Leveling kits
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Junior User
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 53
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From: Myerstown, PA
Leveling kits
Hey fellas. I need some help. I have a '88 F-150 4x4 reg. cab w/ 31"x10.5" tires. The front tires rub the radius arms when I crank the wheel. I was wondering if a leveling kit would prevent this. Also, my truck is a 4 spd manual, would a leveling kit affect the trans. I know I'd have to modify the shifter if I were to lift the truck, but would I have to do that with a leveling kit? What leveling kits would you guys recommend? How high would this lift the front of my truck?
I don't want to lift my truck, but I do think a leveling kit would make my truck look badass, and hopefully cure my tire rub issue. Thanks for any help fellas!
I don't want to lift my truck, but I do think a leveling kit would make my truck look badass, and hopefully cure my tire rub issue. Thanks for any help fellas!
FTE Legend
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 31,930
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From: Ottawa, Ontario
Do you have the 31's mounted on the factory wheels or aftermarket wheels? The rubbing problem is minimized with wheels that have the correct backspacing. Neither a leveling kit or lift kit will cure the tire rub at full lock, the radius arms are part of the suspension and follow wheel movements, so they will always be in the way.
Elder User
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 614
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From: Pensacola, FL
leveling kits typically are around 2". like conanski said, the only way to stop the tires from rubbing the radius arms is with a wheel with a shallower backspacing. you can buy wheel spacers to move the tires out some. or you can just adjust the steering stops so you keep the tires from turning so far. you will stop the rubbing but lose a little of your turning radius. i did that on my 78 after putting fenderwell exit headers and 36x12.50 swampers on it. my tires would hit the headers so i adjusted the stops. i didn't mind any loss in turning radius cause it was a reg cab short bed and didn't take much room to turn around anyway.
Thread Starter
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Junior User
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 53
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From: Myerstown, PA
Thanks guys. I sort fo figured it wouldn't solve my rubbing problem. I would still like to put a leveling kit on my truck. Any suggestions? I might just try the wheel spacers for the rubbing problem. It might just make the truck look better also, considering I have fender flares on my truck.
BTW- I do have 31's mounted on the factory wheels.
BTW- I do have 31's mounted on the factory wheels.
Senior User
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 259
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I put a set of Rancho coil springs and shocks on my 94 F150 4X4 and I am glad that I did. Now it rides level and softer. Also, the 31.5 10-50's were rubbing the end of the velence panel with stock wheels. Leveling it out fixed that problem. One thing though; If you do go with raising the front end up to level, the front tires will have quite a bit of positive camber in them, requiring you to change out the camber bushings. It takes a minimum of 1.5 degree bushings.
New User
Joined: Nov 2007
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hey 95 4x4 i was thinking about putting coil spacers on my 92 f150 but i was worried about it througing the camber out and the alinement. will this happen
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Mountain Pass
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 213
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From: Falls of Rough, KY
1 1/2" to 2" leveling coils cost about $130 for the pair. I have a set of Rough Country on my 94 F150 4x4 with factory quad front shocks. I have 33x12.5x17 Nitto Terra Grapplers on it, but had to space the front bumper out a little to clear.
cut, and paste this link for pics of my 4x4
94 4x4 - NLOC Gallery
cut, and paste this link for pics of my 4x4
94 4x4 - NLOC Gallery
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Senior User
Joined: Jan 2007
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Yes it will. But correcting it is as simple as replacing the upper ball joint concentric bushings. It is a little bit of a guessing game as to which one you will need unless you know how to measure it and correct it. Usually about 1.5 to 2 degrees negative will do it. Then the toe in will have to be adjusted. When I did my 94 F150 4X4 it took about one turn of toe out on each end.