Well I have a 95 F-150 and I'm trying to figure out weather I should lift or level it. I know if it lift it its good to change the gear ratio and some other things, but I don't know how gear ratios exactly work. And with a lift I hear its more wear on a truck. Well as for the level it won't look as big obviously, but will give it a OK look. I already have the 6inch Rough country lift on its way and will be here tomorrow, I'm just trying to figure out if that's what I really want to do. I also worry that the truck being as old as it is I don't want to have something go wrong, which I understand that is a possibility. Anyways, opinions? Maybe some advice of some one who has went through this? And I'm always like I should have done this and if I go the other route I'm going to wish I lifted it haha. Well thanks for any help.

 

id level. do some research on leveling. i bought the leveling springs for my 90 4X4 and it did raise it but not level. after doing some reading i found you need the springs plus a spacer to get it level. so you almost raise the front to 3". lift should affect your gear ratio, unless you go with bigger tires. ive thought of lowering the back of mine, do something with the shackles.

 

I'd lower the rear, new rear shackles is what I've been told. And I'm not sure what I should get.



Which one is best? This is out of the LMC Truck catalog...

 

just checked ebay and found a lot of lowering shackles, anywhere form $154.00 down to $42.00 with free shipping. i going to get a pair of the $42.00 ones. im tired of looking at my truck angling downhill. and the shackles are adjustable so you can choose between 1" or 2" drop. which for me even with leveling springs in the front will require the 2". i have air bags on the rear anyway so if i put a load in ill still be alright. by the way the ones on ebay are for 2 wd or 4 wd. just check there feedback and see how many they have sold.

 

just bought a pair. he has sold a lot of them and the people are happy. here is the item number and a pic.
Item number:180914241488 well i cant add a pic but you can type in the item number.

 

Why would you drop when you can lift though? I love the look of our model trucks when they are lifted with a nice set of 35's. Almost as good as a lifted bull nose.

 

because i dont need 35" tires. my truck is used for work, although i still keep it nice. its already hard enough to get things out of the toolbox i sure dont need it any higher. as for looks well i have a 55 ****** jeep with 33" and a 4" lift for off roading. ive always like the look of ford truck 4X4 with the front end just a little higher than the rear. anyway i checked and my rear fenders are 2" higher form the top of the tire to the fender lip than the front tires so i should be pretty much level. hey to each there own. a friend of mine has 35" on his dodge, would want his tire replacement bill. plus re-gearing. any ill take some pics of mine before and after. just for what its worth i have 8" from the top off my rear tire to the curve in the fender wheel. forgot i cant post pictures.

 

Like you said to each their own I guess. It just doesn't make sense to me because he already has the 6" lift bought and payed for so why spend the extra money to go the opposite way. You could pull off a 6inch lift with only 33's and that's less than 200 a tire for cepek's.

 

Thanks guys for the opinions. Not to crazy about the lowering part, but I can see what u guys are saying. And I'm more of the lift the truck style, that's why I was wondering what would benefit more. Anyways if I do decide to lift does anyone know what gear ratio I should do, and how hard is it to replace or change? Also what is the 95 F-150 XLT stock gear ratio?

 

There were a few options for the rear end. There will be a code on your driver door sill. If your just lifting it you don't need change the rear end but a 6" lift would look very dopy with the stock 275's. I would go at-least a 33" if not a 35" and for the rear end I would go with 4.10's at the minimum but preferably a 4.56 if you go the 35" route. As far as doing the rear gear swap yourself, unless your very good with mechanical jobs I would steer clear from it because it's not easy and requires special tools. Your best bet would be to get a whole axle from a off-road website and bolt it up yourself and sell your old one. To do this set-up properly, your looking at a hefty bill. I would say that unless your prepared to fork over some dough, sell the 6" or return it and get a leveling kit with front spacers and add a leaf. You could top that off with some nice 33"s and you have yourself a nice stance that won't kill the bank.

 

You also didn't specify if you were 4x4 or 2x2? Don't forget when you re-gear, you have to do front and back if your 4x4.

 

2wd sorry forgot.