I am thinking about buying the BDS 2.5" shackle leveling kit.
BDS 2.5 Inch Hanger System - 2000-2004 F250/350 4wd - Truck Toyz Store
Any opinions on this vs. the minispring packs?
The BDS is a good bit of change, but oyu usually get what you pay for. Anybody have either of these setups?

Also, how necessary do you all find an adjustable trac bar?

Thanks guys

 

If you are wanting to just raise the front end, install X springs from Ford. It raised mine 2 1/4 inches and greatly improved handling and ride quality. Mine always felt like it wallered when on the brakes and turning. The X springs were one of the best mods I have made to my truck. The springs are about $400 with u-bolts and nuts.

 

Got a link for them?

 

You can get the sanderson welding shackle kit on ebay, for less that 100 bucks. It is only the shackles though. I run it and have had no issues what so ever.

 

Waaaay overpriced in my opinion. I got a 4 inch block in the back and replaced the stock F-250 block, and added these shackles from eBay, very high quality. It took about 1 and a 1/2 hours to install and was fairly straight forward. Here is the guy I got the shackles from:eBay Motors: FORD F-250 F-350 SUPERDUTY DIESEL GAS SHACKLE LIFT KIT (item 330278146081 end time Nov-10-08 03:36:43 PST)

 

yep thats the shackles that I have too. That is the Sanderson Welding kit.

 

I got the Firestone air helper springs for my sagging front springs. Ended up leveling it out quite nicely and theyre adjustable!

 

For that price you could get whole new leaf springs. I put on a 2.5" Rancho kit, came with new leafs. Cost 400 something.

 

Don't the kits that lift with leaf speings change the ride quality quite a bit? I thought they did, and the shackle kits keep pretty much a factory ride.
I need new shocks which is what started this whole thing, and that kit comes with some pretty good shocks. Most of the leaf spring kits, you have to buy the shocks seperate. I know that kit is a little pricey, but it is all inclusive really(except for the adj. trac bar), and I thought BDS was worth the extra coin? no? You usually get what you pay for.

Thanks for the input so far guys, keep it coming. I am the type that is forever to make a decision.

 

I paid 257 for the front air suspension from Firestone shipped. New leaf springs shipped to me or from dealer wouldve been more than that from what I saw.

 

The Rancho kit I got didn't come with shocks. So I suppose it may be worth it. I think my Dad was running the BDS on his 03 when he had it and he didn't have complaints.

 

Install was a bit of a pain, but my back was killin me that day too...

 

I used the Superlift leveling kit $500 came with spring drop brkts,shackles,4 shocks and drop track bar brkt rides just like stock

 

That looks like a great kit. It is rough country though...you said Superlift?

Do you need the extended sway bar end links with that?
I thought that if the lift was in the spring, you needed that?

I'm still learning

 

Technically, you can get away with stock links with even a 4" lift if you are willing to flip the upper bracket to under the frame rail.