Stupid Leveler Questions
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Stupid Leveler Questions
My momma once told me that there are no STUPID questions, just STUPID people who ask questions -- so here goes...
1) Why do I need a leveler? When my truck gets here I plan on installing either a 8.5 or 9.5 foot Fisher V blase. In the past I have used air bags to help pick up the front end from these heavy plows. What does a leveler do that an air bag system doesn't?
2) Probably like most of you, my life is hectic. I plan on doing the HID conversion and the Ford Lockpick add-ons myself, but I don't have the time and probably not the skill to tackle installing the leveler (although I have installed air bags before). So, my second stupid person question; I have been quoted a fully installed price for a Ready Lift, 2.5" kit including a lower track arm and a full front end alignment for $945. Should these guys be wearing a mask or is this a fair price?
3) I noticed on the other thread dealing with the leveler that new shocks were installed. Is this needed considering my truck is coming with Rancho shocks? If the shocks should be replaced, is the Bilstein's the way to go?
1) Why do I need a leveler? When my truck gets here I plan on installing either a 8.5 or 9.5 foot Fisher V blase. In the past I have used air bags to help pick up the front end from these heavy plows. What does a leveler do that an air bag system doesn't?
2) Probably like most of you, my life is hectic. I plan on doing the HID conversion and the Ford Lockpick add-ons myself, but I don't have the time and probably not the skill to tackle installing the leveler (although I have installed air bags before). So, my second stupid person question; I have been quoted a fully installed price for a Ready Lift, 2.5" kit including a lower track arm and a full front end alignment for $945. Should these guys be wearing a mask or is this a fair price?
3) I noticed on the other thread dealing with the leveler that new shocks were installed. Is this needed considering my truck is coming with Rancho shocks? If the shocks should be replaced, is the Bilstein's the way to go?
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Am I missing something or are you talking about a leveling kit that raises the front to match the rears ride height? If you are then air bags are completely different. Air bags as you know are only to keep either the front or rear from saggin when at a certain capacity. The leveling kit just lifts the front up..mostly so people can put bigger tires on or just to get rid of the factory rake..but its stationary..once its there its there no adjustments when you do or don't have a plow on. BTW your gettin ripped off if someone quoted you 945 dollars for a leveling kit.
Cross-Country
Joined: Jun 2010
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Its form vs function. Like sncbluegt said, there is no adjustment on a leveler kit, its only designed for clearing larger tires. If you want to adjust for weight you need the air bags, if you want big tires and a plow you probably need both. If you can install air bags you could probably handle the leveling kit, they are pretty simple. The OE shocks are generally long enough to work at first but due to the extra height of the suspension they tend to not last for long due to constantly trying to overextend themselves. As to the debate on which shocks are the best...that battle has been around almost as long as Ford vs. Chevy
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Am I missing something or are you talking about a leveling kit that raises the front to match the rears ride height? If you are then air bags are completely different. Air bags as you know are only to keep either the front or rear from saggin when at a certain capacity. The leveling kit just lifts the front up..mostly so people can put bigger tires on or just to get rid of the factory rake..but its stationary..once its there its there no adjustments when you do or don't have a plow on. BTW your gettin ripped off if someone quoted you 945 dollars for a leveling kit.
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From: somewhere in CT ?
If you do lift the front end, shock extensions or new shocks are needed. The stock shocks do not have enough travel to be extended enough.
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I know the answer to that one! They are like suspension bump stops but on steroids. I decided to go with airbags. I liked the ability to adjust the ride height with the snow plow raised (primarily for headlight alignment). The downside to the airbags is that will eventually break and need to be replaced. On some of my vehicles this was a real pain. And then you had to contend with an airleak at the worst possible time -- during a now snowstorm.
Now that I know what a leveler is designed to do, I will look at the Timbrens. My hesitation was that they don't adjust. So to balance out the snowplow weight I would need to adjust ballast in the back of the truck -- which may not be a big issue. Not having owned a F350, I don't know how much sag I am going to see with a 870 lb. plow hanging up front. I have been looking at the 9'6" V and that is over 1000 lbs. According to the Ford Body Builder site, it is too heavy but most of the plow manufacturers say it will handle it. (a topic for the snowplow websites).
Now that I know what a leveler is designed to do, I will look at the Timbrens. My hesitation was that they don't adjust. So to balance out the snowplow weight I would need to adjust ballast in the back of the truck -- which may not be a big issue. Not having owned a F350, I don't know how much sag I am going to see with a 870 lb. plow hanging up front. I have been looking at the 9'6" V and that is over 1000 lbs. According to the Ford Body Builder site, it is too heavy but most of the plow manufacturers say it will handle it. (a topic for the snowplow websites).
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I know the answer to that one! They are like suspension bump stops but on steroids. I decided to go with airbags. I liked the ability to adjust the ride height with the snow plow raised (primarily for headlight alignment). The downside to the airbags is that will eventually break and need to be replaced. On some of my vehicles this was a real pain. And then you had to contend with an airleak at the worst possible time -- during a now snowstorm.
Now that I know what a leveler is designed to do, I will look at the Timbrens. My hesitation was that they don't adjust. So to balance out the snowplow weight I would need to adjust ballast in the back of the truck -- which may not be a big issue. Not having owned a F350, I don't know how much sag I am going to see with a 870 lb. plow hanging up front. I have been looking at the 9'6" V and that is over 1000 lbs. According to the Ford Body Builder site, it is too heavy but most of the plow manufacturers say it will handle it. (a topic for the snowplow websites).
Now that I know what a leveler is designed to do, I will look at the Timbrens. My hesitation was that they don't adjust. So to balance out the snowplow weight I would need to adjust ballast in the back of the truck -- which may not be a big issue. Not having owned a F350, I don't know how much sag I am going to see with a 870 lb. plow hanging up front. I have been looking at the 9'6" V and that is over 1000 lbs. According to the Ford Body Builder site, it is too heavy but most of the plow manufacturers say it will handle it. (a topic for the snowplow websites).
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From: Minneapolis, MN
It would depend on which ReadyLift kit you have been quoted. If it was the stage 1 part number 66-2011 that price is high. I could almost swallow it if it was the stage 2 part number 66-2511 with new shocks, labor and alignment.
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