Leveling kit
Senior User
Joined: Aug 2016
Posts: 160
Likes: 1
ByersFarm he was thinking I still thought the 17's still run leaf springs up front.. Lol
I'll snap some pics tomorrow before I go get the tires put on,still tempted to go 37's but I think I should stay with 35's for Towing the Toy Hauler.
Yes the 350's need a leveling kit if your not gonna tow 24/7 IMOP due to the rake.
I'll snap some pics tomorrow before I go get the tires put on,still tempted to go 37's but I think I should stay with 35's for Towing the Toy Hauler.
Yes the 350's need a leveling kit if your not gonna tow 24/7 IMOP due to the rake.
Junior User
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 68
Likes: 0
From: Hunter
ByersFarm he was thinking I still thought the 17's still run leaf springs up front.. Lol
I'll snap some pics tomorrow before I go get the tires put on,still tempted to go 37's but I think I should stay with 35's for Towing the Toy Hauler.
Yes the 350's need a leveling kit if your not gonna tow 24/7 IMOP due to the rake.
I'll snap some pics tomorrow before I go get the tires put on,still tempted to go 37's but I think I should stay with 35's for Towing the Toy Hauler.
Yes the 350's need a leveling kit if your not gonna tow 24/7 IMOP due to the rake.
Post Fiend
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 5,158
Likes: 35
From: North of Salt Lake City
The alignment shop will have the information on the bushings. I forget the name of the manufacturer but it's a name you'd recognize. You might want to call ahead and make sure they have them ready for you. It will save an hour or two while their parts truck zooms to another shop.
Senior User
Joined: Sep 2015
Posts: 316
Likes: 0
From: Potsdam, NY
You won't be using shims on a coil spring truck. Shims are for leaf sprung trucks.
You need bushings and longer lower arms to put it back to factory specs. You axle has also been pushed rearward as well as off to the side.
With caster half the factory spec any play in your front end will make the wheels wobble like an old shopping cart.
You need bushings and longer lower arms to put it back to factory specs. You axle has also been pushed rearward as well as off to the side.
With caster half the factory spec any play in your front end will make the wheels wobble like an old shopping cart.
Negative. Look at the upper ball joint. It has an eccentric in there and they are made in many different degree settings. You just have to remove the OEM one that is there and replace with one that will add the caster back in. I had a BDS 2" level in my 2010 F350 that came with these eccentrics called "Ball Joint Alignment Cams"
Senior User
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 167
Likes: 1
Good point. Ford would have to provide either a different track bar or a different (lower) track bar bracket. Which raises this point: If the front end is two inches higher with the snow plow package, which part numbers are different? Track bar or bracket? HOLY SMOKES! Ford may already make a leveling bracket! 
Who has the parts book?
Who has the parts book?Has it been confirmed that the plow package trucks sit higher? If so, I need to revise my build and ad the plow package.
Cargo Master
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 3,336
Likes: 4
From: Western New York
If you read the spring specifications all front springs at varying weights are the same length. If the plow package sits higher (without the plow) it would be due to the front springs not being compressed as far due to their higher rating (6000 lbs) compared to the standard springs which rise in 400 lb increments from 3800 lbs. The 4x2 springs are designed at 12.2 inches at design load and the 4x4 springs at 14.7 inches (F-250 - F-450). Since vehicle design is at rated weight and deflection I would imagine the components are set and designed for the operating rate and any difference in height would be due to stiffer components rather than purposeful height difference.
See page 14 of the specifications for the deflection rates of the front springs.
https://www.fleet.ford.com/truckbbas...kups_PRINT.PDF
See page 14 of the specifications for the deflection rates of the front springs.
https://www.fleet.ford.com/truckbbas...kups_PRINT.PDF
Post Fiend
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 5,158
Likes: 35
From: North of Salt Lake City
We're still waiting to hear if the bar or bracket is different for a snow plow prepped truck. The bottom line is if the snow plow prepped truck sits 2.5 inches higher when unladen, Ford has either accommodated that via a change to bar or bracket or they simply accept the variance and consider the steering geometry correct when the snow plow is attached or not. We're just waiting for confirmation of part numbers to see if the bars or brackets are different. That will tell a lot.
FTE Stories
Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts
AEV FXL Super Duty - the Super Duty Raptor Ford Doesn't Make
Brett Foote
Lobo Vs Lobo: Proof the F-150 Lobo Should Be Even Lower!
Michael S. Palmer
Ford's 2001 Explorer Sportsman Concept Looks For a New Home
Verdad Gallardo
10 Best Ford Truck Engines We Miss the Most!
Joe Kucinski
2026 Shelby F-150 Off-Road: Better Than a Raptor R?
Brett Foote
2027 Super Duty Carhartt Package First Look: 12 Things You NEED to Know!
Michael S. Palmer
10 Most Surprising 2026 Ford Truck Features!
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 Ford Trucks Coming to Mecum Indy 2026
Brett Foote
5 Best / 5 Worst Ford Truck Wheels of All Time
Joe Kucinski
More Turbo
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 565
Likes: 1
From: Middletown,NJ
We're still waiting to hear if the bar or bracket is different for a snow plow prepped truck. The bottom line is if the snow plow prepped truck sits 2.5 inches higher when unladen, Ford has either accommodated that via a change to bar or bracket or they simply accept the variance and consider the steering geometry correct when the snow plow is attached or not. We're just waiting for confirmation of part numbers to see if the bars or brackets are different. That will tell a lot.
Post Fiend
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 5,158
Likes: 35
From: North of Salt Lake City
I'd be willing to bet you're right on this for the same reason the aftermarket leveling kits/installers say that an adjustable track bar or different track bar bracket isn't necessary for a leveling kit. Regardless of the factory spring chosen, they all probably sit within a tolerance that is acceptable to Ford.
So the manufacturers of the two inch spring spacers are correct when they say track bar re-positioning is not needed. But they're probably just barely correct. Anything more than 2 inches would actually be outside acceptable tolerances.
More Turbo
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 565
Likes: 1
From: Middletown,NJ
So the manufacturers of the two inch spring spacers are correct when they say track bar re-positioning is not needed. But they're probably just barely correct. Anything more than 2 inches would actually be outside acceptable tolerances.[/QUOTE]
I agree with you, probably not necessary but knowing it's off would bother me enough to get the relocator bracket or the adjustable track bar.
I agree with you, probably not necessary but knowing it's off would bother me enough to get the relocator bracket or the adjustable track bar.
Trailering
Joined: Aug 2016
Posts: 23
Likes: 0
One factor I am considering is the total height my truck will be after I install the 2.5" kit and 35" or 37" tires. Will it still go through my local automatic car wash???? With the additional cab height, it may be an issue. It sure is nice to be able to drive it through on Friday afternoon instead of going home and spending an hour or so cleaning it......
Senior User
Joined: Apr 2016
Posts: 274
Likes: 0
So are you guys saying that a snow plow truck has a more stressful angle on the ball joints just like a level has been known to do? I always thought that they accounted for this, but now that i think about it, since the plow package is only $85, so i doubt that includes different joints and what not. Im sure it would still be in tolerance, but just not as good as one without the package. I dont know, im just guessing.
More Turbo
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 565
Likes: 1
From: Middletown,NJ
So are you guys saying that a snow plow truck has a more stressful angle on the ball joints just like a level has been known to do? I always thought that they accounted for this, but now that i think about it, since the plow package is only $85, so i doubt that includes different joints and what not. Im sure it would still be in tolerance, but just not as good as one without the package. I dont know, im just guessing.
Although a level kit on a solid axle, control arm suspension does change your caster angle, I"m not sure that it necessarily puts more stress on the ball joints, but I guess it's possible.