I'm planning on putting some heavy duty springs in the front with new shocks (probably rancho), and either new leafs springs in the back or just helper leafs on top and new shocks in the rear. Anyone done anything along these lines? I figure eventually I will put bigger tires on to fill the space, any ideas how much lift I could expect total?

 

Ok here's another question anyway. I've never put shocks on a truck or new springs. Whats the best way to go about doing this? Is there anything else that needs to be replaced/moved if all I am doing is puttin new springs and larger shocks on?

 

Depends on how many leaf springs you add in the back I would say for one about an inch or so don't know about with heavier duty springs in the front. Why not just buy a lift kit.

 

I dont want to pay $2K for 3 inch of lift when I only want about 1.5"-2", just enough to clear 33's. I know I could fit them now, just want a little more room. And this way I dont have to pay anyone to do it. Does anyone know how bad my ride will suffer?

 

I thought the 4x4's had torsion bars up front, not springs?

 

Coil Springs?


Maybe I am missnaming them.

You would know more than me.

 

I think you are right, after looking around. So how do I lift front end then? Tightening up torsion bars only give you like an inch right? And doesnt it add a lot of stress to other parts?

 

Yea, that's what most 4x4 guys seem to do. Just tighten up the torsion bars and some bigger lift blocks on the back. Tighten up the torsion bars evenly and get it aligned afterwards.

 

From the posts I've read here and other places, tightening up the torsion bars may lead to premature cv failure. Who knows though, guess it all depends on how much you crank on em' and how much you offroad.

 

Fordman311, do you have your mind set on Rancho....if so which ones are you looking at, the rs5000's,rsx's,rs9000's, or another model. I have freinds with ranchos are i am far from impressed. I have bilstiens on mine and i love them. They are good and stiff but still arent tooth jaring. Obviously alot of people like ranchos, but unless it is primarily an offroad vehicle then i would sugest looking into something else in your price range.(how much are you looking at spending?) Have you looked at Monroe,Gabriel, or Bilstien let. Let me know.
John
P.S. have you had a chance to change your diff fluids yet?
99 f-150 ext. cab(83k)
rear steel buper..grilleguard w/4 KC lights
tool box..bed linner
dual exaust..K&N air intake...

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I have a 98 4x4 no lift but cranked torsion bars and fit 33's no problem. everybody always asks me if its lifted but it's really not

 

sbeII- aight man thanks for the info, I think I'll look into shocks some more, and no I havent got around to differential fluid yet planning on the begining of easter holiday which starts March 23rd, just dont have time until then.

byo71-How much lift do you think you got? How did it affect the handling, any significant increased wear on any parts or the tires?

 

probably about 2 inches in the front. I got enough lift to clear the 33's no prob and the whole truck looks level, if not a tiny bit higher in the front. Handling is a bit stiffer but it drives great on and off-road. The main thing I have noticed is the cv shafts are at more extreme angles, but haven't had a problem with them yet, and I use 4wd all the time. I really work the suspension off-road (more like really beat the suspension) and nothing seems to be wearing abnormally. I've been driving it like this for the past 2 years and have 127,000 miles with original suspension components (except for the steering knuckle I bent when I hit a rut that was like a foot deep at about 50mph. i thought i just knocked my suspension out of alignment, but it turned out to be bent knuckle. replaced the knuckle and had the alignment checked. it was still dead on!)

 

How much cranking would be necessary to clear the 33's? I was thinking about gettin 285/75R16's which is like 33.1" i think.

 

If you guys crank your torsion bars...a good rule of thumb I have always gone by, from a budy of mine that does performance upgrades, lift the front tires off ground first and then tighten all the way and lastly back them back out about 2 full turns. I dont think its a good idea to tighten completely. This will level your truck out, an add leaf spring in back will add about 1.5-2 inches in the rear. You could always just opt for a body lift that shouldnt cost anymore than about $200. I have a 3in body rasied the torsion bars and clear 35in mud terrains, on my '02 half ton FX4.