Snow plow prep or leveling kit?
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Cross-Country
Joined: Feb 2015
Posts: 75
Likes: 8
Snow plow prep or leveling kit?
I have a 2022 6.7 on order with the snow plow prep/camper package and the only reason is for the little extra ride height. But I think I got a little too excited and didn't even consider a leveling kit instead. My biggest concern between the two is ride quality. Will a good aftermarket leveling kit (1.5-2") be a better option than the factory snow plow prep? My only experience is with ifs front end trucks in the past and leveling kits I've used before created a stiffer ride and noticeable bump steer. No matter which way I go, I plan to run bilstein shocks anyways.
Also, another silly question, would the truck need a new alignment after a leveling kit? Or not since it's solid axle?
Also, another silly question, would the truck need a new alignment after a leveling kit? Or not since it's solid axle?
More Turbo
Joined: Jun 2016
Posts: 739
Likes: 110
From: South Florida
Never driven a snow plow prep truck so I cannot comment on the ride. I have the standard 5200 coil springs and can tell you they feel a little soft and mushy for my tastes. I’ll be ordering the heavy service 5600 coils in the next couple weeks.
If your truck is a snow plow prep you will already sit an inch higher. I probably wouldn’t go more than a 1 inch spacer on top of that without a track bar relocation bracket.
My truck is 1.5” taller than stock on my 5200 springs and my axle is offset to the driver side 1/4” - 3/8”. It’s barely noticeable if you look real hard at it. The .5” I’ll gain from my spring swap will probably be as far as I can take it without the track bar relocation.
If your truck is a snow plow prep you will already sit an inch higher. I probably wouldn’t go more than a 1 inch spacer on top of that without a track bar relocation bracket.
My truck is 1.5” taller than stock on my 5200 springs and my axle is offset to the driver side 1/4” - 3/8”. It’s barely noticeable if you look real hard at it. The .5” I’ll gain from my spring swap will probably be as far as I can take it without the track bar relocation.
Lead Driver
Joined: Dec 2020
Posts: 8,639
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Small IFS lifts whether it be from spacer, lift spring, or coil over, often times get their lift by preloading the suspension. That makes for a stiffer ride. On the solid axle truck you aren't preloading the suspension in the same way, and therefore not necessarily creating a stiffer ride with a small lift. If replacement coils are used obviously the ride will change and depend on which springs are used.
I can't speak to the snow plow springs but from reading on here most seem to have no issue with the ride. There are exceptions to that. Like Rob, on my diesel SD the non snow plow 5200 springs feel a little under sprung.
I can't speak to the snow plow springs but from reading on here most seem to have no issue with the ride. There are exceptions to that. Like Rob, on my diesel SD the non snow plow 5200 springs feel a little under sprung.
Tuned
Joined: Mar 2021
Posts: 332
Likes: 126
From: Northern Colorado, USA
+1 for snow plow/heavy service front springs instead of leveling. Just the right amount of rake, looks great unloaded, and avoids the sag with some weight on the rear.
I drove a truck with and without the heavy front springs. It's slightly noticeable but not really that different.
I drove a truck with and without the heavy front springs. It's slightly noticeable but not really that different.
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Plow prep, 2" level and Fox up front. Rode fine before the Fox change, noticeable difference with them.
Hotshot
Joined: Mar 2017
Posts: 10,161
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From: Chaz
I would run what you have first. You can stuff some pretty big tires under there with room to spare.
As mentioned you will want to jump up an inch over snowplow and run a drop bracket for your track bar and caster shims if you go higher and that cut off is 2 inches over base. Get 0-2” lift rated shocks.
As mentioned you will want to jump up an inch over snowplow and run a drop bracket for your track bar and caster shims if you go higher and that cut off is 2 inches over base. Get 0-2” lift rated shocks.
