Lift question
Thread Starter
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Trailering
Joined: Jan 2014
Posts: 17
Likes: 0
Lift question
Forgive my ignorance when it comes to lifting, I've been a Mustang guy the last 15 years and need guidance for this situation. I recently picked up a 99 SD that's lifted 3". My problem is the front is on 3" blocks, and I want them gone. I don't necessarily want to go higher, as I think it looks good at the current height on 35's. Plus, my wife and son ride in it quite a bit and it's already hard enough for them to climb up.
My question is this: can I simply swap a 3" lifted leaf on the front, or will I need to do drop pitmans and the like? What's the best and most cost effective way to keep it the same only safe?
My question is this: can I simply swap a 3" lifted leaf on the front, or will I need to do drop pitmans and the like? What's the best and most cost effective way to keep it the same only safe?
Posting Guru
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 2,043
Likes: 4
replace it with a mini spring pack.... get them off eBay.....honestly I`d worry more about them slick tires than that block going anywhere.......you could even have it welded and never worry about it coming out.....nice looking truck I`ll be sad to see my 99 go when I sell it
Token Redneck
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 9,339
Likes: 350
From: Breckenridge, TX
FTE Leadership Emeritus
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 23,174
Likes: 1,678
From: Stephensville WI
Look up a local automotive spring shop and give them a call. Ask them if they can fabricate up some custom springs for you.
Benz Springs is one shop I have dealt with when I lived in the Seattle area. Take a look at this web page, where they did basically what you want to do to your truck, but to an Excursion with an 8 inch lift.
Benz Spring Company Repair Shop
Benz Springs is one shop I have dealt with when I lived in the Seattle area. Take a look at this web page, where they did basically what you want to do to your truck, but to an Excursion with an 8 inch lift.
Benz Spring Company Repair Shop
Lead Driver
Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 7,460
Likes: 85
From: Kent Station, WA
Plenty of members have used either the zone or pro comp springs with good results. Honestly I would just replace it with the zone kit which is rated for 2.5" of lift.
Not sure where you are located but you may want to remove the drop in bed liner, they tend to keep alot of stuff underneath. Also whats with the tint on the back window?
Nice looking truck by the way. Welcome to FTE.
Not sure where you are located but you may want to remove the drop in bed liner, they tend to keep alot of stuff underneath. Also whats with the tint on the back window?
Nice looking truck by the way. Welcome to FTE.
Thread Starter
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Trailering
Joined: Jan 2014
Posts: 17
Likes: 0
The problem is I need the full 3", if not a little more. With this tire/wheel setup I just BARELY clear on full lock. If I were to go 2.5" I'd be rubbing all over.
The tint, ha. PO replaced the slider section and whoever tinted it did a crap job, it's lifting and peeling. No worries, it's on the list.
The tint, ha. PO replaced the slider section and whoever tinted it did a crap job, it's lifting and peeling. No worries, it's on the list.
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Thread Starter
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Trailering
Joined: Jan 2014
Posts: 17
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So, is a mini pack really safer than the front block setup? Any other ideas on getting a full 3" for the front? Or should i just go with a larger, full kit?
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Brett Foote
Lead Driver
Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 7,460
Likes: 85
From: Kent Station, WA
A spring pack or custom springs are the best option. Otherwise a spring pack and extended shackles would be another option. I do think tuff country makes a full 3" lift though. Another thought is if you order springs for a diesel it may lift more due to the weight differences. With 35" tires all that is truly needed is a leveling kit and proper backspacing on the wheels.
New User
Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 20
Likes: 0
I had 3" Superlift front springs on my 03 f250. They rode a little better than the stock springs. Seems like there was 2 or 3 pretty thick leaves from the factory whereas the new pack had at least 5 thinner ones. I would definitely recommend them especially if you have the 3 3/4" f350 blocks in back. The factory pitman arm worked fine. I also had Bilstein shocks.
New User
Joined: Jan 2014
Posts: 20
Likes: 0
From: NW Indiana
I have Pro-Comp and love them. They even have anti-friction pads on each tapered leaf. I have a 4" lift though, not sure if they even make a 3". A 4" lift is pretty much the standard for running 35s. Mine don't rub and I actually take her wheeling. If you're going any higher than a level... you'll want to do the pitman arm to maintain factory geometry in the steering.
Posting Guru
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 2,043
Likes: 4
mini pack is fine it uses a centering pin that goes thru pack on both sides it won`t come out and its the cheapest option and its perfectly safe and you can get a 3" pack.....I wouldn't bother with a 4" lift kit rather have the 3" mini pack for a fraction of the price anything more than that you might as well get a 6" kit like Rough Countrys 6" which can be had for $879 off eBay
Thread Starter
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Trailering
Joined: Jan 2014
Posts: 17
Likes: 0
I stopped at a spring shop today and asked about having a mini pack built. He said my truck was "fine, they do that on big trucks", and "there will never be a problem if the u bolts are tight". I can get the mini pack for $125, I'm just going to place the order and hope I get the same lift out of it. Thanks for the input guys!
Cargo Master
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 3,450
Likes: 13
From: Forest lake minnesota
I stopped at a spring shop today and asked about having a mini pack built. He said my truck was "fine, they do that on big trucks", and "there will never be a problem if the u bolts are tight". I can get the mini pack for $125, I'm just going to place the order and hope I get the same lift out of it. Thanks for the input guys!
