Skyjacker leveling kit
Senior User
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 146
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From: Nation Wide
Skyjacker leveling kit
I have one on my truck, 2001 gas 4x4 crew cab, It took about 2 wks for the front to settle down but now it rides with an ever so slight front up angle, however with the added weight of thr e diesel you should be fine, no adverse effects on ride.
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Junior User
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 72
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From: Canada
Skyjacker leveling kit
Sounds good. What size of tires are you running? The front end in mine is starting to drop because of the weight of the diesel. I want to get it back up and try to clear 35's.
Post Fiend
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 6,245
Likes: 1
From: IL, USA
Skyjacker leveling kit
Just a leveling kit would be a tight fit and I would expect to have rubbing in some situations....
If you want to clear 35" tires I'd recommend 4" if you mainly drive on the street and lightly off road.
If you off road hard I'd recommend 6" of lift for 35/12.5 tires.....I also think that the 6" and 35/12.5 looks the best.
Or, if you want to stick with a leveling kit I would go with 33/12.5 tires
Either a 33/12.5 or 35/12.5 should be mounted on a 8-10" wide rim.......check with the tire manufacturer specifications. I prefer the looks of them on 10" wide wheels myself. 8" wheels will provide better clearance if you stick to a smaller lift though.
As far as leveling kits go I prefer a method that doesn't increase spring rate like a hanger and shackle lift or a mini spring pack.
Whatever route you go I'd also recommend some Bilstein 5100 shocks that are valved specifically for the SD.
FWIW, I currently run 35/12.5s under a 4" lift and I can get them to rub off roading. If I had it to do over again and was going to stay with 35/12.5" tires I would have gotten muds and a 6" lift.
Hope this helps.
If you want to clear 35" tires I'd recommend 4" if you mainly drive on the street and lightly off road.
If you off road hard I'd recommend 6" of lift for 35/12.5 tires.....I also think that the 6" and 35/12.5 looks the best.
Or, if you want to stick with a leveling kit I would go with 33/12.5 tires
Either a 33/12.5 or 35/12.5 should be mounted on a 8-10" wide rim.......check with the tire manufacturer specifications. I prefer the looks of them on 10" wide wheels myself. 8" wheels will provide better clearance if you stick to a smaller lift though.
As far as leveling kits go I prefer a method that doesn't increase spring rate like a hanger and shackle lift or a mini spring pack.
Whatever route you go I'd also recommend some Bilstein 5100 shocks that are valved specifically for the SD.
FWIW, I currently run 35/12.5s under a 4" lift and I can get them to rub off roading. If I had it to do over again and was going to stay with 35/12.5" tires I would have gotten muds and a 6" lift.
Hope this helps.
Senior User
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 275
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From: Anderson, SC
Skyjacker leveling kit
FYI-
i'm running the pro-comp 2.5" on my 250. i replaced all 4 shocks and the steering stabilizer with pro-comp units while i was at it. running 305/70/16 on 16x10 rims. the shocks keep the rear end planted on rough(choppy) roads much better than the stock units. valving on the stock units suck, or at leat mine did. i am very pleased with the look, but everyone likes a different look. this setup also will not give you a noticable adverse effect on your stock gearing, and the ride height will still be ok for pulling goosenecks/5thwheels if you need to.
try to find as many pics of different setups as you can before you shell out that hard earned cash, then you'll know exactly what you want.
just my 2cts
i'm running the pro-comp 2.5" on my 250. i replaced all 4 shocks and the steering stabilizer with pro-comp units while i was at it. running 305/70/16 on 16x10 rims. the shocks keep the rear end planted on rough(choppy) roads much better than the stock units. valving on the stock units suck, or at leat mine did. i am very pleased with the look, but everyone likes a different look. this setup also will not give you a noticable adverse effect on your stock gearing, and the ride height will still be ok for pulling goosenecks/5thwheels if you need to.
try to find as many pics of different setups as you can before you shell out that hard earned cash, then you'll know exactly what you want.
just my 2cts
Senior User
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 146
Likes: 0
From: Nation Wide
Skyjacker leveling kit
i agree, with 35" tires just a leveling kit would be tight, I am running 285/70-16.5s now and I get a slight rub at full lock in either direction, the 2.5 would probably correct this.
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Junior User
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 72
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From: Canada
Skyjacker leveling kit
Currently I am running 285/75/16 8 ply tires. This winter I will run a set of 255/85/16 8 ply Kelly's. I want to get a set of 305/75/16 BFG AT. Think they will fit?
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Senior User
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 146
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From: Nation Wide
Skyjacker leveling kit
305s Will hit the steering stops fpr sure, my friend has an F-350 with a leveling kit and a diesel and he is running 305s and they hit on every sharp turn, The 2.5 in lift is the only way to get buy.
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Senior User
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 275
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From: Anderson, SC
Skyjacker leveling kit
Originally posted by SuperDuty King
I have one on my truck, 2001 gas 4x4 crew cab, It took about 2 wks for the front to settle down but now it rides with an ever so slight front up angle, however with the added weight of thr e diesel you should be fine, no adverse effects on ride.
I have one on my truck, 2001 gas 4x4 crew cab, It took about 2 wks for the front to settle down but now it rides with an ever so slight front up angle, however with the added weight of thr e diesel you should be fine, no adverse effects on ride.
I had the same problem after installing the leveling kit. The top line of the bed was actually perfectly level, but the design of the front end kind of gives an optical illusion from some angles making the front look too high. It also made the truck squat with a trailer, and I just couldn't stand the thought of my 3/4 ton truck sqatting with a small load!
Anayway, you can fix this easily with Ford parts. Go to the Powerstroke section, page 2 or 3. There is a topic called "Why is rear end higher?". The war I started between yavapai and myself should give you all the info you need.
Hope this helps!
Elder User
Joined: Feb 2000
Posts: 737
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From: LAKE FORK TEXAS
Skyjacker leveling kit
Hmmmmmm,, Well i have 305\70\16 pro Comp All Terrains on my SD,, No lift Kit, they are mounted on 9" Eagle alloys and I have been through some serious situations on the deer lease and cant make mine rub... I only have the 5.4 V-8, so maybe that helps with ride height on the front end? The guys at 4 wheel parts had told me that a 2" kit for mine would allow room for 35's, or the 315 equilivent, Surely they wouldnt LIE TO A BROTHER WOULD THEY? I have been planning for a 4" Kit and some 35's in 2004,, Surely with a 4" kit 35's wont rub will they?
Senior User
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 146
Likes: 0
From: Nation Wide
Skyjacker leveling kit
I guess I did not know what I was getting into here, From all the posts it would seem that all trucks are different? can that be?
I have 285s on stock modular wheels, crew cab, 4x4 with the 5.4 gas motor, I have a 2' leveling kit on the front and in full lock I get a slight rub, Mind now that this is something that does not keep me up at night, there has been no tire damare nor truck damage just a slight noise. I however do not belirve that I could run 305s on the stock wheels without adding to this problem, the wheel width may be a key part here? I dont know for sure.
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Junior User
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 72
Likes: 0
From: Canada
Skyjacker leveling kit
Ok. I read the other postings and I really confused. I often carry loads (2500+lbs) because it is a farm truck. the cattle trailer is a bumper hitch so the load is not over the axle. Normal loads go in the box. If I do a leveling kit do I need new blocks in the back? I do not want it to sit down in the rear when loaded. Do I just add springs to the front and back.
Jeff
Jeff
Senior User
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 137
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Skyjacker leveling kit
I had a 4" procomp lift with 315's and they never rubbed. Maybe if you were doing serious off roading they would, but mild off roading they dont. I agree i think the 6" lift with 35's look better. Right now i have a 8" superlift on my truck with the 315's still , and waiting for the 38's to arrive.
Senior User
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 146
Likes: 0
From: Nation Wide
Skyjacker leveling kit
Jeff,
Do the leveling kit, see how you feel about the looks, it will not hurt you. If at that time you want to move the back up 1 or 2 inches you can with the blocks, I think your truck with the diesel will be just right!