Tips on leveling front end?
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New User
Joined: Oct 2003
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Tips on leveling front end?
So fellas, I am looking for some tips on leveling the front end of my OJ mobile with the back end? Since I am a poor boy, I am looking at using some poly bushing or spacers that mount under the stock springs to add 2" of lift until big daddy can afford something better. Does anyone know of maybe some low priced springs I could use instead? Will I have to modify the front end in any way by just adding 2" springs or bushings? Also, I really hate using body mounts on a 4x4 but once again, I am broke and I will take what I can get until I can afford it. Has anyone installed just 2" blocks and if anyone has, how do they look and was any mods made to steering column, wiring, etc.? Thanks for your time on this issue. Your views and ideas are very much appreciated.
Elder User
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 881
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From: NJ ... the garbage state
there isnt really any such thing as a cheap way to lift the suspension two inches in my mind. I tried all the plow/leveling kits that are inexpensive, but no camber sleeves on the ball joints can correct for that much missalignment. You will end up needing to purchase drop down brackets, and by the time you spend that much, you might as well get the 2.5 or 4 inch full lift kit for a couple dollars more. I was in your situation with my old 84, wanted more lift but had no money. Ended up spending twice as much as a real lift kit on different parts and had only plow springs and drop brackets in the end. the cheapest way is the body lift i guess, but i agree with you in not liking that. another alternative is cutout flares. I am not sure if your trying to clear bigger tires or just go higher.
Post Fiend
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 6,328
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From: Iowa
I agree with Isky. The 1 1/2"- 2" leveling kits can cause alignment issues. The alignment cams provided will not quite get the job done. I used the Rancho kit. They stated the alignment problem in their catalog but I took a chance. Got the full 2 inches of lift but camber adjustment isn't going to happen on my 94. My guess is you could perhaps lift it 1 1/4" with springs alone and still align it. Coil spacers would have the same problems of a lift spring of the same height. Body lift is the only cheap lift and has a downside of it's own of course.
Senior User
Joined: Aug 2003
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You could possibly use the twist in spacers for your coils as long as you are'nt going to have the suspension severely articulated.(they can pop out when springs are'nt compressed) They would allow you to lift it in small increments and possibly still align it. I did this with mine to comphensate for the weight of my winch bumper, but I didnt raise it as much as you are talking about. They made mine ride a little stiffer untill I got the bumper on, so they propably would make yours a lot stiffer. They are at most parts stores and only run about 8$ a set. I dont think you could get any cheaper or easier to install.
Postmaster
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 2,703
Likes: 4
From: Harrisburg, NE
i read something once about putting washers under the ?spring cup? and get a tiny lift, but i think that doing that was meant to get both ends of the ttb at the same height.
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Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 1,568
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From: Swansea SC
LEVELING
I bought mine at jc whitney-- make sure u do an alignment i needed differnt degree camber bushings ---alignment is critical TR
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Freshman User
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 35
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From: Cape Cod, MA
air lift air bags
they go right in the front coils, and will level out the truck, no ailimnet issues, no poor handleing, very cheap upgrade.
the ride is a bit rougher, but there is less nose dive on braking, less roll in the corners,
i had mine for almost 3 years without any problems
they go right in the front coils, and will level out the truck, no ailimnet issues, no poor handleing, very cheap upgrade.
the ride is a bit rougher, but there is less nose dive on braking, less roll in the corners,
i had mine for almost 3 years without any problems
Post Fiend
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 6,328
Likes: 124
From: Iowa
Greystreak
You mentioned on another thread that your Tuff Country 4" lift came with some adjustable brackets which allowed you to dial in the camber perfectly. I didn't give it much thought as my Rancho leveling kit only lifted me a bit over 2 inches. Just enough to make it impossible to align my truck, and sure to smoke my new tires. Anyway, it looks like TC also offers these brackets for their 2 1/2 inch lift kit for $150. I would have probably been better off had I just bought a complete TC kit in the first place, but these brackets should save me from having to return my Bronco back to stock. Something I very much did not want to do after seeing it lifted a bit. I was stuck between a rock and a hard spot because a real 4 inch lift wouldn't likely be good for my frequent towing use. Thanks.
You mentioned on another thread that your Tuff Country 4" lift came with some adjustable brackets which allowed you to dial in the camber perfectly. I didn't give it much thought as my Rancho leveling kit only lifted me a bit over 2 inches. Just enough to make it impossible to align my truck, and sure to smoke my new tires. Anyway, it looks like TC also offers these brackets for their 2 1/2 inch lift kit for $150. I would have probably been better off had I just bought a complete TC kit in the first place, but these brackets should save me from having to return my Bronco back to stock. Something I very much did not want to do after seeing it lifted a bit. I was stuck between a rock and a hard spot because a real 4 inch lift wouldn't likely be good for my frequent towing use. Thanks.
Post Fiend
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 6,328
Likes: 124
From: Iowa
Muscletruck
If you get a true 2 inch lift from stock on a TTB, the chances of alignment nightmares occuring are very high. I carefully taped mine and did get a bit over 2" of lift. The manufacturers of the products will tell you this straight up if you ask them that problems are the norm. They should know what the typical result is. You could possibly get by with it if your truck was out the other direction on camber before you start. Especially if your lift ended up under 2 full inches. My camber was out the other way and I almost got by with it. But not quite.
If you get a true 2 inch lift from stock on a TTB, the chances of alignment nightmares occuring are very high. I carefully taped mine and did get a bit over 2" of lift. The manufacturers of the products will tell you this straight up if you ask them that problems are the norm. They should know what the typical result is. You could possibly get by with it if your truck was out the other direction on camber before you start. Especially if your lift ended up under 2 full inches. My camber was out the other way and I almost got by with it. But not quite.
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