What is the deal with Coil Springs that lift your truck? Are they a good idea or a bad idea? I am thinking that if they raise your truck, then they are stiffer, which ammounts to a rougher ride.

I want to gain a few more inches, but I don't want to pay alot for a suspension lift.
Are coil springs a bad idea or a good idea?

 

For example Explorer Pro Comp has these coil springs for my truck ('94 F150 4X4) and they say that it will raise my truck 4". Now I need to raise the back, but do I use lift blocks or add-a-leaf? And what about shocks? Are they affected by this?

 

While many of the lift kit springs may be stiffer than stock springs, they get their lift by being longer. There are some companies that claim their springs give a better ride than stock also. To lift the front any more than about 1.5" - 2", you need a complete lift kit that includes axle pivot drop brackets, usually a dropped pitman arm for the steering, and at least radius arm drop brackets or preferably new, extended radius arms.

There are a few options for the back. Lift blocks are the cheapest, but they are also the worst way to do it. They can cause severe axle wrap problems. The next best way, and more expensive, is an add-a-leaf. This will raise the truck, but definately make the ride stiffer. The best way, and most expensive, is with a completely new set of springs.

You will definately need new shocks if going with a 4" lift because the lift places the shock mounts farther apart. Stock length shocks could literally get ripped apart the first time you got any flex in the suspension.

BTW - DO NOT GO CHEAP! Buying a cheap lift kit is just begging for problems. The kit that was on my truck when I bought it caused the front crossmember to crack. I've now spent over $700 replacing parts of the lift kit and having the frame welded back together. Do it right, or you'll be sorry later on.

 

what all comes in a suspention lift kit for an '89 F150 4x4?

 

no, no, no. Wait. So leveling springs are a better idea than lifting springs? Does anyone know were to get some? Are the very expensive?

 

If your looking for all around lift, do it right the first time, buy a complete lift kit. If your looking to level the front the leveling coils are fine. Like mrwizard said, don't go cheap. I had a 4" rough country lift on the front of my 93 F150 (Which I am looking to sell), I never beat that hard on the truck, the very few situations where the truck took some pounding i never had any problems, no cracked brackets or crossmembers. I ripped all that out in place of a solid axle off a 79 Bronco, would never change it for the world.