Leveling Kit
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5th Wheeling
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 35
Likes: 1
From: Ormond Beach, Florida
Leveling Kit
I have a 2000 F250 diesel that I would like to update a bit. The local tire center suggested a leveling kit so that I could install slightly larger tires/wheels. What should I know about this? What should a kit installed cost? Are there different styles of kits? One brand better than the other? If you happen to live in Phoenix, do you have a recommended installer/sales place?
Post Fiend
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 5,470
Likes: 3
From: Pea Ridge, AR
There are entirely new spring sets with built in arch, there are mini leaf packs, which are just short leafs to stack on the original spring set, and there are also longer shackles.
I went mini leaf, 2.7" of short springs, this allows for me to clear 35's. I bought them through sanderson welding for around $75 IIRC.
I went mini leaf, 2.7" of short springs, this allows for me to clear 35's. I bought them through sanderson welding for around $75 IIRC.
Cargo Master
Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 2,885
Likes: 778
From: SoCal/Wyoming
You might find answers for your questions here:
Leveling Kits, Truck Leveling Kits, & Suspension Leveling Kits from 4 Wheel Parts
Leveling Kits, Truck Leveling Kits, & Suspension Leveling Kits from 4 Wheel Parts
Elder User
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 511
Likes: 2
My truck has a 2" leveling shackle kit. It has 285/75's on it and looks really good stand alone. However with the car hauler hitched up and the 'Stang inside, as you can guess it sits lower in the back than in front....the opposite of the problem the leveling kit was installed for. So if you are towing a lot keep that in mind.
More Turbo
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 533
Likes: 9
From: santa rosa, ca
i went with a 2.5" kit. leveled her right out. ran 315/75/16 with rub then installed airbags and installed new 285/75/16's with no rub. but with the airbags, the rear-end sits a bit higher again.
leveling kits are nice. i recommend!
leveling kits are nice. i recommend!
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5th Wheeling
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 35
Likes: 1
From: Ormond Beach, Florida
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Laughing Gas
Joined: Oct 2013
Posts: 861
Likes: 7
From: AZ
Talk to the guys at Valley Spring Service they can do what ever you want. They build some of their owns parts and can do it on the cheap.
They lifted my 05' Excursion 4 inches, re-arced the front and rear springs with an add-a-leaf in the rear. Can't remember how much but it was definitely less than $1000 for all 4 corners parts and labor. For just your front it should be pretty cheap.
The front did ride a little stiffer though but I was ok with that.
Valley Spring Service
2542 E Jefferson St, Phoenix, AZ 85034
(602) 275-0445
They lifted my 05' Excursion 4 inches, re-arced the front and rear springs with an add-a-leaf in the rear. Can't remember how much but it was definitely less than $1000 for all 4 corners parts and labor. For just your front it should be pretty cheap.
The front did ride a little stiffer though but I was ok with that.
Valley Spring Service
2542 E Jefferson St, Phoenix, AZ 85034
(602) 275-0445
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Hotshot
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 11,288
Likes: 269
From: North of Greenville
I've been down this road. Some things to consider when leveling just the front end are as follows:
1. Pay careful attention to what happens to your front shocks. If you only raise the height of the front and the upper end of the shock is the only part which moves (like on a 2wd), then you have taken your shocks outside their normal travel range and can experience a degraded ride quality as well as potential shock damage from pushing them to their limits of motion.
2. You may need to shim your center carrier bearing to compensate for the slight change in geometry with the elevated front end. Some people have debated me on this, but I saw it clearly happen when I used a 2" leveling kit on the front of my 2wd F250.
3. Make sure to get your alignment checked thoroughly and adjusted after installing the kit.
4. You will see a slight decrease in fuel economy when you raise the front end.
1. Pay careful attention to what happens to your front shocks. If you only raise the height of the front and the upper end of the shock is the only part which moves (like on a 2wd), then you have taken your shocks outside their normal travel range and can experience a degraded ride quality as well as potential shock damage from pushing them to their limits of motion.
2. You may need to shim your center carrier bearing to compensate for the slight change in geometry with the elevated front end. Some people have debated me on this, but I saw it clearly happen when I used a 2" leveling kit on the front of my 2wd F250.
3. Make sure to get your alignment checked thoroughly and adjusted after installing the kit.
4. You will see a slight decrease in fuel economy when you raise the front end.
Postmaster
Joined: Jun 2014
Posts: 3,206
Likes: 3
From: Oakhust NJ Jersey Shore
Front leveling springs are acouple hundred bucks tops, I brought brand new procomp 6" springs, front and rear for $500. then I went with the adjustable trac arm, dropped pitman arm, and a set of rancho's all from J.C. Whitney. Free shipping plus a 20% discount, got my whole lift done for 8 and change. Now im running 35 toyo at's on procomps 16X10 rims. No rubbing any where, I made my own drop brackets for the bump stops. I also left the 350 4" blocks and the overload leaf in the rear, and the front had a drop shackle kit in it from the previous owner that I left in, It's like im running almost 9 inches of lift and have no worries about tire rub, when these wear out im going to 38"s. 
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