Who has a leveling kit?
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Senior User
Joined: Mar 2006
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From: NOR CAL
Who has a leveling kit?
Anyone have a 2" or 2 1/2" level kit on their truck with pics or infor? What do you think of it so far, and if you have had any problems? How much did the whole thing cost all together including the labor or alignment too?
Cargo Master
Joined: Feb 2007
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From: ME
I paid $86 shipped for my 2" Auto Spring leveling kit and $40 for an alignment.I installed it myself.I'm too cheap to pay anyone else for labor.Getting rid of the factory rake is one of the best (cheap) appearance mods you can do to an 04-07 F150.
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Joined: Aug 2006
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Yeah, getting rid of the rake is the best thing to do for the looks of these trucks. I paid around 100 bucks, but I had them powder coat my autospring 2.5 before they shipped it to me. I think that was 15 bucks extra. I installed it myself and my buddy gave me a free alignment, I think they charge 60 bucks for customers. I really like the kit I installed and highly recommend if your getting one get the autospring. The kit has been trouble free for me, and I just had my truck realigned when I got my new tires and checked everything, ball joints, tie rod ends, and struts. everything checks out great! I couldn't be happier
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There are several threads on this, so lots of good info already out there.
Me, I went with the auto spring leveling kit - "the AS kit" - off ebay for $90. The kit seemed to be built OK, overbuilt if anything. My only slight question was that it looked like they used grade 5 bolts for the studs - which is fine. But it looked like they used plain old Grade 2 nylon locking nuts. The grade 2 is still probably plenty strong, but a grade 2 nut on a grade 5 bolt is still only as strong as the grade 2 nut.
So, once I get the kit on, it looks pretty good. Maybe just an optical illusion but it almost seemed like the nose was a bit higher. Hauling even 2-300 pounds definitely puts the nose up in the air and makes it look like the back end is dragging the ground. Plus, I miss the truck having a little bit of rake. So what is a guy to do? Well, of course I had to go out and get a set of BDS helper springs to put a little lift back in the rear! Now I think we're finally set!
Me, I went with the auto spring leveling kit - "the AS kit" - off ebay for $90. The kit seemed to be built OK, overbuilt if anything. My only slight question was that it looked like they used grade 5 bolts for the studs - which is fine. But it looked like they used plain old Grade 2 nylon locking nuts. The grade 2 is still probably plenty strong, but a grade 2 nut on a grade 5 bolt is still only as strong as the grade 2 nut.
So, once I get the kit on, it looks pretty good. Maybe just an optical illusion but it almost seemed like the nose was a bit higher. Hauling even 2-300 pounds definitely puts the nose up in the air and makes it look like the back end is dragging the ground. Plus, I miss the truck having a little bit of rake. So what is a guy to do? Well, of course I had to go out and get a set of BDS helper springs to put a little lift back in the rear! Now I think we're finally set!
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Joined: Apr 2007
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From: Raleigh, NC
I must be getting old! Back when I was a teenager everyone wanted to RAISE the back end of their vehicle.....now they want to lower it! I use my truck to haul and tow. Doesn't leveling decrease it's ability to do both?
Senior User
Joined: Nov 2006
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From: West Chester Pa.
I got mine from 4wheelparts.com It's called a 2" leveling kit, but it only measured a little over 1". It's just a chunk of aluminum shaped like a doughnut with a raised edge. I have lots of tools, ladder, shovels, etc. probably about 5 to 700 lbs. all the time. It sits nice. The full 2"- 2 1/2" might have been to much. As far as hauling and towing. The rear springs handle most of that. Raising the front at most effects MPG and handling. 
Super Moderator
Joined: Oct 2002
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From: MA
You are seeing a handling/ride difference because the principle behind the kit you bought, and the Autospring, is rather large. The spacer you bought installs on TOP of the spring, thus adding load to it before its even in use. With almost all modern springs, they are progressively wound. The higher the load, the stiffer the ride.
With the Autospring kit, their spacer install over the top of the entire spring assembly, so the factory progressive rate is untouched. The ride will not change, you will just adjust the ride height.
With the Autospring kit, their spacer install over the top of the entire spring assembly, so the factory progressive rate is untouched. The ride will not change, you will just adjust the ride height.
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From: NOR CAL
I like the pro comp spacer myself. I would go for the autospring but I don't trust Ebay and would rather go into a 4wheel parts store and buy them in person. I thing they are about $170.00. Pricey for spacers, I know, but they will match my pro comp shocks.
Do you get worse mpg with the lifted fronts now, because of the added drag?
Do you get worse mpg with the lifted fronts now, because of the added drag?
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From: MA
Well the person on ebay who is selling it works for Autospring. That is their largest distribution area. I honestly could not even tell you if they have branced out into more typical distribution networks (like 4 Wheel Parts). I don't think the slight rake change is going to effect much... typically when you add the big tires it goes down. A lot of guys do both at the same time.
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From: West Chester Pa.
My 285 tires dropped me from 16 mpg to 12 1/2 mpg. I didn't notice any diff. from the leveling kit in mpg. I have 12 1/2 X 33 on my 91 F-250. They increase stopping distance a lot. Keep that in mind. Don't take that lightly. When choosing tires. I have a 16 year old driving the 250 now. I took the big tires off.
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From: MA
Well thats the best combo you can hope for, when going bigger. I would love to put some larger tread on mine (only upgraded from 275 to 285.... so no huge difference), but to do it right, it would be too much. I am not going to sacrifice power and mileage for larger tires. If I ever get the money, the tires will be swapped along with a set of 4.30 gears, and appropriate lift (probably 4").