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My 2000 F250 4wd has the typical nose down stance, so I'm looking at leveling kits. I see two different ways to do this on the cheap. One is the spring pack
Here is the shackle model: http://www.jackit.com/wrr151.html
What is the benefits of one vs. the other? Would I have to install an adjustable track bar with either of these? Get the front end aligned after install?
I occasionally tow a fifth wheel or load a 1500 lb camper on the bed. I've got air ride air springs in the rear that I air up when the truck is loaded. Will a leveling kit negatively affect the towing?
Personally I'd do a shackle over that mini pack. The pack you have to bolt to the springs with a new center pin, and put new u bolts on. Basically it's more work to get the same job done as a shackle. You don't need to align it when your done, or get a adjustable trac bar for only 2 inches. Both methods you are looking at shouldn't change the ride quality at all either.
I totally get trying to save money, but this doesn't solve one of the other problems you may or may not have. I had a set of separated springs from the factory on my 2000 Lariat:
The ride was absolutely terrible, particularly on cement seems on the freeway. I paid close attention to bumps in the road and realized the front bump was far worse than the rear bump. I tried new "deluxe" Gabriel shocks, wore them out quickly, then tried Bilsteins. While shocks helped, they didn't clean it up. I changed out the front springs to X-codes:
This lifted the nose 2 inches, making it almost level with the rear - but the ride was the huge difference. My wife and I used to joke about the need for lids on our coffees to keep the roof clean - but now we no longer wince as a bump nears the nose.
That shackle kit doesn't seem like it would do much since it is only the shackles for the back of the front leafs and nothing for the front.
Here is a good kit this place is local to me and they do a lot of lifts and its quality equipment. www.sky-manufacturing.com - 9904FordSuperduty4x42quotHangerLevelingKit
I did the add a leaf in the front. From plowing snow mine had a front sag as well. It brought it right back to factory maybe a inch higher. I loved it. I think it was like a $150 bucks through summit.
The shackle kit will lift the truck in the front at good 1.5- 2inches, I had one for several years. I had been fighting with a condition where my truck was crabbing down the road. Turns out, yes, you do need a linger control arm. I recently replaced all 4 springs and the front kit came with the control arm and it was about 1.5 inches longer.
Had both, I would prefer the spring pack, (night and day over stock, 5 leafs) over shackle. When I added 6" springs they already had multiple leafs in springs and I still added 3" shackles, between rear blocks and shackles its nice to have the "changeability" to raise or lower either end to make it look like a truck instead of a hillbilly rocket in a state of constant launch in a drive-thru or down the road.
EDIT: Unless you have "alignment equipment", or know someone who does, always get the truck aligned after any and all altercation... Adjustable track bar? I had a lot of issues on others advise that was a waste of time, money and drive-ability. I made my own and has been firm, reliable and steady (for 7 years, beach, mud, snow, swamp, rock, asphalt or concrete)...
Lifting your truck is like lifting a woman,,,,, "does she want me too?''' "does she agree with her lifted height? Does she acknowledge that she will be a vision of redneck perfection? Will it cost more money than a ***** transplant/enlargement? Will it be better/more costly than a 34 spline axle replacement, in a Mexican prison??
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