'86 Flareside F150, 302, 4x4, currently 31" tires. I am thinking of finally splurging and lifting a couple inches. Just 2" - 3" and more level. Ultimately, I might run 33" tires, but no bigger than that. I do not want to compromise the functionality of the truck. I use the bed and hitch and drive it normally, but a little taller for looks and for the occasional off-road exploration would be sweet!

Maybe 3" higher in the front, and 2" in the rear? Blocks (replace factory 2" units with 4") or leaves? Springs or spacers in the front? Do I need to worry about alignment or steering issues due to more inclination or anything major like that? Any good kits you guys recommend? So many options and different brand names and kits available.
__________________

 

33s fit on an 86 F150 bone stock.

 

yes you should get an alignment when you lift a truck or mess with the suspension

 

^^^^^^^
what he said, but since you are after a little bit of looks all i can tell you is maybe search on j.c. whitney.com. i know the sell individual parts like 2.5'' pivot drop brackets, and i believe they also have some 2'' lift heavy duty springs. word to the wise, buy new longer shocks. 2.5''s doesn't sound like much of a difference, but it is.

 

My rear shocks are getting pretty weak. That is kind of my excuse that prompted a suspension lift. I'll replace all 4 with the lift. What are the pivot drop brackets, and why do I need them.

Also, regardless of the lift, I need a steering stabilizer. Any recommendations?

 

heckathorn for the stabalizer. cheap as hell and they work decent, also at whitney.

the ttb axle is two halves that meet in the center on a crossmember where they have a pivot point. when you use taller springs it throws everything out of whack if you don't drop the pivot location as well. they are definitely needed

 

I will definitely go for that stabilizer. Thanks for the advice. I will have to hold off on the lifting, however, due to a problem in my front end. I will make a new thread for this issue.

 

With 2 inches in the front you might not need drop brackets, should be able to get enough adjustment out of your balljoints make up for the lift.

 

Well hell after I figure out my front end vibration issue, I'll throw in some 3.5" rear blocks in place of the factory 2" units and throw in some 2" lift springs up front. Add some shocks, get it aligned and if I need the brackets I'll add them. Good deal.

First I need to get the front axle vibration resolved (separate thread). I need my 4x4 this winter!

 

I dont know if they still sell them but there was a coil spring spacer for the front of the f150s that was around 2 in or so. I looked into'm back when I had my 86.

 

Yea I have seen those. I think I'd rather replace the whole spring for ideal ride quality. I was looking at it today, and the upper nor the lower ball joints look adjustable. I suppose the I-bean drop brackets may be mandatory for proper alignment. Which is fine, I'll do them too.

 

I cant remember if they are adjustable at the pivot point in the middle or not I know the 2wd were but I cant remember on the 4wd.

 

Cool, I will look at it closer to see. I have to do some front end work first anyway. Front axle u joints, drive shaft u joints, bearings and rotors. Then I'll do 2" lift springs, shocks, drop brackets, and SS extended brake lines all around. For the rear I have my eye on the Monroe adjustable air shocks for loading/hauling. I can use them now AND when I install 4" blocks for a 2" gain. I cannot wait to get into it!

 

:banghead:

<fiiiiiiill>

 

Don't use spacers or blocks. Do a shackle flip from SKY or ruffstuff and lose the block altogether in the back. Get new springs for the front. Realize your ttb sucks and ask us how to do a SAS