OK, so here's the deal: I just bought an '03 4x4 xtra cab f250. I want to level it and put weld 16.5x10 and BFG 35's. But along with the new truck I got a new wife , she won't let me spend that much money at one time. Would it look really bad with the levelling kit and stock tires/wheels? Also can someone recommend a leveling kit to me? I'm new to the Ford family!

 

Welcome to FTE.


As far as leveling kits I would go a route that does not affect spring rate. So a hanger and shackle or a mini spring pack would be the way to go. And from what I have seen a 2" leveling kit generally levels the F-250.......any of the 3-3.5" leveling kits would need you to swap out your rear F-250 block for the block out of a F-350 to prevent having the nose down look.

As far as the hanger and shackles there are many companies who offer them (Edge, Fabtech, BDS, and RCD to name a few in the 2-3.5" range). Some built better than others, some will include a full replacement boxed shackle while some will have a bracket to use with your stock shackle.

And for the 2" mini spring pack Edge is the only company that I know of that make one.

No matter what route you go I would look into some Bilstein 5100s since they are valved specific for the SD............also heard the good things about the Edelbrock shocks too.

I go with either 16", 17" or even 18" tall rims instead of the 16.5". The 16.5" rims rely more on air pressure to keep them seated properly on the rim. Weld is a very good choice in wheels IMO.

If you are looking to fit 35/12.5 tires on 10" wide wheels with just a leveling kit I wouldn't be surprised if you have some rubbing issues. A 4" lift would give you better clearance and even allow for some mild off roading with that setup. This will also vary depending on what motor you have and what code front springs you have. If you have the 5.4 with the x-code front springs you would have better clearance than a PSD with the u-codes.

And a leveling kit will make the stock tires and wheels look small........how it looks........it's all personal opinion.



Hope this helps.

 

If you were to go with 285s or 295s you could save on new wheels right now. You can pick up a leveling kit and use the factory wheels till you please the little lady. Look around for the best deal (Ebay is pretty good), shop the web and watch the local paper.

I'm in the same situation so good luck. Keep her happy or just keep the truck.

 

I am confused about the need for leveling kit. I just bought an all stock '00 PSD 4x4 SC LB and it sits level although it looks taller than most SD's I see on the road. It does have factory overload springs (rear) and both sway bars and does not have the plow springs up front. Do some need the level kit and some not? how do you tell what the acual spring rate is from the spring code?
Thanks
ps. I have learned alot from this great forum!

 

Does anyone usa a Rancho leveling kit. I did a search and didn't find any info.I have seen the ranco kit uses replacement springs for 2-1/2 inches of lift. I am deciding between this kit or the edge mini pak . thanks.

 

nad next post i will use spell check!lol!

 

What are plow springs, Freefam? Are they just the regular leaf springs on the front or is there some difference? I have leaf springs all the way around and thought all Superdutys had 'em. Good thing I come here to learn...lol Take care...Chris

 

All 4x4 SuperDuty's have leaf at all 4 corners, 4x2's don't. Plow springs are X rated leafs that have a higher weight rating and come on the plow package.

 

Not all SDs require a leveling kit....some look level from the factory. And a F-250 (since it has a smaller rear block) has a better chance of looking level than a F-350.

To know the weight rating of your front springs look at the sticker on the door jamb towards the upper left you'll see Front GAWR there will be the weight rating. Also could look towards the lower right on the sticker where it says SPR I believe and a couple of letters underneath it. The first letter will be what code front springs you have.


I suppose if my truck was level when I bought it I might have never gotten involved in this whole lift thing........but then what fun would that be .



Hope this helps.

 

I HAVE PUT IN 5 LEVELING KITS ON FORD SUPER DUTIES.. 3 WERE 4 DOOR SHORT BOX AND 2 WERE EX CAB SHORT BOX.. MINE IS A EX CAB SHORT BOX AND I PUT IN A LEVELING KIT FROM JACK IT ACCESSORIES.. I LOVE IT.. TIRES DO LOOK SMALL BIT IT LOOKS GOOD. DONT KNOW WHEN I BUY MY 35 INCHERS. ON A DIESEL YOU ADD A SPRING PACK OF 5 SPRINGS UP FRONT.. MY FRONT WENT UP 4 INCHES. BACK I ADDED A 1 INCH ADD A LEAF. DIDNT CHANGE RIDE TOO MUCH.. I GET A LOT OF LOOKS. ON A GAS MOTOR YOU HAVE TO REMOVE ONE SPRING FROM THE PACK UP FRONT DUE TO THE WEIGHT DIFFERENCE IN MOTORS.