Need help with lift kit spring selection
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Need help with lift kit spring selection
Hello all,
Although, I've been hot rodding for decades, off road 4x4's are not my thing, but I've sort of inherited a problem.
My daughter and her fiance bought a 2003 F-250 diesel 4x4, which has been lifter to the stratosphere.
Problem is it won't pass VA state inspection because whoever did the lift, used 2 1/2 inch lift blocks in the front suspension, which is a no-no in VA. I suspect it was done to keep from purchasing the correct springs, which we now need to find.
I do NOT know what springs to ask for! There are 6 inch lift blocks in the rear, so does this make this a 'six inch lift kit'?
The truck does sit level, so it may be that I need front springs for a 'six inch lift kit'.
My confusion lies in that I called one outfit that does lift kits and was told that if it has 6 inch blocks in the rear, then it's a 8 inch lift. Duh! some sense that makes!
All the rest of the parts are there and working (shocks, brake line extensions, etc) I just need springs and U-bolts.
Can someone shed some light on this for me? I'm sure it's not 'rocket science', but I'm in an area where I know NOTHING.
Thanks in advance.
RadioSteve
Although, I've been hot rodding for decades, off road 4x4's are not my thing, but I've sort of inherited a problem.
My daughter and her fiance bought a 2003 F-250 diesel 4x4, which has been lifter to the stratosphere.
Problem is it won't pass VA state inspection because whoever did the lift, used 2 1/2 inch lift blocks in the front suspension, which is a no-no in VA. I suspect it was done to keep from purchasing the correct springs, which we now need to find.
I do NOT know what springs to ask for! There are 6 inch lift blocks in the rear, so does this make this a 'six inch lift kit'?
The truck does sit level, so it may be that I need front springs for a 'six inch lift kit'.
My confusion lies in that I called one outfit that does lift kits and was told that if it has 6 inch blocks in the rear, then it's a 8 inch lift. Duh! some sense that makes!
All the rest of the parts are there and working (shocks, brake line extensions, etc) I just need springs and U-bolts.
Can someone shed some light on this for me? I'm sure it's not 'rocket science', but I'm in an area where I know NOTHING.
Thanks in advance.
RadioSteve
i ain't rite
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 65,511
Likes: 5,567
From: Marlboro Mental Hospital.
welcome to FTE.
my advice would be to either get rid of the lift blocks front and rear and put 6 inch lift springs on all four corners, or better yet, return it to stock height.
my advice would be to either get rid of the lift blocks front and rear and put 6 inch lift springs on all four corners, or better yet, return it to stock height.
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Tom,
I'm really with you on this, BUT I have to 'play the hand I've been dealt'. I think this will go down as a great big lesson learned.
I need to do what I have to do in order to get this truck on the road. In the future, at the convenience of all, money and time-wise, we can look at un-doing what has been done.
I could order the front springs for both the 6 inch and 8 inch kits, sending back what I don't use, but I'm sure it's an easy answer for those in the know.
Steve
I'm really with you on this, BUT I have to 'play the hand I've been dealt'. I think this will go down as a great big lesson learned.
I need to do what I have to do in order to get this truck on the road. In the future, at the convenience of all, money and time-wise, we can look at un-doing what has been done.
I could order the front springs for both the 6 inch and 8 inch kits, sending back what I don't use, but I'm sure it's an easy answer for those in the know.
Steve
i ain't rite
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 65,511
Likes: 5,567
From: Marlboro Mental Hospital.
are there 2 blocks in the back, a 6 inch and the stock 2 inch, or just one 8 inch block?
if there are 2, then get a set of 6 inch springs for the front. if there is only one 8 inch block, get the 8 inch springs for the front.
this will be cheaper for down the road when you drop it, you will just have to look for a set of stock front springs and maybe a set of rear 2 inch blocks.
if there are 2, then get a set of 6 inch springs for the front. if there is only one 8 inch block, get the 8 inch springs for the front.
this will be cheaper for down the road when you drop it, you will just have to look for a set of stock front springs and maybe a set of rear 2 inch blocks.
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Didn't even consider there may be blocks in the rear, in the stock configuration.
Knees are bad, so the mechanic got under the truck with a tape measure and declared 'six inch block'.
As you may have guessed since I mentioned 'mechanic', there are more issues with this truck than just riser blocks, but those I can deal with.
Apparently, this truck was used set up for rock crawler, whether or not, it was actually ever used for that, I don't know.
Steve
Knees are bad, so the mechanic got under the truck with a tape measure and declared 'six inch block'.
As you may have guessed since I mentioned 'mechanic', there are more issues with this truck than just riser blocks, but those I can deal with.
Apparently, this truck was used set up for rock crawler, whether or not, it was actually ever used for that, I don't know.
Steve
Lead Driver
Joined: Sep 2010
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Sounds like it was setup for Mall crawling.
No idea on the size of lift but pics of the truck from a side veiw along with pics of both front and rear springs and the exact tire size would help with identifying. My money is if it has a 6" rear block and only one meaning the the stock one is gone is that it is a 3-4" lift hence the use of a 2.5" front block chances are they didnt put on springs and blocks in the front....
No idea on the size of lift but pics of the truck from a side veiw along with pics of both front and rear springs and the exact tire size would help with identifying. My money is if it has a 6" rear block and only one meaning the the stock one is gone is that it is a 3-4" lift hence the use of a 2.5" front block chances are they didnt put on springs and blocks in the front....
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Larry and all,
Will get some pics tomorrow. I believe, from memory, that they are 38" tires.
'Mall crawling' is a term I've never heard before, but it needs no explanation!
Will get some pics tomorrow. I believe, from memory, that they are 38" tires.
'Mall crawling' is a term I've never heard before, but it needs no explanation!
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