-U-BOLT-W-SHOCK-EXTENDER-4X4-4WD-/261311364395?pt=Motors_Car_Truck_Parts_Accessories&fits=Year%3A1995%7CModel%3AF-150&hash=item3cd75efd2b&vxp=mtr

 

What some advice? If you pull heavy loads with it DO NOT put 33's on it. If you do your going to kill it's pulling power. Trust me here. Even with a 351 and OD locked out, my truck is slug when towing anything due to the tires...

 

I agree with Evan, obviously bigger tires will decrease acceleration, and the more weight you're pulling would only make it worse. But considering you already bought them, you might as well put them on. Or perhaps have a set of rims with stock tires and swap em out when you know you're gonna be carrying a **** ton of weight.

 

Unloading 33's is easy. Find a jeep or Toyota guy and sell them. I mentioned my interest to a co-worker 2 days ago of offloading my 33's in favor of smaller tires and I already have 4 people that want my 33's.

 

If your pulling decent sized loads then you will want to regear.

A cheaper alternative to coil spacers or leveling coils is to bolt in some 2wd F250 coils. It'll stiffen up the ride a bit and if you get them from your local yard you shouldn't have more then $30-40 in them.

 

Unloading 33's is easy. Find a jeep or Toyota guy and sell them. I mentioned my interest to a co-worker 2 days ago of offloading my 33's in favor of smaller tires and I already have 4 people that want my 33's.

 

If your pulling decent sized loads then you will want to regear.

A cheaper alternative to coil spacers or leveling coils is to bolt in some 2wd F250 coils. It'll stiffen up the ride a bit and if you get them from your local yard you shouldn't have more then $30-40 in them.

 

New F250 coils (Moog CC844) are only ~$65 on Amazon. Then buy some adjustable camber bushings, set them up to add ~1.5* of camber in addition to whatever bushings are already in your truck (mine had 0.5* on one side and 0.75* on the other factory bushings). If you want to level the truck, you don't want to lift the rear, but I think "leveled" trucks for hauling are a **** poor idea. You want a 2" rake so it's level when loaded.

As others have said, don't put big tires a pulling rig unless you want to regear.

 

That's what I did with my 1970 F100 4X4. I put coils in from a Super Cab. Lifted the front of my F100 a couple of inches and the ride wasn't too bad. If I remember right it was simply firmer but not harsh.

 

About those f250 coils,

are there any modifications to be made in order to make them work on a '95 f150 4x4? I have quad shocks if that matters.

 

100% bolt in.

 

It should be said, you won't get 2" out of the F250 coils. I saw 1.25" lift from the coils (I have the heavier 150 configuration), then added 0.5" of steel spacer for a total lift up front of 1.75". A lighter rig might see 1.5" lift with just the F250 coils.