Going to install a 1/2" level kit. The plate spacers are only less than 1/4" thick. My question is can I just compress the coil to get the top bolts out of the holes the just slide the plate over the bolts then uncompress the coil to go back in the holes or will I still have to undo suspension parts to take the coil out further. Never done suspension parts before. Anyone have knowledge on this. Thanks in advance?

 

I would go off of the manufacturer's instructions for install. Just my 2 cents.

Why only a 1/2" kit?

 

When I did my level kit, 2 1/2", I had to spin the struts 180° when reinstalling because the spacer bolts where set up that way. Like said before, follow the instructions from the manufacturer. And be ready for disappointment, 1/2" sounds way to small

 

This is actually on an Expedition but has the same setup. Stock, the wheel wells are actually the same height but for some reason these vehicles have a downward slant to them. 1/2" should give a better appearance of level but not overdone like its sitting higher in the front. These are plates that just slide through the bolts. The higher leveling kits have new bolts because the length of them are not long enough to reconnect thus why they need to be rotated. These plate just sit on top of strut with no new bolts because they are thin. The instructions are pretty much the same as for the larger kits. That's why I'm wondering if my reasoning might work for anyone with knowledge of installing them.

 

Ok, that makes more sense......

As far as dropping the strut low enough to fit the spacer in, I'm not sure if you can or not. I think in the long run it would be less aggravating to just pull the whole strut assembly out

 

I just put a 2 1/2" kit on my F150 two weeks ago. I am not sure what the setup is on an Expedition, but on the F150 the strut fits up into a metal "dome" where when installed, the top 1" or so of the strut is covered but this metal dome. You can't see the top of the strut when it is installed, infact I can barely see my spacer that I put in because it is mostly hidden. So if the Expy is the same, you would have to drop/compress everything down a good 3" to clear that dome, and have it low enough to fit your 1/2" plate over that big nut in the center of the strut.

There is not too much room to work, I would think trying to get a spring compressor in there would be too much of a pain to make it worth it. Not sure what year you have or how rusty things are, but my 08 came apart real easy. Had both sides done in about an hour and a half.

 

I think the whole strut/coil-over will have to come out regardless of what kind of lift you're installing.

This might help some;

http://www.f150online.com/forums/sus...ml#post5072815

I have to say though, it takes WA-aaay less time than the OP stated.