I just had a 1.5'' AS kit installed on my 05 FX4 and now I have some questions. First I picked the truck up and drove it about a hundred miles before I noticed that the mechanic forgot to hook the vacum lines back up to the IWE's, I only drove on pavement but the roads were a little wet, do I need to be worried about any damage to IWE's or vacuum solenoid because of dirt/water? Second, Is a front end alignment necessary? the truck drives and steers the same as before and after 300 miles I haven't noticed any unusual tire wear. last I was thinking about putting on some 275/70R18 which are 33.2'' tall and 11'' wide and would be using my stock rims, would these tires fit without any problems and would there be a noticable power loss? the truck has 3.73 gears. I wanted to put 285/65R18's on but was advised by a tire shop not to because they were too wide for my stock rims and wouldn't wear right. Any info would be appreciated.

 

You need the alignment. The tire wear won't be noticeable over 300 miles, but after a few thousand you will chop your tires. I would also be concerned about the vacuum lines. There are a bunch of moisture problems with ones that are still attached, so I'd make sure that they are dried out before reattaching.

 

Fordman..
Im curious if you measured before and after the install of the 1.5 kit, wondering how much lift you actually got out of it.

Concerning your tires I was told a 305/55/20 (33.2 x12) wouldnt fit with the 1.5 kit which is close to what you want to put on. Really I dont understand why they wouldnt as long as you got the correct back spacing.
Know they will fit with a 2inch AS which is only a half inch diff.

 

I got 2.25'' of lift with the kit, before the lift the center of the wheelwell was 36.75'' off the ground and after it was 39''.I don't know if it will drop some after getting an alligment. The rear of my truck still sits 3/4'' higher so if it stays the same thats ok too.

 

I agree you need the alignment, leveling and lift kits cause the tow to be out of specs. I just did mine last week after I put on the 5100's. Cost me about 80, pays for itself in the long run.

 

I heard you actually get more lift than what the kit measures. Guess the 2inch ones have been yielding about 2.5. Anybody here have any ideas whether or not a 305/55/20 will fit with the 1.5 AS?
Fordman what type truck do you have? SuperCrew?

 

the truck is a supercab shortbox

 

wy did you have to disconnect the IWE? What is the IWE? We did not have to do that with my 2.0" lift.

 

IWE stands for integrated wheel end, it's the part of the hub that the axleshaft connects too so your front wheels have power to them when in 4wd. There is a small black rubber hose that hooks into the top of the IWE, right where the axleshaft connects to it, that hose is connected to a vacuum solenoind that uses vacuum pressure to keep the IWE unlocked when in 2wd so the tire can free wheel, and it cuts the vacuum pressure to lock the IWE when in 4wd. I suppose my mechanic unhooked the lines to move them out of the way while installing the kit.

 

It will drop some after you get it aligned. I remember before I aligned mine it looked nose high but after I aligned it it looked perfect.