Do I really need shocks with leveling kit?
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Posting Guru
Joined: Sep 2009
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From: Virginia beach, VA
Do I really need shocks with leveling kit?
I'm looking to buy a 2.5" leveling kit for my 07 f-250 diesel. I'm not looking for increased off-road performance I want it simply for looks. Do I really need to buy new shocks and castor shims? I can buy a level kit without all that stuff for 60 bucks whereas the 'complete' kits are a couple hundred and for that price hell I might as well go with a full on suspension lift. Once again, I'm not looking for the all-out, 100% correct, no corners cut way of leveling my truck. I just want it done as cheap as possible while still being safe and not giving me any problems driving down the road under normal driving conditions.
Post Fiend
Joined: Mar 2007
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From: Texas
Unbolt the bottom of one of your front shocks and let it extend out. See how far down past the lower shock mount it extends. Will you still have some travel if you take 2 1/2" away from that excess distance? That will tell you if you need new shocks, but I'll agree. If you're still running factory shocks, it's worth changing them out even if you don't do the leveling kit.
The truck will need to be aligned after a leveling kit. You can either try and adjust it yourself or pay a shop to do it.
The truck will need to be aligned after a leveling kit. You can either try and adjust it yourself or pay a shop to do it.
Elder User
Joined: Dec 2006
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From: Gettysburg, PA
Bilstein - KYB - Rancho - Monroe - Edelbrock Automotive Truck Shocks and Struts - Shockwarehouse.com
they're a site sponsor.
You would need Stock Height or 0-2.5/3" of lift shocks.
they're a site sponsor.
You would need Stock Height or 0-2.5/3" of lift shocks.
Hangin 10 bra
Joined: Feb 2010
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From: Bartlett TN
Personally it depends on what shocks you have on the truck. My 04 King Ranch came factory with Ranchos and will still work perfectly with the leveling kit installed, so in my case i am good for now. I might change them out later on just to refresh to newer shocks.
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New User
Joined: May 2011
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skyjacker 8000 are a very good cheep shock i have em an love them. skyjacker shocks go 0 to 4in lift befor you go to a dif shock size. ranchos are the same way good luck. my factory shocks would bottom out.
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Elder User
Joined: Dec 2006
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From: Gettysburg, PA
thoses "Rancho's" are actually ford shocks painted white and slapped with a rancho sticker, beleive it or not lol
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Posting Guru
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From: Virginia beach, VA
Well I did a search on another forum and found a guy who owns a suspension shop (I believe it was Truck Toyz Performance but don't quote me on that) and said that up to 2" of lift you can use the stock shocks, 3" and up need longer ones. Since I was looking at a 2.5" kit which is right in the middle rather than taking a chance I'll probably just go with a 2" leveling kit instead. I measured my fender wells and the rear is exactly 2 inches higher so that should work fine for me.
Now the bigger question that I've ran into is, do I need the adjustable track bar/track bar drop to center the axle? How far off will it be if I don't get one?
Now the bigger question that I've ran into is, do I need the adjustable track bar/track bar drop to center the axle? How far off will it be if I don't get one?
Senior User
Joined: Sep 2010
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From: Stafford, Virginia
with only a 2" lift on the front, the stock track bar will probably be OK. and most suspension shops will tell you anything up to 4" doesn't "need" a drop bracket. With just an add a leaf or two to get your 2", that's all you will probably need. I lifted mine a little over 3" in the front and the adjustable track bar came out to nearly exactly the same length eye to eye as the stock. install your lift and have the alignment checked. if it is too far out of spec on tracking, then just buy an adjustable and throw it on.
New User
Joined: May 2011
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I had to git the trac - bar it made my ride so much smother the facktory bar put it in tomuch of a bind an made it go all over the road .i would try the facktory bar befor you git the aftermarkit bar good luck with that
Hangin 10 bra
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 11,216
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From: Bartlett TN
Well Robby you are absolutely correct on the shocks! Those POS Ford dealers put rancho decals and boots on el cheapo shocks! What jerk wads haha.
Well on the 2004 models you do not need to get new shocks unless yours are blown. The shock mounts stay on the top part of the spring area so nothing changes distance wise there. You only need to change them if they no longer are working.
BEFORE
AFTER
Well on the 2004 models you do not need to get new shocks unless yours are blown. The shock mounts stay on the top part of the spring area so nothing changes distance wise there. You only need to change them if they no longer are working.
BEFORE
AFTER
Elder User
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 725
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From: Gettysburg, PA
yup, big thanks for Ford for that one haha. my stockers didnt last long at all, at 35K miles, when I put the Bilsteins on, I could compress the stockers with one hand and they wouldnt rebound. I have 84K on my truck now and still have the Bilsteins on... World of difference.
once again... lol
once again... lol