Don't mean to beat a dead horse, but if price is no object what are some recommended lift kits out there? I'm really looking to just add a leveling kit or a 2" lift. I just don't want to throw money down a hole. I believe in getting what you pay for but there are soooooooo many kits available that I'm lost. I'm sure some of you out there who have found some very good quality kits. Also, just because it's a famous/popular brand doesn't always make it great. Please suggest..........Thanks for any help.

 

for what year truck? body style, towing demands?

 

Just put a Tuff country leveling kit on my 99 f-350. Its a 2.5' kit and came with a new track bar bracket. I really like it and didnt change the ride a whole bunch but you know its there. I think the 2001 and above need new track bars also they are sold extra

 

ive had a 8 in skyjacker for 2 yrs now on my 01 psd, no problems at all with it. only thing i dont like about it is it will jar your kidneys out. just my 2 cents

 

Donahoe Racing makes a 2" mini-spring pack, which does not effect the ride and lets you keep your stock shocks. I have heard these a good quality kits. I personally made my own mini spring pack lift for a lot less money.

 

Can you describe mini spring pack lift you made? I have a 97 4wd crewcab I would like to do the same to. Thanks Jeff

 

i have the donahoe 4.5" it's awsome.

 

Well you can either use pieces of flat steel, or old leaves cut down to smaller lengths. Simply drill a hole in the center of the mini leaves. And bolt them to the bottom of the of the oem spring pack. Thats it, besides the the mini leaves, you also need longer center pins and longer u-bolts. I have pics of the lift in my gallery.

 

I like the homemade lift you did, does stacking the leaf springs change the ride much?? Looks like you stacked 3 plates of equal length then progressed to longer lengths for stability. You must have a drill press to line up all the holes for the center pin to go thru. Where did you get longer thru bolts and u- brackets? And did you lift the back of the truck like you did the front? And sorry for the questions but how do you raise the truck high enough to slide the extra spacer leaves in? I've seen shackle reverse lifts, but this seems more stable of a lift, which could enable the truck to carry a heavy load also Thanks again, Jeff

 

What are the "center pins"? This looks like a pretty easy lift job.
How is the ride, harder?

 

The ride did not change much, if anything it got a little firmer, which I wanted. The ride change all depends on how long you make the leafs.

Jcab, you are correct I made the leafs progressively longer, which isn't really necessary, but since I was going with a higher lift I decided to do it. I also did it to firm up the ride a little. You don't need a drill press, just drill the holes in the center of each leaf seperately. If you notice the top leafs are actually heavy truck springs reversed to curve with the negative arch of the oem springs, this always the oem springs to bend like they were designed to. The rear of the truck is still stock. To do the lift you must raise the truck by the frame so there is enough room for the axle to drop fully. After supporting the truck by frame use a floor jack under the axle to raise and lower it. Loosen everything up drop the axle insert your mini leafs and bolt everything back up. It's a pretty easy job. This is a nice for lift for just drving around and moderate off-roading. If you plan on using a plow on the truck, I would suggest an add-a-leaf system to increase the front spring rating.

Steve, the center pins are the bolts in the center of springs which hold the individual leafs together. These and longer u-bolts could be bought at any spring shop. If you guys have any more questions feel free to email me.

 

You installed a track bar on your truck, but I have a 97 f250 would this need one installed with lift??

 

It depends on the lift size, I would think if you go over about 2.5" you would. I ran a 2" lift with no track bar adjustments.

 

F-250's dont have track bars, with your lift for that you would need drop brackets for the ttb, unless you did like me and put a dana 60 in it. Then a trac bar drop bracket is used

 

Excuse me for being unaware of your meanings of drop brackets (for what are they used)?? And what does ttb mean? And I'am not sure what a dana 60 is?? Please define your terms thanks Jeff