Level it the right way!
Mountain Pass
Joined: Nov 2016
Posts: 111
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I agree! Sorry for derailing my own thread. Haha
Great video find mjf! As far as the shocks vs brackets go, from the kit prices (correct me if I'm wrong) it looks like the ready lift kit with extensions is $249 and the bds with new fox shocks is $333. So for an extra $84 you get 4 new fox shocks. Seems like a deal.
Great video find mjf! As far as the shocks vs brackets go, from the kit prices (correct me if I'm wrong) it looks like the ready lift kit with extensions is $249 and the bds with new fox shocks is $333. So for an extra $84 you get 4 new fox shocks. Seems like a deal.
Thread Starter
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Senior User
Joined: Sep 2016
Posts: 286
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From: Bothell Wa
It does appear that way at first glance but on BDS website, you have to click on " customize this kit" under the price on the R hand side of the page. Then you are directed to choose either the Fox shock or some cheaper variant. Total price with the Fox is $635.62, that's front and rear shocks.
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Senior User
Joined: Sep 2016
Posts: 286
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From: Bothell Wa
I did a quick search and here are a couple that I came up with. The top 3 listed seemed to be more of a package although not what I would consider all inclusive. At this point we may need to piece together what we feel is necessary since each manufacturer says or supplies a different option. There may be more but this is what I was able to find that said they were for the 2017 model.
BDS 1" or 2"
Pro Comp 2.5"
Ready lift 2.5"
Rough Country 2"
Tough Country 2"
Daystar 2.5"
Energy Suspension 1"
BDS 1" or 2"
Pro Comp 2.5"
Ready lift 2.5"
Rough Country 2"
Tough Country 2"
Daystar 2.5"
Energy Suspension 1"
Mountain Pass
Joined: Nov 2016
Posts: 111
Likes: 0
I did a quick search and here are a couple that I came up with. The top 3 listed seemed to be more of a package although not what I would consider all inclusive. At this point we may need to piece together what we feel is necessary since each manufacturer says or supplies a different option. There may be more but this is what I was able to find that said they were for the 2017 model.
BDS 1" or 2"
Pro Comp 2.5"
Ready lift 2.5"
Rough Country 2"
Tough Country 2"
Daystar 2.5"
Energy Suspension 1"
BDS 1" or 2"
Pro Comp 2.5"
Ready lift 2.5"
Rough Country 2"
Tough Country 2"
Daystar 2.5"
Energy Suspension 1"
That being said, I'm also partial at this point to staying with a 2" over the 2.5", unless I see something else here that sways me. Replacing shocks on a brand new truck isn't something I've ever felt the need to do before, but I'd be willing to go ahead if it meant keeping a very very slight rake with the 2" BDS.
Junior User
Joined: Jan 2017
Posts: 54
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Glocksub if look at the readylift install video posted on page 2 of this thread and click on utube to watch it, in the comments section someone asks about the level from front to back and Stage3 answers that it still has a very, very slight rake...1/2 inch higher in the back.
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Cross-Country
Joined: Jul 2016
Posts: 55
Likes: 6
From: NJ
Leveling the truck (raising the front end 2-2.5") swings the ends of the sway bar down. The spacers (also called sway bar drop brackets) are used under the "D" clamp/bushings that bolts the sway bar to the truck frame. The spacers compensate for the lowering of the ends of the bar and allows the sway-bar to maintain proper alignment . You will find most lift kits that are 3" or higher will have them. The sway bar drop bracket for 2" lifts is one of those parts that I mentioned in my first post where it is "Well it is NOT REQUIRED, BUT...." It is just like the track bar bracket....it is not required for a 2-2.5" lift BUT the front axle will not be exactly centered and pulled to the drivers side. You want the axle centered? Then you put a track bar drop bracket on. Lifts OVER 3" will have the track bar drop bracket because at that height they become necessary since the axle will move even more to the drivers side and needs to be corrected. The same logic applies to the sway bar drop brackets.
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Senior User
Joined: Sep 2016
Posts: 286
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From: Bothell Wa
Leveling the truck (raising the front end 2-2.5") swings the ends of the sway bar down. The spacers (also called sway bar drop brackets) are used under the "D" clamp/bushings that bolts the sway bar to the truck frame. The spacers compensate for the lowering of the ends of the bar.
Mountain Pass
Joined: Nov 2016
Posts: 111
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Glocksub if look at the readylift install video posted on page 2 of this thread and click on utube to watch it, in the comments section someone asks about the level from front to back and Stage3 answers that it still has a very, very slight rake...1/2 inch higher in the back.
So, ideally with the addition of the track bar relocation bracket and the caster bushings , this kit should be a good route if you don't want to pay even more and replace shocks.....unless I'm mistaken somewhere.
Senior User
Joined: Sep 2016
Posts: 180
Likes: 0
You can call ReadyLift and they will send you a complete kit including the track bar drop bracket, brake line extension brackets, sway bar drops, shock extensions, bump stop extensions and 2.5" spacers (like the kit in the YouTube video + track bar bracket). Looks good, rides factory, axle is centered and my Truck has 1/4" rake still.
My guy installing it said the brake line extensions didn't fit but there is plenty of slack still so he didn't install them... I'm sure he was doing something wrong but I haven't looked into it, there is way more brake line slack than my 2011 had so I'm not worried.
And for the question as to whether all this is needed vs. just running spacers only. Well no for 2.5" and lower it's not but they make it so I want it, I want my factory ride quality and to prolong my suspension wear for as long as possible, so if they make it to help, then I want it. My last 3 Ford trucks just ran a 2.5" and 2" levels with nothing else and they performed fine but from the factory they never rode near as nice as this one, so I'm doing a little extra this time.
My guy installing it said the brake line extensions didn't fit but there is plenty of slack still so he didn't install them... I'm sure he was doing something wrong but I haven't looked into it, there is way more brake line slack than my 2011 had so I'm not worried.
And for the question as to whether all this is needed vs. just running spacers only. Well no for 2.5" and lower it's not but they make it so I want it, I want my factory ride quality and to prolong my suspension wear for as long as possible, so if they make it to help, then I want it. My last 3 Ford trucks just ran a 2.5" and 2" levels with nothing else and they performed fine but from the factory they never rode near as nice as this one, so I'm doing a little extra this time.
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Sep 2016
Posts: 1,613
Likes: 156
the ready lift kit seems to be the most complete kit.
the caster bushings and track bar bracket relocation are easy add ons.
i picked up that kit for those reasons.
in the future, I will probably swap the spacer and shocks for Carli springs, shocks, and add the adjustable track bar
the caster bushings and track bar bracket relocation are easy add ons.
i picked up that kit for those reasons.
in the future, I will probably swap the spacer and shocks for Carli springs, shocks, and add the adjustable track bar
Mountain Pass
Joined: Dec 2016
Posts: 185
Likes: 0
Keep looking at the Ready Lift 2.5 only because they offer it in a spring as well as spacer..
Like many of you I've been doing my research on leveling kits and there isn't much out there as of yet..
I came out of a 2015 Ram 2500 with 8 inches of lift and just want to go with something little moreconservative on my 2017 Super Duty..
Like many of you I've been doing my research on leveling kits and there isn't much out there as of yet..
I came out of a 2015 Ram 2500 with 8 inches of lift and just want to go with something little moreconservative on my 2017 Super Duty..