I 'm going to install a 1" Ready Lift front leveling kit (spacers). With such a minimal level, do I require an alignment (or anything else track bar, etc)?

(I don't want to go any higher of a level.)

 

I am doing a ready lift 1.5" spacer and they told me I will only need a alignment (Most likely will not need adjustment)

 

To make sure I'm clear. They told you you'll need an alignment but most likely no adjustment will be done? So a verification of sorts?

 

I just installed a ReadyLift 2.5" lift in my driveway and just had to recenter the steering wheel after the trackbar relocation bracket was installed. Centering your steering wheels is very easy and is 3 bolts and a pair of vice grips to complete. Youtube has videos all over for it.

I did not have to get an actual alignment, truck still tracks perfectly center.

 

You need to at least adjust the Tow In with any size lift

 

Toe-in is changed by the distance/length of the tie rod. With a straight axle this adjustment is not changed with any size lift or lower.....

 

You honestly probably won't need it, only thing you might need is more caster since it seems like some guys need more caster from the factory. I would get it checked, and make sure you go to a place that will give you the digital printout so you can see where your numbers are. If you have issues down the road you have a reference point for where those might be emanating from.

 

I only reply to this to try and give you some insight and help. I also am not a mechanic or a front end guy.

I honestly believe that some of these trucks are better than others in regard to Caster from the factory. Although per a Ford engineer friend of mine these trucks are not superstars in regard to Caster anyway. Some are much better than others.

I also believe it is due to the design of the overall front end and the solid axle setup along with certain factory options that are built in at the factory.

I would almost always get an alignment done even if I did the slightest thing to the front end because of the related cost of having it done compared to the cost of the vehicle and tires etc.

I had a 2016 f-350 that I spent a ton of money on doing a 2.5 Carli level and spared no expense on. Unfortunately my truck in stock configuration was not a good example of good Caster and it only worsened by lifting it. Caster cams are limited in how many degree's they come in and once you have reached the end you have to live with whatever you get. I was never able to get either side over 3 degrees.

In short I am suggesting you be careful to lift the truck what you are talking about doing in the event your on the lower end of Caster.

Sometimes the return is not worth the risk. That is why my current 2018 F-250 is staying stock.

Again. I am not trying to tell anyone what to do just sharing my real world experience with these trucks.

Every time I read a Death Wobble thread I always wonder if the trucks doing it have a lower degree of Caster even in there stock configuration?

Good luck with your truck!

 

Pretty easy fix there, just need an adjustable radius arm. Dial in as much caster as your heart desires.

 

Easy but $1400 (Carli Parts)

Just not worth it IMHO

Thats why my 2018 is staying stock

 

They are $899 (PMF, $1400 Carli arms arent even adjustable), and really the only way you can get big amounts of caster without dropping the radius arm. You can also spend $50 on radius arm drops, or $500 on static arms like the BDS that give you another 1.5deg over the 2.5 degrees you can get from cams. There's lots of ways to get the caster you need, I don't really think that's a reason to not lift if you want a leveled or higher truck. I totally get not wanting to mess with it, but not wanting to level because you can't get the caster you need from cams.....you gotta pay to play.

 

I agree with everything your saying.

I'm just over the whole pay to play thing with my trucks is probably what it boils down to for myself personally?

I spent a considerable amount of money on my 2016 between the lift (Full Carli) shocks (Fox) and the tire wheel combo (Methods with TOYO AT2's)

My stock 2018 rides and handles way better and is a reminder to me to leave well enough alone at this point.

I am convinced that for everything you do to a truck there is going to be a reaction that needs to be adressed.

And again, I agree with you 100%. I am just at a point in life I'm over messing with trucks (55 Years Old)

But I am convinced that if you have a lower Caster reading to begin with you are in for a much harder truck to get right moving forward in regard to a level or a lift.

 

I'm with you on all of that, I think most of the problems with lifting/leveling just comes from ignorance, and I don't mean that in a demeaning manner, just general unawareness of how the suspension works and what actually needs to be done to properly raise the riding height of the truck. It blows me a away how many guys buy a $70k truck and then chuck a $100 leveling kit in it and wonder why it rides like crap or they have steering issues. You actually went with a nice kit, but even then you were missing the caster aspect of it. Suspension is such a huge role in the ride, steering, responsiveness, capability of the truck, it makes no sense to me personally to skimp there. I guess if you don't understand the physics and geometry of the suspension then you are really at the mercy of your installer to steer you the right way. But a solid front axle is just about as simple as it gets lift-wise, there's really no reason to not spend an evening reading about it and understanding what you are doing to your truck before you go out and purchase something.

It sure does suck to have an issue though and not understand what you need to do to rectify it. I totally understand the want to just leave it be. Priorities change with age.

 

Well written and exactly what my feelings are along with the intent of my posting.

I guess my thoughts to the original poster would be to tread lightly over 1" of lift and make sure the benefit outweighs the potential negative for such a small increment over stock.