Hey all, I'm a newbie, no doubt about it. I just purchased a 2002 F250 SC V-10 and love it. I was said to see my mitsubishi GSX and Jeep Cherokee (lifted) go, but it was time to grow up (some) and do the responsible(sort of) thing for the family. I'm curious about all this leveling talk. I have not noticed mine being raked really. Since I bought it used maybe someone already leveled it? What's the best way (besides the naked eye) to tell? Is the rake really as severe as everyone makes it out to be or is it not a big deal really? I know the new F-150's look stupid imo with how high the rear is compared to the front, but I don't notice anything nearly that extreme on my F-250. (To be honest I didn't notice any rake at all but after reading this forum I can't wait to get out of work and go check). Thanks for the patience with a newbie and hopefully I don't get flamed too much for this. On the Mitsu website I used to be a member of it was a very brutal community. So far the posts I've read on here have not been like that and that's encouraging to say the least. Thanks again. -J

 

One of the facts of life is this...there isn't much difference between an F-250 and an F-350.

For some reason, the 350 has a bit of a nose down attitude, while the 250 is pretty much level. In short, there is no need to level a 250.

Most places sell a leveling kit for the 350, which has a shorter block in the back between the axle and springs, than the shackles in front. Make sense?

If you are putting a lift kit on your truck, and you are going to do something like...say put a super heavy front bumper on your 250, then perhaps you would want to use a leveling kit.

I put a Ranchhand bumper with 12000 pound winch on the front of my 350, then put a leveling kit on the truck, and guess what. My truck still leans, except when I have it loaded.

The best thing to do is find a truck place that you can trust, and ask them what fits your truck, your wants, and your budget, but if you are lifting your truck and not adding anything that needs a forklift to put it on the front, then a normal suspension lift will meet your needs.

I used a Fabteck 3.5 leveling kit, which gave me the same ride as before the lift, because it uses the stock suspension springs. "Add a leaf" kits will make your ride stiffer. Also keep in mind, that lifting your truck changes your center of gravity, which makes the truck easier to roll, so you will have to adapt your driving style to the match the lift on your truck.

Hope this helps.

 

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If you like it keep it. If not raise it. Iv'e seen a few sweeet looking 250's with a leveling kit and 350 blocks in the rear. Cheap and looks awsome kinda like....350 .

 

Molotov,

I just ordered a 350 from polar and am thinking of adding the ranchhand bumper with 9500 Warn winch to the front end. Do you have a picture you could put in your gallery? I too want to level the truck with the stock springs.

Thanks

 

I would have to disagree with this statement. I have an '01 F250 CC SB V10 4X4 and before I installed my Rancho leveling kit it had a quite noticeable sag in the front. You don't realize how far the nose is down until you install the leveling kit then stand back and look at it.

V10Guy,
Welcome! If your truck has been leveled in the front, one of three things has been done. One, look for lengthened (aftermarket) mounting shackles for the springs; two, look to see if the spring packs themselves have anymore than two leafs; or three, if lift blocks have been placed between the spring pack and axle. If you discover any of these things it's been leveled. The nosed down stance is not as noticeable in the SC as it is in the CC due to the shorter wheelbase.

 

I work tomorrow, and I don't know what I did with my camera...I am sure it is setting next to my check book. Sunday when I get off, or if I can find the camera at the station, I will take some pics and post them.

 

I have a 3.5 inch pro-comp or fab-tech(can't remember) leveling kit and love it. The 350's have taller rear blocks (4 inch vs 2 inch) and the leveling kit is designed to level the pickup out with the taller 4 inch blocks. My advice is look around, I wanted a leveling kit at first, did it, started looking at 4 inch lifts, wasn't worth it and now I want a 6-inch. If I was going to do it again I would do a 6 inch for sure, nothing else. EVEN THOUGH I don't go a day without getting compliments on my regular cab with a leveling kit and 305's on 16x10's.

 

I decided to not get to fancy. My wife is 5'1" and with my steps, the truck is just the right height.

 

The rake from the factory looks great. No need to level and truck, you might want to raise it the same front and rear!! Every leveled truck I've ever seen looks like it squats in the rear. and if you put 1,000#s it does squat bad!!

 

Man, I don't know what you guys have against leveled trucks or the thought that it doesn't need done, it comes down to personal preference. Myself, I like the look of a leveled truck, that's why I leveled mine. It also helped with clearance for the 305's I put on it. Check it out!



In this picture it still looks a little nose down but it's not. On a level parking lot it sets just as level as can be. I didn't realize how low the front of my truck sat until I installed the Rancho leveling kit.

 

I've got a 1.5 Add-a- leaf going on the front so my 305s will clear but I will also put a 2" add-a-leaf to the rear. I use my truck for just that, a truck. 25% of the time there is something in the bed. I don't want it sliding out or looking like 5 80# bags of cement makes it squat!! But even if all I did was ride around and never haul anything I still would not put a "leveling" unleveling Kit on my truck!

 

Yea, I have to agree. I am a fan of the slightly raked look of the 350's. I HATE the idea of my truck riding nose high if I put basically anything in the rear...especially towing a trailer. I have been blinded by too many trucks towing trailers with their headlights pointed at the moon.

oh well...just preference I suppose.

 

Thank you all for your input. I went out and took a good long look at the truck in an level, open, parking lot and can't notice enough rake to be concerned about, if any at all. I appreciate you input and look forward to learning more. -J