Who has a leveling kit?
Senior User
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 310
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From: West Chester Pa.
I use my truck for work, So my boss gives me a co. gas card. That's also why I havn't lifted it, besides the money. I'm in and out of the bed some times 10 times a day. I'm fat and getting old. I don't want to have to climb any higher than I have to. There's a good chance I'll be getting a co. truck down the road. then i'd like a 4 or 6" lift. I got the BGF mud terrain. I think those big nobes add more drag. What do you think. I let 4wheelparts.com figure my backspace on the wheels. They stick out far for only 285s about 2". I wouldn't be surprized if that's reducing my mpg also. I picked 285s because I didn't think they would make such a big diff. If I was paying for my gas I would have had a cow. I use about $60-70+ twice a week in gas.
Super Moderator
Joined: Oct 2002
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From: MA
Your 285s stick out past the fenders 2"?? Mine do not even stick out at all (stock rims). You took quite the gas mileage hit.... It leaves me scratching my head. The swap you did was almost nonexistent (like 10% or less). I dont see how you could have taken it on the chin, mileage wise. Are you calculating these figures by what something on board tells you, or by hand?
Senior User
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 310
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From: West Chester Pa.
Originally Posted by WheelMA1
Your 285s stick out past the fenders 2"?? Mine do not even stick out at all (stock rims). You took quite the gas mileage hit.... It leaves me scratching my head. The swap you did was almost nonexistent (like 10% or less). I dont see how you could have taken it on the chin, mileage wise. Are you calculating these figures by what something on board tells you, or by hand?
Super Moderator
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 8,547
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From: MA
You are right... they are good looking (Specially on a blue oval 
) Oh, well I guess I didn't catch the 'mudders' notation earlier. Yeah, that can hurt the mileage, even if you don't change tire sizes. I upgraded to the A/Ts.
) Oh, well I guess I didn't catch the 'mudders' notation earlier. Yeah, that can hurt the mileage, even if you don't change tire sizes. I upgraded to the A/Ts.
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Senior User
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 398
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From: NOR CAL
My city mpg has already been hurt, cuz I have 31.9" tires with the stock 3.55. Its a 5 speed manual with the 4.2, don't knock it cuz I wipp on 4.6 autos. I will have probably 4.10 when I go up to the 33.4" tires with a part time locker.
Post Fiend
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 8,542
Likes: 5
From: Louisiana
I put a 2" Autospring leveling kit on my Dad's 04, and it was $80 shipped off of ebay, and $40 to aligne it. The install took 2 hours from start to finish, and that was only because I wanted to make sure everything went good, and I was taking my time. The first side took 1.5 hours, and the other was only 1/2 hour after I knew what I needed to do.
Here's some pics:
https://www.ford-trucks.com/user_gal...&albumid=26793
Here's some pics:
https://www.ford-trucks.com/user_gal...&albumid=26793
New User
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 22
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I've read all the posts in this thread and have a few of questions about the Auto Leveling kit (the Ebay one). There are two kits listed there's a 2" and 2 1/2" which one is the right one? I'd like to get this kit but I'm also planning on buying a travel trailer very soon, what will I have to do to keep the back end of my truck level while towing once I've raised the front? And the final question, is this mod something that should wait until my warranty is expired?? Any input is appreciated. Thanks.
Super Moderator
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 8,547
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From: MA
Well "right" is up to the installer 
. What is your truck? Regular Cab? Supercab? Supercrew? It seems many guys get different 'level' settings. Certainly if you take the rake out of your truck, and you tow or put a lot of weight in the bed, you will find yourself in a nose high situation. Thats the nature of the beast.... Depending on your budget, you could either add a leaf to your rear spring pack, or do something like an airbag setup, that is completey adjustable to the load (something I would LOVE to do some day!) The warranty issue is really a case by case/dealer by dealer thing. All depends on your relationship I think. I would have zero problems adding one, knowing my local dealer quite well.
. What is your truck? Regular Cab? Supercab? Supercrew? It seems many guys get different 'level' settings. Certainly if you take the rake out of your truck, and you tow or put a lot of weight in the bed, you will find yourself in a nose high situation. Thats the nature of the beast.... Depending on your budget, you could either add a leaf to your rear spring pack, or do something like an airbag setup, that is completey adjustable to the load (something I would LOVE to do some day!) The warranty issue is really a case by case/dealer by dealer thing. All depends on your relationship I think. I would have zero problems adding one, knowing my local dealer quite well.
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Senior User
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 398
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From: NOR CAL
I found the pro comp spacers ($172.00), and 4 es9000 pro comp shocks ($129.99) at 4wheelonline.com for about $310.00. Sounds good, but could be cheaper. I looked a 4wheelparts.com, which is generaly cheaper in prices, and could only find the daystars. Never heard anything about the daystars good or bad. Are there any other big online sites/stores that have spacers for the '04-'06 F150?
MMNC (SS)(Ret)
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 11,604
Likes: 149
From: SE Georgia
Daystar makes a really good product. I used them on my 4Runner and buddies use them on their trucks. For our trucks though, the AS is the best period. Best price, and way overbuilt in strength...and the directions on the install are about as easy to follow as you can make them
4wheelonline and 4wheelpart are pretty big sites. I really suggest you do the eBay one. They sell thousands of the things without issues. And Paypal keeps it legitimate and safe for the buyer.
pics in my gallery of my truck after the level installed. I would recommend the 2" kit. My 2.5" makes the truck sit dead level and has 0 rake. 1" add-a-leaf's in the near future for me.
4wheelonline and 4wheelpart are pretty big sites. I really suggest you do the eBay one. They sell thousands of the things without issues. And Paypal keeps it legitimate and safe for the buyer.
pics in my gallery of my truck after the level installed. I would recommend the 2" kit. My 2.5" makes the truck sit dead level and has 0 rake. 1" add-a-leaf's in the near future for me.
Post Fiend
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 8,542
Likes: 5
From: Louisiana
I'd make my choice of which size kit I'd get on how much you actually tow.
IF you want the 2.5", then you might want a add a leaf in the rear for when you tow so the noise doesn't go in the air.(like previously stated)
The 2" kit looks very close to level, but when you tow it wouldn't look as bad of a squat. If you don't tow alot, but often enough, then this one might be the better way to go.
IF you tow very often, but can't stand the rack, then they do make 1.5" leveling kits, and when loaded down, it won't look like it's squating half as bad as a 2.5" kit.
IF you want the 2.5", then you might want a add a leaf in the rear for when you tow so the noise doesn't go in the air.(like previously stated)
The 2" kit looks very close to level, but when you tow it wouldn't look as bad of a squat. If you don't tow alot, but often enough, then this one might be the better way to go.
IF you tow very often, but can't stand the rack, then they do make 1.5" leveling kits, and when loaded down, it won't look like it's squating half as bad as a 2.5" kit.
Post Fiend
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 8,542
Likes: 5
From: Louisiana
The stock shocks won't need to be replaced.
Also, about the daystars mentioned previously, If they're what I'm thinking of, you have to take apart the spring and shock set up to install it, (which would require a spring compressor), and it cost more, and would need to be installed professionaly unless you have a spring compressor laying around.
Also, about the daystars mentioned previously, If they're what I'm thinking of, you have to take apart the spring and shock set up to install it, (which would require a spring compressor), and it cost more, and would need to be installed professionaly unless you have a spring compressor laying around.
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Senior User
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 398
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From: NOR CAL
Well I don't tow at all, and I only haul a 373lb. race quad, so Im thinking the 2.5" is right for me. I think the daystars are a 2 piece spacer, and the Pro comp is just like the AS, one spacer on top of the coil.