Hey everyone, been on this forum for a while but now I finally own a Ford pickup! It's a 1986 F250 4x4, 460, 4 speed, single cab w/ 94,xxx original miles. (Will get pics up soon) I've already done some interior upgrades: newer style lariat bench, new carpet, new door speakers, head unit and 12" sub behind the seat, and now it's time for suspension.

I just bought 315/75/r16 Hankook Dynapro M/Ts and had them mounted on 16x10 American Racing 172 Baja rims yesterday. It's basically just down to lift kit selection. I simply want a kit that will give me the best ride and won't limit the truck in any form or capacity. Therefore, I want a full leaf spring suspension system. No blocks, no body lifts. I've been eyeing Tuff Country's 4" gas engine application lift system but I've seen the kit noted it was for 351 engines only. What's up with that? On a couple sites it's suggested with my 460 to get the diesel application system from Tuff Country but I'm not so sure I want the beefed up spring rate of a diesel spring. Thoughts? Another option I've looked into somewhat is to buy a 4" BDS kit, which only comes with front springs, and buy rear springs elsewhere. BDS' kit applies to all gas engine applications, not just the 351 noted on Tuff Country.

Thanks all!

 

Any kit that lifts the front with the original ttb axle is going to give you a stiff ride. It's not terrible, but it's rough compared to stock. I have a 4 inch lift on mine, with springs in the front and blocks in the rear. The lift springs are what make it ride rough.

If you wanted to swap to a solid straight axle in the front, they have shackle reversal kits that use the longer springs from a later truck that are supposed to ride good.

 

If your set on going that route, get the bds kit, and then do a 4" shackle flip( or is reversal) in the rear. My plan is sas and use whatever height sshavkle flip(or reversal) to get just about even in the rear.

 

I recommend Tuff Country Suspension Lift Kits. They have it for your F250. Saw it on 4wheelonline.

 

Uh... Every site I go to says the Tuff Country kit applies to 1980-1986 4wd F250s with 351 engines.

 

 

Do some research on this. I think some of the flip kits for the rear now come with shims, but if it doesn't you probably will need to get some. Just lowering the rear part of the spring like this throws the pinion angle off enough to were a lot of people get some vibration out of the driveshaft when using this method. They need to put the wedge/shims between the rearend and the springs to bring it back in.

 

Would you happen to have a thread that would have more info on this? I'm not necessarily set on any kit, I just want a nice ride height without compromising on ride quality.

 

What a BEAUTIFUL truck !!!

Following this, as I may one day want to do the same !

 

I didn't want to deal with the camber issues I've heard about, on my daughters truck, plus the fact she is 16 years old and I didn't want to give a horrible riding truck like my 83 CJ7 (that will bounce you out with its 4" tuff country) that's why I decided to do the 2.5" suspension and 2" body, I was going to only do the 1" body but she begged me to get the 3" (she is a little redneck kid) so we settled on the 2", she also has the 315/75/16s, so yours should look close to this. It drives down the road straight as an arrow and handles really well

 

one more

 

Here's one of many threads about it.

https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/1...completed.html

Just do a search on google for "ford sas swap with shackle reversal"

 

Lol, it's funny you'd chime in. I actually found this very picture on Google and sent it to my dad. I think the ride height looks absolutely amazing, and is in perfect ratio with the tire profile.

 

Thank you sir. Had no idea a solid front axle with the right set up would ride even remotely smooth. Definitely looking into it.

 

Thanks, my 16 year old daughter wanted it higher, but there comes a point where altering the vehicle's drive line and drive-ability are more than I wanted to deal with.