2005 Leveling Kits
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Joined: May 2005
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2005 Leveling Kits
<TABLE width="100%"><TBODY><TR><TD dir=ltr>When I was trying to decided on a leveling kit for my 2005 F250, I
didn't find a whole lot of info out there. So I'm posting a thread of
what I've learned. If you've got a different opinion, or have more
info, please add it!
CHOOSING A LEVELING KIT
There are two types of leveling kits for 2005+ SuperDuty Trucks. The
first type replaces the factory coil spring with a new taller coil
sprint (Donahoe Racing). The second type is a coil spring spacer that
lets you reuse the factory coil spring. There are several types of coil
spring spacers on the market. A welded style (Rough Country), a solid
metal style (Fabtech), and a polyurethane spacer (Daystar). Kits are
usually 2" or 2.5".
The goal for my truck was to find a leveling kit that would maintain the
factory ride quality (or improve upon it), was well made, and was
inexpensive. This immediately ruled out the Donahoe Racing kit. While
I have no doubt it is well made and would have a great ride quality, it
was pricey.
So now I knew I'd be getting a coil spring spacer. Poly spacers? This
idea made me a bit nervous. If the poly spacer deteriorated or began to
crack or split it cause some big issues. I know they've made great
improvements to polyurethan products of the last several years... and
I've never see this product in person... perhaps they have a steel core?
At any rate I couldn't find any people using this kit to give me more
info on it, so I ruled this one out for myself.
This left the welded steel spacers and the solid spacers. I didn't see
the logic in buying a welded steel spacer which could potenitally have
manufacturing problems (bad welds) when solid spacers are available and
were affordable. So I ended up going with a 2.5" solid metal spacer
from Fabtec.
Another thing to consider is if the kit you're looking at includes other
parts. For example the Fabtech kit case with all the brakets necessary
to lower the brake lines 2.5" as well.
ARE YOU GONNA NEED SHOCKS?
I had retailers as well as people on this Forum telling me that you
could run a 2.5" spacer and still use the factory shocks. I believed
them, and installed my leveling kit. Appearantly these guys haven't
actually looked to see how much travel is left in the stock shocks after
installing the kit.
I used a magic marker on the side of my shock to show how much travel the shock had. I used the hard factory shock boot as a reference and marked where the shock was fully compressed and fully extended. Those are the marks of the far left and far right. The mark between them was where the shock was when the truck was at rest (after the leveling kit was installed). As you can see there was only 1" of extension left in the shock. That simply isn't enough travel for the suspension to perform correctly.
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<TABLE cellSpacing=1 cellPadding=2 width="100%" border=0><TBODY><TR><TD></TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>
When driving with the stock shocks and the leveling kit I could feel the shocks fully extend (preventing the axle from dropping any further) everytime I went of a speed bump or hit a good dip/bump on the freeway. It was definately not acceptable. So... if you're doing a leveling kit, just count on replacing your front shocks also. You'll thank yourself.
I ended up going with a Rancho 9000 series shock built for an F250/350 with 2.5" lift. It was just the right length, and since they are adjustable my truck now has a better freeway ride than when I bought it.
Here's some photos of the Fabtech kit and what it looks like after the lift.
Hope this info was helpful.
didn't find a whole lot of info out there. So I'm posting a thread of
what I've learned. If you've got a different opinion, or have more
info, please add it!
CHOOSING A LEVELING KIT
There are two types of leveling kits for 2005+ SuperDuty Trucks. The
first type replaces the factory coil spring with a new taller coil
sprint (Donahoe Racing). The second type is a coil spring spacer that
lets you reuse the factory coil spring. There are several types of coil
spring spacers on the market. A welded style (Rough Country), a solid
metal style (Fabtech), and a polyurethane spacer (Daystar). Kits are
usually 2" or 2.5".
The goal for my truck was to find a leveling kit that would maintain the
factory ride quality (or improve upon it), was well made, and was
inexpensive. This immediately ruled out the Donahoe Racing kit. While
I have no doubt it is well made and would have a great ride quality, it
was pricey.
So now I knew I'd be getting a coil spring spacer. Poly spacers? This
idea made me a bit nervous. If the poly spacer deteriorated or began to
crack or split it cause some big issues. I know they've made great
improvements to polyurethan products of the last several years... and
I've never see this product in person... perhaps they have a steel core?
At any rate I couldn't find any people using this kit to give me more
info on it, so I ruled this one out for myself.
This left the welded steel spacers and the solid spacers. I didn't see
the logic in buying a welded steel spacer which could potenitally have
manufacturing problems (bad welds) when solid spacers are available and
were affordable. So I ended up going with a 2.5" solid metal spacer
from Fabtec.
Another thing to consider is if the kit you're looking at includes other
parts. For example the Fabtech kit case with all the brakets necessary
to lower the brake lines 2.5" as well.
ARE YOU GONNA NEED SHOCKS?
I had retailers as well as people on this Forum telling me that you
could run a 2.5" spacer and still use the factory shocks. I believed
them, and installed my leveling kit. Appearantly these guys haven't
actually looked to see how much travel is left in the stock shocks after
installing the kit.
I used a magic marker on the side of my shock to show how much travel the shock had. I used the hard factory shock boot as a reference and marked where the shock was fully compressed and fully extended. Those are the marks of the far left and far right. The mark between them was where the shock was when the truck was at rest (after the leveling kit was installed). As you can see there was only 1" of extension left in the shock. That simply isn't enough travel for the suspension to perform correctly.
</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>
<TABLE cellSpacing=1 cellPadding=2 width="100%" border=0><TBODY><TR><TD></TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>
When driving with the stock shocks and the leveling kit I could feel the shocks fully extend (preventing the axle from dropping any further) everytime I went of a speed bump or hit a good dip/bump on the freeway. It was definately not acceptable. So... if you're doing a leveling kit, just count on replacing your front shocks also. You'll thank yourself.
I ended up going with a Rancho 9000 series shock built for an F250/350 with 2.5" lift. It was just the right length, and since they are adjustable my truck now has a better freeway ride than when I bought it.
Here's some photos of the Fabtech kit and what it looks like after the lift.
Hope this info was helpful.
Junior User
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 61
Likes: 1
Thanks swilson...I went with the Donahoe kit, which came with new coils, alingment cams, and 4 new DR signiture series shocks. While it was kinda pricey, I feel it was well worth the price. I spent $46,000 on the truck, another $700 to do it right (in my opinion) made sence. Ended up with a better ride than factory for sure. Thanks to the DR guys! Your truck looks great!
Senior User
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 107
Likes: 0
From: Lake Placid, FL
Nice post swilson! I have a 06 PSD 6.0L. I went with the same Fabtech leveling kit and also took out the 2" spacer in the rear and put in a ~3.5" spacer. I do not like the bulldog type look. Made the front end about 1/3" higher than the back when all said and done. Helps the squatting in the rear when towing or carrying large loads.
I was wondering if I should put a larger series shock in the rear and noone could really answer so I am trying the standard Rancho FX4 shock that comes on the truck. It rides very well and seems to be some travel left in the shock .. so far I am happy with it.
I was wondering if I should put a larger series shock in the rear and noone could really answer so I am trying the standard Rancho FX4 shock that comes on the truck. It rides very well and seems to be some travel left in the shock .. so far I am happy with it.
Senior User
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 261
Likes: 0
Another one to consider, which I plan to purchase, is the BDS kit. It comes in either 1 or 2 inch spacers that go beneath the coil like the pix above. The 2" comes with the alignment cams and is available with or with out shocks.
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Tuned
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 278
Likes: 1
From: Vancouver
Swilson....excellent post! I want to do the same to mine but was concerned about the same things as you. One thing that you did not touch on was whether you required an alignment? Were alignment cams required?
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Originally Posted by OverHeight
Swilson....excellent post! I want to do the same to mine but was concerned about the same things as you. One thing that you did not touch on was whether you required an alignment? Were alignment cams required?
Alignments are more crucial with lifts where you've modified or replaced suspension components that locate the axle. (ie control arms, panhard rod) With the leveling kit, not only are you reusing all of your factory control arms, but you never even disconnect them during the leveling kit installation. You've left all the key suspension components alone... the spacer is just making the truck sit higher. If you have to be absolutely sure, go get your truck aligned. For me... I'm satisfied without. YMMV.
Moderator
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 164,379
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From: MA
Alternative method
I will soon be ordering an 06 and have been thinking ahead to when I need to level the truck.. Great info, but I have another idea I have been contemplating..
I will be putting a plow on mine and want to make sure the front doesn't get to low with it on.. I was thinking wouldn't an air bag system be an easy alternative?? It would lift the truck a little.. I am not looking for a 2" or more lift.
When I need to lift my 99 SD I just had a leaf added, with no problems..
Coils make it so much more difficult...
I will be putting a plow on mine and want to make sure the front doesn't get to low with it on.. I was thinking wouldn't an air bag system be an easy alternative?? It would lift the truck a little.. I am not looking for a 2" or more lift.
When I need to lift my 99 SD I just had a leaf added, with no problems..
Coils make it so much more difficult...
