What else do I need?
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What else do I need?
I've been reading all the old threads on shackle/spring lifts.
I'm looking at either the Donahoe or Fabtech for my 04 350
sc short bed. What I can't get straight is what extra parts are
absolutes for this set-up. My truck sits about 2" lower in the front now, so if I go with a 4.5" lift do I add a 2" block to the
rear? I don't like the idea of multiple blocks under the springs
what are the size of the stock blocks on a f-350? they look to
me to be 3.5" Does lifting the rear require a different shim under the blocks? Also what about the adjustable track bar for the front are these a must? What about the drop down brackets are they needed? Seems like by the time your done these shackle lifts cost as much as the spring lifts. Last question are the fabtech shocks any good? or just throw in's to make up a package.
I'm looking at either the Donahoe or Fabtech for my 04 350
sc short bed. What I can't get straight is what extra parts are
absolutes for this set-up. My truck sits about 2" lower in the front now, so if I go with a 4.5" lift do I add a 2" block to the
rear? I don't like the idea of multiple blocks under the springs
what are the size of the stock blocks on a f-350? they look to
me to be 3.5" Does lifting the rear require a different shim under the blocks? Also what about the adjustable track bar for the front are these a must? What about the drop down brackets are they needed? Seems like by the time your done these shackle lifts cost as much as the spring lifts. Last question are the fabtech shocks any good? or just throw in's to make up a package.
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From: Back in the TX Coast
The DR kit comes with a 5" block for the rear. you need to have the drop down bracket in order to keep steering geometry correct. As for the adj trac bar it is not needed but it does make reinstall easier. I too have been looking at the DR4.5" and fabtech 5.5 but just haven't committed to either. As for the fabtech shocks like you said just complete the package from what i have heard.
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Thanks for the info Autobahn, I just found a 6" all spring system from pro-comp with mx6 shocks for $1189.24 online. I was not thinking that big, but.....36's on 10 or 12" wheels would be sweet. I'm not sure how the dot up here in NH would feel about it though. They seem to have relaxed a little. back a few years ago (8) they didn't like my 38 swampers and I had to drop down to 35's to stay out of their sights.
I bought that truck with the lift in it so I never had to mess with shims or anything. I would just like to get a complete soup to nuts lift and not have to monkey around with it. I just don't have that much free time and when I do I want to be out atving or wheeling.
I bought that truck with the lift in it so I never had to mess with shims or anything. I would just like to get a complete soup to nuts lift and not have to monkey around with it. I just don't have that much free time and when I do I want to be out atving or wheeling.
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From: Back in the TX Coast
Take a look at this link has many different post about lifts and brands...remember you get what you paid for. I have to often heard procomp refered to as procrap. JMO 
https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/s...d.php?t=419078
https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/s...d.php?t=419078
Postmaster
Joined: Jan 2005
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From: Phenix City, AL
Here is mine on a 6" lift with 36's on 10" wide wheels.
https://www.ford-trucks.com/user_gal...&albumid=16708
Should give you and idea of what it'll look like.
https://www.ford-trucks.com/user_gal...&albumid=16708
Should give you and idea of what it'll look like.
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That is just what I'm looking for BFR250 not too tall just right
very nice job. Where did you get your lift from? Did the shop that installed it have to do any tweaking on the drive angles or was everything you needed in the kit? Looks like you have
the same idea I do with the atv's......just a little cheaper to fix than the SD.
very nice job. Where did you get your lift from? Did the shop that installed it have to do any tweaking on the drive angles or was everything you needed in the kit? Looks like you have
the same idea I do with the atv's......just a little cheaper to fix than the SD.
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From: Phenix City, AL
I ordered the lift from jack-it.com. It's a Skyjacker and came with everything. Nothing else to order at all. The only thing I "might" do, and by no means do I "need" to, is get some extended stainless steel brake lines. I've flexed this thing out pretty much as far as it'll go and had no problems, but I like a little extra on the safe side.
Actually, the only thing I did change was the direction that the shims were facing in the rear. Instead of tapered to the front, I have them tapered to the rear.
The way they were, they were causing a worse vibration. They roated the pinion up, which seems like it would be correct; and it is at a stand still, but you have to keep in mind the axle wrap and it's tendency to tip even farther up under acceleration. I spun them in the opposite direction to put the rear u-joint more horizontal and it put the u-joint angles nearly perfect for when you are on the gas.
Actually, the only thing I did change was the direction that the shims were facing in the rear. Instead of tapered to the front, I have them tapered to the rear.
The way they were, they were causing a worse vibration. They roated the pinion up, which seems like it would be correct; and it is at a stand still, but you have to keep in mind the axle wrap and it's tendency to tip even farther up under acceleration. I spun them in the opposite direction to put the rear u-joint more horizontal and it put the u-joint angles nearly perfect for when you are on the gas.
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Great advice, thanks
I'm getting pricing and availabilty from my local dealer today.
I think I'm going to have to stick with 35's though because the lift laws say 30" max to the bottom of my bumpers.
maybe I can find some 13.50's or 14.50's I really like the look of a wide tire on these trucks.
I'm getting pricing and availabilty from my local dealer today.
I think I'm going to have to stick with 35's though because the lift laws say 30" max to the bottom of my bumpers.
maybe I can find some 13.50's or 14.50's I really like the look of a wide tire on these trucks.
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Don't know anything about the Pro Comp 6" lift and I've had good experience with the store in Indianapolis.....HOWEVER - I did have a Pro Comp 4" kit on my 04 PSD w/ 35" tires:
After 6 months added a 1" block" to the front end because tires were rubbing when I hit a hole or turend hard while braking.
Just replaced the entire system (a little over a year old) with a 6" Fab Tech system because the tires were rubbing again.
I suspect that the kit was not designed for the added weight of a PSD as opposed to a gas engine. The new Fab Tech kit has a lifetime warranty should this happen again and an added benefit I found is that the multiple, smaller leaf springs on the Fab Tech kit really smoothed out the ride (course I added dual shocks to the front when I switched kits so that could have helped the ride also). Hope this helps.
After 6 months added a 1" block" to the front end because tires were rubbing when I hit a hole or turend hard while braking.
Just replaced the entire system (a little over a year old) with a 6" Fab Tech system because the tires were rubbing again.
I suspect that the kit was not designed for the added weight of a PSD as opposed to a gas engine. The new Fab Tech kit has a lifetime warranty should this happen again and an added benefit I found is that the multiple, smaller leaf springs on the Fab Tech kit really smoothed out the ride (course I added dual shocks to the front when I switched kits so that could have helped the ride also). Hope this helps.
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I'm leaning towards the skyjacker 6" lift because I've been getting some less than favorable coments on the pro-comp stuff and the shop that I would have install the kit has done superlift and skyjacker in the past. The question that comes to mind after your experiance with a 4" lift is how much actual lift did you end up with on the 6" kit? My truck sits at 24" to the bottom of my bumper with 285/75/16's today, I'm wondering if a 6" lift and 3" taller tires = 71/2" extra height which puts me at 31 1/2" and just over our 30" bumper law.
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I can't tell you for sure what the actual lift was but I can tell you that with my 315-75R-16 BFG's on 10x16 Pro Comp wheels the height from the pavement to the lowest part on the receiver hitch (the actual receiver "square" that sticks right out the back, not the frame mounted portion) is 21". I am assuming you have the factory hitch installed here.
Logic dictates that you will have to have some "spring fatigue" with any lift kit over time and - as I indicated earlier - more in the front with that heavy PSD than in the back.
If you need another measurment, let me know.
Logic dictates that you will have to have some "spring fatigue" with any lift kit over time and - as I indicated earlier - more in the front with that heavy PSD than in the back.
If you need another measurment, let me know.
Tuned
Joined: Jun 2005
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Pro Comp
I have a Pro Crap 6.5 on mine I have it little over 1 year it sagging it at 5 inch of lift now, and the ride not that great even I am running Bilstien Shocks I am running 37-13.50-18 on 9-18 Hello Maxx 8 Wheels but they rub, Pro Comp saids they should clear, mabe if the springs didn't not sag.
I going to custom made springs next time but I need to finish the rest of truck as in get all the weight where it needs to be before I order the springs But as every one else money or the lack of it at the time mostly buying gas Ha HA.
Spring company needs the weight of the truck for each corner on the truck what type of weight you are planning to haul and what ride lift you want it will give you a better ride more like a half ton when empty at least what they say but with a more progresive type spring rate so you can carry a heavy load.
The Spring Company I been looking at is Atlas Springs, I heard some after market springs lose there shape when you haul weight on them I think that what happen to mine Pro Comp.
I would not go with Pro Comp again then once again I will not buy any thing else from 4 Wheel parts again either how much run around I had from them every order I purchased from them been wrong.
I going to custom made springs next time but I need to finish the rest of truck as in get all the weight where it needs to be before I order the springs But as every one else money or the lack of it at the time mostly buying gas Ha HA.
Spring company needs the weight of the truck for each corner on the truck what type of weight you are planning to haul and what ride lift you want it will give you a better ride more like a half ton when empty at least what they say but with a more progresive type spring rate so you can carry a heavy load.
The Spring Company I been looking at is Atlas Springs, I heard some after market springs lose there shape when you haul weight on them I think that what happen to mine Pro Comp.
I would not go with Pro Comp again then once again I will not buy any thing else from 4 Wheel parts again either how much run around I had from them every order I purchased from them been wrong.
Originally Posted by Autobahn F-250 Lariat
Take a look at this link has many different post about lifts and brands...remember you get what you paid for. I have to often heard procomp refered to as procrap. JMO
https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/s...d.php?t=419078
https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/s...d.php?t=419078
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Thanks for the replys, I just went to my local dealer today where I bought the truck and the owner said he would work with me if I put a lift in the truck and had warrantee issues, but...........If the issues are directly related to driveline angles or axles or hubs or wheels or differentials or transfer case or the big one transmission they won't be covered. So I asked what if they put the lift in? He told me the largest suspension modification they could do is a 11/2"-2" leveling kit which turns out to be the snow plow package with a add a leaf in the rear. I already have the X springs in the front so all they really could do was the rear add a leaf. Do any of you guy's know of any ford dealers in the Newhampshire or Mass. area that would install a lift?
otherwise I'm stock until I get out of warrantee, probably around may 2007.
otherwise I'm stock until I get out of warrantee, probably around may 2007.
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