1 vs 2 vs 2 1/2" level
Thread Starter
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Mountain Pass
Joined: Apr 2017
Posts: 159
Likes: 13
1 vs 2 vs 2 1/2" level
Experiences with fuel consumption changes, steering, lane departure and electronic functions, and additional level hardware needed,( track bar, dropped pitman, track bar only bracket, etc) of the above three levels.... appreciate your experiences as I m trying to decide how much level while balancing effects and complications as truck is so very nice driving stock.
Reason for level is to ultimately put on 295-65-20s and give slightly better look: not so much rake. I don t tow heavy... usually 10,000 or less. F350 with snowplow springs. Thanks in advance for your input and experiences!!
Reason for level is to ultimately put on 295-65-20s and give slightly better look: not so much rake. I don t tow heavy... usually 10,000 or less. F350 with snowplow springs. Thanks in advance for your input and experiences!!
Posting Guru
Joined: Dec 2017
Posts: 1,441
Likes: 8
I'm going with the BDS 2", because it's a complete system.
The 1" would be fine for me (34"), but then I'd need an adjustable track bar and caster bushings still,to make it perfectly correct. Minus well just go with a 2" BDS kit.
2017 Ford F250 / F350 8"" lift kit 1541H | BDS Suspension
The 1" would be fine for me (34"), but then I'd need an adjustable track bar and caster bushings still,to make it perfectly correct. Minus well just go with a 2" BDS kit.
2017 Ford F250 / F350 8"" lift kit 1541H | BDS Suspension
Thread Starter
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Mountain Pass
Joined: Apr 2017
Posts: 159
Likes: 13
I keep eyeballing the BDS 2" also... with only 7500 miles on the truck though I really am not convinced to change shocks too. I do think the track bar bracket would be a good id a though. Probably need to talk with BDS.
Many vendors with 1 - 2 1/2" spacers but don't see many of them talk about track bar and keeping front end centered in vehicle. Seems a lot of folks might just want the slight lift but don't have the driving and axle centering concerns I have. Too nice ( and expensive) of a truck too screw up!!
thx
Many vendors with 1 - 2 1/2" spacers but don't see many of them talk about track bar and keeping front end centered in vehicle. Seems a lot of folks might just want the slight lift but don't have the driving and axle centering concerns I have. Too nice ( and expensive) of a truck too screw up!!
thx
Junior User
Joined: Sep 2017
Posts: 52
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From: Norco
I wanted a 2” because I didn’t want to roll the dice with a 2.5” and have the front of the truck sit any higher than level as some have experienced after their install.
I installed the BDS 2” leveling kit a few weeks ago with only a couple of thousand miles on the truck. I have not noticed a bit of difference with fuel consumption, collision avoidance, adaptive steering or lane departure warning. I decided to install the drop track bar bracket and Fox 2.0 shocks.
As for ditching the “Rancho” shocks the decision was hard because of the low mileage and them not being worn out. I can tell a bit of improvement with the Fox shocks.
I am really happy with how it turned out.
Mike
I installed the BDS 2” leveling kit a few weeks ago with only a couple of thousand miles on the truck. I have not noticed a bit of difference with fuel consumption, collision avoidance, adaptive steering or lane departure warning. I decided to install the drop track bar bracket and Fox 2.0 shocks.
As for ditching the “Rancho” shocks the decision was hard because of the low mileage and them not being worn out. I can tell a bit of improvement with the Fox shocks.
I am really happy with how it turned out.
Mike
Thread Starter
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Mountain Pass
Joined: Apr 2017
Posts: 159
Likes: 13
Mike, thanks much for the update and this really is what I was concerned with as I too have the crash avoidance, adaptive strg, lane departure options. Sounds like yours went great and fuel consumption and driving all unaffected!! Did your truck keep a slight amount of rake? Was your alignment after the kit pretty straight forward? Assuming camber adjustment washers, or whatever they re called, were used.
Frank
Also, did your radar for land departure have to be re-set? I ve had a couple shops tell me this is required... headlight projection ok with kit or did they have to be moved down?
Thx
Frank
Also, did your radar for land departure have to be re-set? I ve had a couple shops tell me this is required... headlight projection ok with kit or did they have to be moved down?
Thx
New User
Joined: Dec 2017
Posts: 7
Likes: 0
I wanted a 2” because I didn’t want to roll the dice with a 2.5” and have the front of the truck sit any higher than level as some have experienced after their install.
I installed the BDS 2” leveling kit a few weeks ago with only a couple of thousand miles on the truck. I have not noticed a bit of difference with fuel consumption, collision avoidance, adaptive steering or lane departure warning. I decided to install the drop track bar bracket and Fox 2.0 shocks.
As for ditching the “Rancho” shocks the decision was hard because of the low mileage and them not being worn out. I can tell a bit of improvement with the Fox shocks.
I am really happy with how it turned out.
Mike
I installed the BDS 2” leveling kit a few weeks ago with only a couple of thousand miles on the truck. I have not noticed a bit of difference with fuel consumption, collision avoidance, adaptive steering or lane departure warning. I decided to install the drop track bar bracket and Fox 2.0 shocks.
As for ditching the “Rancho” shocks the decision was hard because of the low mileage and them not being worn out. I can tell a bit of improvement with the Fox shocks.
I am really happy with how it turned out.
Mike
Nice looking truck, i'm on the fence to lift or level right now. What size tires are you running?
Junior User
Joined: Sep 2017
Posts: 52
Likes: 0
From: Norco
Mike, thanks much for the update and this really is what I was concerned with as I too have the crash avoidance, adaptive strg, lane departure options. Sounds like yours went great and fuel consumption and driving all unaffected!! Did your truck keep a slight amount of rake? Was your alignment after the kit pretty straight forward? Assuming camber adjustment washers, or whatever they re called, were used.
Frank
Also, did your radar for land departure have to be re-set? I ve had a couple shops tell me this is required... headlight projection ok with kit or did they have to be moved down?
Thx
Frank
Also, did your radar for land departure have to be re-set? I ve had a couple shops tell me this is required... headlight projection ok with kit or did they have to be moved down?
Thx
Level or slight amount of rake?....Well that's a tough one to answer. On what appears to be level ground, some time it looks level and some time it looks like is has a ever so slight forward rake. I am sure the background and other objects in the field of view may effect visual perception.
I did use the ball joint alignment bushings to increase the caster. I understand they bring the caster back to factory specifications. I have had the best intentions of getting it in for an alignment, and hopefully will, but I don’t notice any difference at all while driving. I’ll keep an eye on tire wear until I do.
I did not have my radar adjusted, again it appears unaffected. I also didn’t adjust my headlights. I don’t get anyone flashing me after dark so I don’t think it’s needed.
Mike
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Junior User
Joined: Sep 2017
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From: Norco
Thank you. Tires are the factory 275/70/18.
Mike
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Senior User
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Experiences with fuel consumption changes, steering, lane departure and electronic functions, and additional level hardware needed,( track bar, dropped pitman, track bar only bracket, etc) of the above three levels.... appreciate your experiences as I m trying to decide how much level while balancing effects and complications as truck is so very nice driving stock.
Reason for level is to ultimately put on 295-65-20s and give slightly better look: not so much rake. I don t tow heavy... usually 10,000 or less. F350 with snowplow springs. Thanks in advance for your input and experiences!!
Reason for level is to ultimately put on 295-65-20s and give slightly better look: not so much rake. I don t tow heavy... usually 10,000 or less. F350 with snowplow springs. Thanks in advance for your input and experiences!!
F-350 w/snow plow prep but gas or diesel? The gas plow prep sits taller.
Mountain Pass
Joined: Feb 2017
Posts: 227
Likes: 8
From: Miami, FL
Does ordering the truck with the Snow Plow Prep Package actually lift the front-end at all?
If this is the case, I'd prefer to have the "level" or closer to it from the factory and avoid all of the potential aftermarket problems.
Also if the Snow Plow Prep Package does lift the front-end, does the Heavy Service Front Suspension Package do the same thing? What is the difference between the two?
If this is the case, I'd prefer to have the "level" or closer to it from the factory and avoid all of the potential aftermarket problems.
Also if the Snow Plow Prep Package does lift the front-end, does the Heavy Service Front Suspension Package do the same thing? What is the difference between the two?
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 1,566
Likes: 537
From: DFW
2.5” ReadyLift
I wouldn’t go for the cheapest kit out there. There are kits under $100 all over the web. Anything over 2” needs the track-bar relocation bracket. I’m 100% happy with it. Ride height is not too high for family either.
