I am in the market for a spring hanger lift kit for my 2001 F250 CC 4x4 V8. I am looking at the Fabtech 3½" spring hanger kit + Bilstein shocks or Donahoe Racing's Edge 3" spring hanger kit (w/Bilsteins). The ½" doesn't make a difference to me.
Is there a reason I should buy one over the other?
I heard the front bumper has to be pulled to install the Fabtech kit. Is the same true with the Edge?

 

The Edge comes with a full replacement shackle while the Fabtech comes with a bracket to relocate the stock shackle.


Hope this helps.

 

89CrewCab,

The Fabtech hangers are nice but the Edge hangers are better built and actually less expensive. And, DCSpecial is correct. The Edge kit includes replacement shackles vs. a relocation bracket with the Fabtech.

 

the fabtech's will get you by, but the EDGE in a more race oriented application with more progressive spring rates and custom valving.. so for the best performance go EDGE!

 

I think the fabtech comes with it's own blocker bar I don't think the edge does. I don't know if your 01 has one or not but it might be somthing to look into. (my 02 does)

 

The Edge Hangers do come with a blocker bar.

 

whats the blocker bar guys?

 

yea ive been into liftin chevys for years now and never heard the term "blocker bar" wat the heck are you ford guys talkin about?

 

My mistake Donahoe I didn't know they did.

The "blocker bar" I a smaller cross member that is bolted on the front spring hangers below the bumper, and behind the front air dam. The earlier superduty's didn't have them I think they started putting them on in 01 or 02. It is susposed to keep you from running over smaller car in the case of a wreck I think.

 

Ok, thanks for the reponses guys.
I think I am sold on the Edge kit.

Install: How easy is it to install myself? Does the front bumper have to come off? If it does, does it come off easy? Anything else I should be aware of?

 

89CrewCab,

Very easy install with no specialty tools required. Removing the front bumper takes less than 5 minutes. Simply remove the bolt from each of the corner support brackets and then the 4 bolts located on the front of the bumper by the tow hooks (6 bolts total). You will need to unplug your driving lights and detach your engine block heater cord as well. The rest of the install is simply R & R. We do them in about 3 hours so it shouldn't take you more than about 4. Shoot me an e-mail if you would like more details.

 

overkill you need to remeber what a full up professional suspension shop can accomplish in 3 hours and what most of us in our garage can accomplish in 3 hours is DIFFERNT!! id say allot your self a Saturday to get this done and be perpared to have a jack setup that can get to the frame cause your going to have to get the weight off the axle.... this can be tough with standard jack behind the seat!!!
Jetjock16

 

Thanks for the responses, Overkill and Jetjock16.

I do have the large 6 ton ratcheting jack stands, 3½ ton jack, a pretty good assortment of tools, including air, along with a 20-something year old nephew and his friends for extra grunt .
We will just make a party out of it! .

I also plan on adding a 1" block to the rear.

FWIW, We were camping at the beach last weekend and I saw a guy with a SD equipped with the Fabtech 3½" spring hanger kit and a 1" block and looked exactly how I want mine to look.

 

A couple more question: Will I need to worry about brake lines? --> Meaning do I need extended brake lines for this size lift?
Track bar --> do I need the adjustable one for this size lift?
Thanks

 

89CC,

There is no need for lengthening your brake lines. Though not required, I do recommend going with the adjustable track bar. This will allow you to maintain axle centering and in the case of the Edge bar will minimize suspension bind.