Hi,
I recently got my 96 F-150, 4X2, Floor Shift and want to lift the front end 2-3 inches so the truck looks more level (at a low cost). I was wondering if adding "coil spacers" to get this much lift would have any bad effects on the front end parts like the shocks, tires, etc. I know the front end will stiffin quite a bit, but that is OK with me as long as there are no other negatives. Thanks, JS in San Angelo

 

I wouldn't recommend coil spacers personally, they have a bad rep of spitting out, especially at really inconvenient times like corners/curves.

You could maybe go junkyard hunting for some 4X4 coils and see if they are any longer, I'm pretty sure the 4X4 trucks sat higher. Also see if there is one with a 351, it was a heavier motor and may have had stronger springs, which will hold the front of the truck up even more.

you would need an alignment either way, and as for shocks all you'd have to do is run shocks intended for a 4X4.

Leveling coils are also inexpensive (less than 100 bucks in most cases).

 

Thanks,
I like the idea of the lift springs. I'll look into the difficulty of replacing them and the tools needed before I decide. JS

 

I have been wanting to do the same thing to my 91 4x4. I asked around here and they suggested finding 3/4 or 1 ton springs for mine. I would think 4x4 springs would work for yours.
I'm calling the salvage yard monday. Good luck.

 

The 4x4 springs won't be any different. The 3/4 or 1 ton springs can work, but are way too stiff. What makes the 4x4 F150 sit higher is the spring pedistal is longer was told. I am not sure about this though. From what I have seen it looks like the spring/shock saddle/tower is shorter on a 4x4. I do know the springs won't work, because I tried it.

I have Superlift 2 inch coils on mine. Many companies offer them. Tuff Country/Rough Country (I think it changed names) is less expensive. These companies might have them Rancho, Fabtech, Superlift, Rough Country, Tuff Country, Pro Comp, Genuine Suspension, SkyJacker, SuperSpring etc. You could also look in JCWhitney and see if they have a house brand leveling coil. I got mine from 4wheelparts. You could also look at SummitRacing. Don't forget to get an alignment or you'll ruin your tires.

The difficulty level is about a 2-3 out of 10. You do not need a spring compressor. You will need a deep wheel socket that is about 1 1/4 inch I think. Its not hard to change the springs. All you do is unbolt the bottom of the shock, and lower the spring down. Then once the tension is off of the spring, you unbolt the lower spring retaining nut and the small retaining bolt on the top.

 

Thanks, I'm more encouraged to install the coils myself now. By the way, did you have to replace the original shocks with longer ones? Thanks again, JS

 

I have new Rancho shocks on it now, but I just use the ones listed for my truck. I didn't get them with added length for a lift. The ones I looked at that were for added lift were way too long. I don't think you need different shocks with this small of a lift. I would only say you need new shocks if you install an actual lift kit 4" or 6" on up.

 

You're getting some interesting information.
I just converted my F150 88 2wd to a 4x4 using parts from a 89 F150.

The 4x4 coils springs are about 2 inches taller. I didn't measure them but I looked at them side by side and the truck front wheel well does look like it sits about 2 inches higher.

As far as I know the shocks for the front are the same for a 2x4 as a 4x4. The 4x4 did have a quad shock option and that extra shock of course is different but the standard shock is the same. Go to any auto part web-site such as http://www.autozone.com or http://partsamerica.com and look up the front shocks for a 2wd F150 and a 4x4 F150 and you'll see they are the same.

You don't need a coil spring compressor to change the springs. You'll need to get the frame as high as you can get, and have a low profile jack under the Ibeam. You remove the wheel, undo the shock, remove the brake caliper and tie it to the frame to get it out of the way.

Lower the jack under the I beam as far as it will go. Undo the retainer bolt/top bracket holding the coil spring. Then undo the nut holding the bottom spring retainer. The bolt has a really long stud. On my 88 a standard deep 1 1/8 socket won't be deep enough. I used a 2 foot cresent wrench to get the nut off far enough to use a socket on it.

Remove the spring and install the new spring. Reinstall the bottom nut and torque to around 100 ft. Lbs. With the jack under the Ibeam, jack the spring back into position and reinstall the top retainer and torque the bolt to around 15 lbs.

I'd spend the money and get new springs.

 

Thats odd. I put springs off of a 95 4x4 off road package on my 95 and it did not change the height at all. The springs are the same height side by side. That's why I went with the Superlift springs.

 

It looks like model year 80-91 trucks used similar suspension parts and 92-96 used similar suspension parts.

Here's a link from one of the sponsors on this site showing the springs for a 92-96. It shows 2wd springs should be different from a 4 wheel drive. It says you should order by spring code so I have no idea if that is going to change the spring height.

I wish the Ford web-sites would give you actual part numbers.

http://www.trademotion.com/partlocat...95&catalogid=1

The prices are kind of high so if it were me, I'd go after market like you did. If the poster buys OEM, to be on the safe side, he needs to measure his spring height so he doesn't end up buying springs the same height as his originals.

 

you could just get front springs from a 3/4 ton. you wouldn't need to get it from a 4x4. i have a 92 2wd f250 that looks lifted next to an f150 and mine is stock. if i am wrong, correct me please but i am pretty sure they upgraded the springs for the 3/4 ton and up.
chris

 

i had installed a set of 3/4 2wd springs in my 81. picked it right up.i was told not to use the spacers even the ones that bolt in under the springs. makes the truck almost imposible to align.

 

We have Rough Country progressive rate leveling coils on my dad's '93 4X4, but after about 20,000 miles the top coils were sitting on each other. Now the front height on his is about the same as my '95 351/SC 4X4, and I have stock springs that haven't sagged much if any...

Something else to look into is the fact that some trucks also came with dual shocks up front with towing packages, they may have diff. springs too (I have no proof, only speculating off the fact that mine is the only one out of 3 in the family that never sagged the springs, and also the only dual-shock setup, and the only 351 truck, the other 2 are 302's.).

 

The 4x4 springs I tried came off of a 95 F150 4x4 off road with tow package and quad front shocks. Those springs were not any taller than mine. After putting them on there was not any obvious difference in height or stiffness. As for the 3/4 ton 2wd front springs, my friend tried that and it was way too stiff. That is partly due to the fact that they are designed to hold up a powerstroke though. I didn't like them. My superlift coils were purchased in 99 for about 125 bucks. They have not sagged that I am aware of.

 

i have a 2wd 3/4 ton holding up a straight 6. but then again, i love a stiff ride...infact, i upgraded the shocks all the way around...
chris