Ideas for lifting
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New User
Joined: Apr 2012
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Ideas for lifting
I just bought an '09 F-150 XLT Super Crew. Love it (first truck). I do have one problem and couldn't find a thread on it. The truck rides low compared to other trucks. I can't buy a $2k lift and was curious what options there were for raising the truck off the ground. A friend suggested getting another suspension from a junkyard truck and fitting it but didn't know if that would work. All suggestions and criticisms are welcome. Thanks in advance.
Elder User
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 790
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From: Ontario, OH
were you looking for suspension or body lift. There are body lifts out there for $500-$600 or you could do a poor mans suspension lift with the leveling kit to raise the front and put 3" blocks in the rear.
Senior User
Joined: Mar 2012
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From: Farmington Maine
I would recommend doing what 04XLTRUNNER suggested. you can get a leveling kit for a few hundred or less (installed if you are less hands on) or you can do it your self for about $150. A leveling kit will allow you to fit 35's or bigger depending on the width without rubbing. that is your best bet. when you start lifting a vehicle large amounts you change angles of everything. a 6" lift requires a new set of rims with different offset and back spacing because the lift sucks the wheels closer to the body causing rubbing. Not to mention its hard on suspension parts and u-joints. I am looking at putting a leveling kit in my 2011 in the near future.
Cargo Master
Joined: Feb 2007
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From: ME
If you're on small budget just do a leveling kit with bigger tires. I only paid $75 for mine and another $50 for an alignment. However, the tires weren't cheap. It's your best bang for your buck if you can't afford a suspension lift. I'm too old for a suspension lift. I have a friend with a 6" lift on his 2011. It looks bada$$ but I wouldn't want to climb into it too often. I'd never even consider a body lift, but that is just my opinion.
Cargo Master
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 2,474
Likes: 24
From: ME
I would recommend doing what 04XLTRUNNER suggested. you can get a leveling kit for a few hundred or less (installed if you are less hands on) or you can do it your self for about $150. A leveling kit will allow you to fit 35's or bigger depending on the width without rubbing. that is your best bet. when you start lifting a vehicle large amounts you change angles of everything. a 6" lift requires a new set of rims with different offset and back spacing because the lift sucks the wheels closer to the body causing rubbing. Not to mention its hard on suspension parts and u-joints. I am looking at putting a leveling kit in my 2011 in the near future.
Maybe someday we'll see each other on the road in Farmington? I usually get over that way about once a week.
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New User
Joined: Apr 2012
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I'm not looking for a huge lift. Just something to get that main support bar off the ground. It seems funny to me that it rides so low. I think i'll have to go with the leveling kit. @NASSTY where did you get your kit from?
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Cargo Master
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 2,474
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From: ME
Senior User
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 186
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From: Farmington Maine
thats a nice looking truck. I'll have look for you around town. drop by the Maine chapter sometime.
Cargo Master
Joined: Feb 2007
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From: ME
They are stock 2011-12 FX4 20's, 20x8.5 w/ +44mm offset. The tires are 295/60/20 Nitto Trail Grapplers.
Resident smarta$$
Joined: Aug 2006
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From: Oaks,PA
What support bar? Whether you do a LK or a 4-6" suspension lift its only the size of the tire thats going to raise the underbelly of the truck. AFAIK you can do a 35" tire with a 2" LK, a 4" suspension lift and might be able to run a 37" tire with a 6"? Not sure on the 37, but you get the point. Spend $150 and get the 2" lk and 3" rear block and put the savings towards the 35's
Elder User
Joined: Jun 2010
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Is that the case with a IFS truck? If you lift the front you have gained clearance on the underbelly...it's only tires for a solid axle but IFS can see modest gains with just the lift at least for the front end.
Resident smarta$$
Joined: Aug 2006
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From: Oaks,PA
True, thats why I asked what support bar. I assume he means the center section of the front axle then? The SL would indeed raise that. Now that I think of it, a SL would raise the X-members etc also. My bad, sorry for the confusion 