Front End leveling question...with a catch...
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Front End leveling question...with a catch...
I've just bought a used '04 F-350 4WD. The whole truck has been lifted but the front end still sits lower. I'd like to level it by 3.5" . The problem is, I don't know for sure what has already been done. It looks like the shackles have been extended, but I'm not sure about the springs or the Hangers. How can I tel What has been done? Would I be best to just get the springs re-shaped?
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Depending on which spring you have, re-arching the spring may be a very bad option. If the spring is stock, and you arch it to gain lift, you will have shortened the spring, and will make it very stiff. The shackle will be at a poor angle and the truck will be very stiff.
3.5 inches is not a level that is a lift (especially if it already has a lift) . Most trucks only have about 2 inches of rake.
Most of the guys here can determine with a picture if the truck has anything other than stock components. If the truck has been lifted already, then you are not looking at a leveling kit. Leveling kits are generally only 2 to 2.5 inches over stock. If you are considering more than that, and 3.5 inches comes to mind, you are going to need to post a few pics to see if anyone can determine what has been done already.
Exactly what are you trying to accomplish? Bigger tires?
3.5 inches is not a level that is a lift (especially if it already has a lift) . Most trucks only have about 2 inches of rake.
Most of the guys here can determine with a picture if the truck has anything other than stock components. If the truck has been lifted already, then you are not looking at a leveling kit. Leveling kits are generally only 2 to 2.5 inches over stock. If you are considering more than that, and 3.5 inches comes to mind, you are going to need to post a few pics to see if anyone can determine what has been done already.
Exactly what are you trying to accomplish? Bigger tires?
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I'm really just wanting the truck to sit level. When I measure from the top of the tire to the wheel well, I'm about 3" taller in the rear. Right now my hunch is I may be able to add an extened hanger for my front spring but not sure if it is still the stock one. Is there something I can measure to determine if it stock or A/M?
I'll try to get some good pics in the next day or so.
The truck is running 33"'s right now. I'm thinking of putting some 35's on but I'm pretty sure they'd fit righ now if I really wanted to, so larger tires are not the goal of my leveling.
I'll try to get some good pics in the next day or so.
The truck is running 33"'s right now. I'm thinking of putting some 35's on but I'm pretty sure they'd fit righ now if I really wanted to, so larger tires are not the goal of my leveling.
Last edited by Fluid Power; Jun 7, 2007 at 01:55 AM.
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The first problem you may encounter when you raise the front end even more, is that the trac bar will be too short. If you have lifted it 3 inches so far, and you need another 3 inches, you will have to relocate the upper trac bar mount, so anoyher bracket will have to be made, or purchased.
Whoever installed the kit may have done the rear incorrectly, and raised the rear too high. Do you have an add-a-leaf, and the factory block? Did they add another block that is taller than the factory one?
Maybe the solution is in the rear. Could be too high, and simply lowering it there will be the best solution.
Whoever installed the kit may have done the rear incorrectly, and raised the rear too high. Do you have an add-a-leaf, and the factory block? Did they add another block that is taller than the factory one?
Maybe the solution is in the rear. Could be too high, and simply lowering it there will be the best solution.
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Originally Posted by 75F350
The first problem you may encounter when you raise the front end even more, is that the trac bar will be too short. If you have lifted it 3 inches so far, and you need another 3 inches, you will have to relocate the upper trac bar mount, so anoyher bracket will have to be made, or purchased.
Whoever installed the kit may have done the rear incorrectly, and raised the rear too high. Do you have an add-a-leaf, and the factory block? Did they add another block that is taller than the factory one?
Maybe the solution is in the rear. Could be too high, and simply lowering it there will be the best solution.
Whoever installed the kit may have done the rear incorrectly, and raised the rear too high. Do you have an add-a-leaf, and the factory block? Did they add another block that is taller than the factory one?
Maybe the solution is in the rear. Could be too high, and simply lowering it there will be the best solution.
Is there a measurement I can take to tell me how much lift is in the rear?
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Inspect the spring pack in the rear, and check for a lower leaf that appears to be newer than the rest. A brand new leaf would indicate an add-a-leaf, and should be very easy to detect. If they added it, it can be easily removed, and will solve your troubles.
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There is an add-a-leaf in the back, as well as the block.
Last edited by Fluid Power; Jun 7, 2007 at 07:47 PM.
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How many leafs do your front springs have?
That bottom leaf on the back looks like the stock lower leaf. My '04 only has 4 leafs bundled together, then the small spacer, then the lower leaf. Yours has 5 leaves plus the lower leaf. The single leaf above is the overload leaf for the camper package.
My truck sagged from 1 1/2" front/rear difference to about 2 3/4" difference front to rear after 70,000 miles.
It is possible you have stock springs on the truck, and it has just sagged more.
Eaton Springs is designing a stock leaf package to acheive a 2 1/2"-3" lift lift over stock using the factory spring rates so as to acheive a factory smooth ride. I will post the cost and part # as soon as they have it ready for me if you are interested.
That bottom leaf on the back looks like the stock lower leaf. My '04 only has 4 leafs bundled together, then the small spacer, then the lower leaf. Yours has 5 leaves plus the lower leaf. The single leaf above is the overload leaf for the camper package.
My truck sagged from 1 1/2" front/rear difference to about 2 3/4" difference front to rear after 70,000 miles.
It is possible you have stock springs on the truck, and it has just sagged more.
Eaton Springs is designing a stock leaf package to acheive a 2 1/2"-3" lift lift over stock using the factory spring rates so as to acheive a factory smooth ride. I will post the cost and part # as soon as they have it ready for me if you are interested.
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That spring pack has been apart at least once in its life. There is a leaf, second from the bottom that is round cut at the ends, and not square cut like the others. This looks as though it might be the AAL. It was made with a new clamp that holds the entire pack together. I also noticed brand new u-bolts, this also supports the theory of a spring pack that has been removed, and modified.
Am I seeing another small block under the factory block? I am unable to see it very well, but it would appear to have an additional block. Removing it would help by lowering the rear slightly, or you could install F250 blocks. That would get you there too.
Am I seeing another small block under the factory block? I am unable to see it very well, but it would appear to have an additional block. Removing it would help by lowering the rear slightly, or you could install F250 blocks. That would get you there too.
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From: Lower Mainland, BC
Originally Posted by 75F350
Am I seeing another small block under the factory block? I am unable to see it very well, but it would appear to have an additional block. Removing it would help by lowering the rear slightly, or you could install F250 blocks. That would get you there too.
Re-arching springs isn't a good solution, for the reasons that 75F350 mentioned, and because they'll eventually sag back down again.
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From: Gilbert Az.
from the picture it looks as tiough the front springs are aftermarket (skyjacker softride) by the taper & my memory, & they look to be in very poor condition I would recomend a good spring shop to evaluate them. as soft rides will sag quite a bit faster than others due to the grade of steel having a lower modulous of elasticity, not a bad thing if you want a suple ride, not a good thing if you want a long lasting, high capacity spring pack. I have allways used them on my 1/2 tons & loved the ride quality but anymore than a couple hundred lbs. in the bed would squat it almost back to stock height, definately not for hauling or towing, too bad cause the ride like a Lincoln!
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Originally Posted by hotroddsl
from the picture it looks as tiough the front springs are aftermarket (skyjacker softride) by the taper & my memory, & they look to be in very poor condition I would recomend a good spring shop to evaluate them. as soft rides will sag quite a bit faster than others due to the grade of steel having a lower modulous of elasticity, not a bad thing if you want a suple ride, not a good thing if you want a long lasting, high capacity spring pack. I have allways used them on my 1/2 tons & loved the ride quality but anymore than a couple hundred lbs. in the bed would squat it almost back to stock height, definately not for hauling or towing, too bad cause the ride like a Lincoln!
That being said, if they once sat higher, they can again.
As I'm a bit of a rookie mechanic, How can I measure the extended length of my shocks?
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Take them off, and measure the extended length.
If you have a floor jack big enough you can lift one end of the axle, preferably the one with the shock, and lift that end until the other side comes off of the ground. It will have to go pretty high so be carefull. The other end will have to extend very far, and this will give you a decent indication of full suspension extension. Take a measurement of the shock mounts, and you can compare it to the demension of the shock at full extension, and you will know if the shock will be long enough.
If you have a floor jack big enough you can lift one end of the axle, preferably the one with the shock, and lift that end until the other side comes off of the ground. It will have to go pretty high so be carefull. The other end will have to extend very far, and this will give you a decent indication of full suspension extension. Take a measurement of the shock mounts, and you can compare it to the demension of the shock at full extension, and you will know if the shock will be long enough.