I have a 2002 f-150 xlt FX4 4.6l 5 speed extended cab. I want to level it out the front looks lower and on a tape measure the front is only about an inch lower than the rear, this is the way i bought it but from what i have read, stock the difference is two or three inches. I have looked at the adjusting bolt on the torsion keys and there is only a 3/8 of an inch of threads showing. so has whoever owned this truck before me cranked them up or is that how they should be, and i can crank them up two or three full truns to get the inch of height i want for now?

also I have been thinking of doing a lift just enough to clear 33`s but i don`t want to spend a bunch of money on drop brackets and lift knuckles, and I dont want to ruin my ride quality with leveling keys, that just about everyone has said are a waste of money and puts to much strain on every suspension component. I have only been able to find conversion kits that are 14-16 inch long travel kits that cost a pretty penny. is there any body that makes kits that make more travel but not a foot and half and not $2000 bucks.

Last thing I really dont like torsion bars i feel like they ride terrible compared to straight coils or coil overs like on the 04-08`s but, like i said above the only conversions are long travel kits from dixon bros or rock krawler that cost $3000 and up. so to get the ride quality of coil overs is it possible to just replace the front shock with a coil over and remove the torsion bars and their cross member. the only problems i see would be the shock tower would need to be replaced and clearance from the axle. Has this been done before? if so I havent found them any where on the web. if not is my idea sound. replacing the shock tower with one that is taller and is correct for whatever coil over would fit pending there is one that will fit into the lower control arm in the stock location and clear the axle.

sorry about the length of this post but i had alot of questions that all pertain to each other.

thanks to any of you that take the time to read all of this.

 

Your rear springs may be tired. Mine were and made my 2000 with 210,000 look almost level, but lower. I installed an add-a-leaf and torsion keys, and now it sits pretty much level 2" higher in the air. I have 32x11.5 super swamped ssr's on 17x9 Micky Thompson wheels, and I like the look. It rides great too. It sounds to me you just hate torsion bars, but that is how these trucks are designed. If you are wanting to spend all that money to retrofit your front end, I would save your money, do what I did, and use the money you saved to swap out ball joints and CV axles later.

 

whats wrong with torsion bars ? they work great.
You can screw the torsion bar screws in till they run out of threads. It will raise the front, how much depends on where you are at now. If you do a lift on the front by using different key cams on the torsion bars, you start getting the alxe shaft/ CV joints in a possibly excessive angle. Some have seen excessive wear if they crank up by using aftermarket keys. If you insist on spending money and raising the truck, then mudslinger has a good plan.

 

If money is an issue I would say go with a body lift. I would just save for a suspension lift. Or you can just scrap the 4wd and get yourself a 2wd and lift it.
I agree with Steve, torsion bars are great. You won't find a better ride.

 

Take a ride in my 86 and you will loooove your torsion bars.