Notices
1999 - 2016 Super Duty 1999 to 2016 Ford F250, F350, F450 and F550 Super Duty with diesel V8 and gas V8 and V10 engines
Sponsored by:
Sponsored by: Real Truck

How do I tell...

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Jul 16, 2007 | 02:12 PM
  #1  
borcht warrior's Avatar
borcht warrior
Thread Starter
|
Mountain Pass
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 139
Likes: 0
From: Calgary, AB, Canada
How do I tell...

Here is a bit of a newbie question. How do I tell if my truck has a levelling kit on it? I am tempted to go to the local home improvement store to start looking at all the SD's to figure it out.

My truck is an 06 F-250 with a 6.0. I bought it used from a GMC dealership and right from the day I bought it, it looked a little high up front. My buddies think the rear springs are shot but they only got 34,000 KM on them. However the truck does have a gooseneck hitch mounted in the bed so who knows.

Does any one have pic's of before and after of the a coil spring leveling kit installed? This might help me figure it out.

The only reason I am concerned is that when we were camping last week the truckers were flashng me with their headlights alot when I was on low beams
 
Reply
Old Jul 16, 2007 | 02:13 PM
  #2  
EaTmYtAiLpIpEs's Avatar
EaTmYtAiLpIpEs
Senior User
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 420
Likes: 0
From: Amsterdam, NY
well does it have blocks on the rear leaf springs?
 
Reply
Old Jul 16, 2007 | 03:14 PM
  #3  
redford's Avatar
redford
FTE Leadership Emeritus
25 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 23,174
Likes: 1,678
From: Stephensville WI
Club FTE Gold Member
When parked on a level surface, does it look level, tail high or nose high?

Are there any parts on the front suspension, epecially around the coil springs, that do not look like they came from the factory?

What size tires and wheels do you have?

How tall are the blocks between the leaf springs and the rear axle?

Did your truck get equipped with any special suspension option, like heavy dudty suspension or snow plow package?
 
Reply
Old Jul 16, 2007 | 04:31 PM
  #4  
bpounds's Avatar
bpounds
Hotshot
15 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 17,399
Likes: 318
From: Whittier, CA
[QUOTE=borcht warrior]Here is a bit of a newbie question. How do I tell if my truck has a levelling kit on it? I am tempted to go to the local home improvement store to start looking at all the SD's to figure it out. /QUOTE]

I don't know how to tell re the blocks. However, my truck sits fairly level and I'm pretty sure it's because it has the snowplow prep package. The camper prep package would probably do the same thing. The option gets you heavier front springs and a "special" fan. Check your build sheet for an option like that.

Bill
 
Reply
Old Jul 16, 2007 | 04:34 PM
  #5  
redford's Avatar
redford
FTE Leadership Emeritus
25 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 23,174
Likes: 1,678
From: Stephensville WI
Club FTE Gold Member
The blocks are just that, a block of metal that sits between the leaf spring and the rear axle. You can see it if you look into the fender around the rear tire.

You just measure how high that is with a tape measure.
 
Reply
Old Jul 16, 2007 | 04:47 PM
  #6  
exposition's Avatar
exposition
Senior User
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 167
Likes: 0
I asked the same ques. a month ago . After being told what to look for ,I found I had a 4" lift. Does this require different shocks ? ( longer stroke ? ) . Thanks for letting me use your Question .
 
Reply
Old Jul 16, 2007 | 05:41 PM
  #7  
jake00's Avatar
jake00
Hotshot
20 Year Member
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 13,589
Likes: 2
From: NW burbs of chicago
Club FTE Gold Member
Originally Posted by EaTmYtAiLpIpEs
well does it have blocks on the rear leaf springs?
there should never ever be blocks up front.
 
Reply
Old Jul 16, 2007 | 05:44 PM
  #8  
Ace!'s Avatar
Ace!
Cargo Master
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 2,751
Likes: 3
From: So Oregon
A leveling kit on a 2006 will be a rubber or plastic spacer on top of the front coil springs. You don't have to look for anything else. If there is a spacer on top of the coil that is more than 1 1/2 or 2" tall you have a leveling kti; however, an F250 is typically pretty even front to back, so I would venture to guess a leveling kit on an F250 will make it sit nose high.
 
Reply
FTE Stories

Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts

story-0

Top 10 Fords at 2026 Carlisle Ford Nationals

 Joe Kucinski
story-1

3 Best / 3 Worst Parts of Modern Ford Ownership

 Brett Foote
story-2

10 Amazing Upgrades That Solve Common Ford Truck Owner Headaches

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-3

Every 2026 Ford Engine Explained

 Brett Foote
story-4

10 Ugly Ford Trucks That We Still Kinda Love

 Joe Kucinski
story-5

10 Things Every Truck Owner NEEDS (2026 Edition)

 Michael S. Palmer
story-6

Rezvani's Latest Post-Apocalyptic Monster Is a Ford F-150 Raptor Underneath

 Verdad Gallardo
story-7

Top 10 Most Expensive Ford Trucks Ever Sold on Bring a Trailer

 Joe Kucinski
story-8

2027 Ford Super Duty Buyer's Guide (Every Model, Engine, & Package)

 Brett Foote
story-9

Top 10 Ford Truck Tragedies

 Joe Kucinski
Old Jul 16, 2007 | 06:37 PM
  #9  
bigredtruckmi's Avatar
bigredtruckmi
Lead Driver
Veteran: Navy
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 7,782
Likes: 221
From: Huntington Indiana
Club FTE Gold Member
You went camping. Did you have a trailer, fifth wheel or a slide in camper?
 
Reply
Old Jul 17, 2007 | 12:07 PM
  #10  
borcht warrior's Avatar
borcht warrior
Thread Starter
|
Mountain Pass
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 139
Likes: 0
From: Calgary, AB, Canada
Wow guys thanks for all the responses...

First off my truck sits a little nose high and seems to sit higher than other SD's.

There is a spacer on top of the front coil springs but I will measure it and take pictures tonight.

I will also measure the rear blocks 2" for the 250, 4" from a 350

It did not come from the factory with the snow plow prep or the camper prep (I still have the factory window sticker) It does have the FX4 package.
Not related but we have a 23' TT that I was pulling all the time.
 
Reply
Old Jul 17, 2007 | 12:08 PM
  #11  
borcht warrior's Avatar
borcht warrior
Thread Starter
|
Mountain Pass
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 139
Likes: 0
From: Calgary, AB, Canada
Sorry forgot to add that it has factory rims and tires.
 
Reply
Old Jul 17, 2007 | 12:28 PM
  #12  
bpounds's Avatar
bpounds
Hotshot
15 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 17,399
Likes: 318
From: Whittier, CA
Originally Posted by borcht warrior
It did not come from the factory with the snow plow prep or the camper prep (I still have the factory window sticker) It does have the FX4 package.
Not related but we have a 23' TT that I was pulling all the time.
I also have an '06, F250 FX4 PSD, SCLB. So we have similar trucks. I also tow a 23' Pioneer travel trailer. It has a tongue weight of about 400 lbs (probably more like 500 with full water tank). I've weighed the trailer on a trip so I know it weighs about 5,200 lbs.

So regarding your headlight aim, do you use a WD hitch and is it adjusted properly? I hoped to not need the WD hitch when buying the truck, but found that I did need it. Without it the rear of the truck lowered about 2 or 3 inches and the front lifted about 1 inch (roughly, can't remember the exact measurements). That certainly would be enough to cause your headlights to be aimed too high. With the WD hitch I could perfectly level the truck, but I found that to be a bit too bouncy so I reduced hitch tension a bit. Now the rear drops about an inch and the front is nominal. Not a serious change in headlight aim.

I'll try to get out to the lot and see what, if any, blocks I have on my springs.

Which cab and bed length do you have?

Bill
 
Reply
Old Jul 17, 2007 | 12:46 PM
  #13  
borcht warrior's Avatar
borcht warrior
Thread Starter
|
Mountain Pass
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 139
Likes: 0
From: Calgary, AB, Canada
I have a weight distributing hitch as well and when i stopped for fuel I readjusted it and the lights were better.

My concern was that I might be tightening those springs a little too much. I also was just curious why the truck sits nose high with no load.

My truck is a Crew cab (4 doors) and it has the 6'6" box.
 
Reply
Old Jul 17, 2007 | 12:50 PM
  #14  
borcht warrior's Avatar
borcht warrior
Thread Starter
|
Mountain Pass
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 139
Likes: 0
From: Calgary, AB, Canada
The trailer is a 23' MaxLite. 4075 lbs dry, tongue weight 425 dry. I imagine that it was closer to 600 lbs loaded.

Your trailer is quite similar in weight to mine.
 
Reply
Old Jul 17, 2007 | 02:36 PM
  #15  
bpounds's Avatar
bpounds
Hotshot
15 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 17,399
Likes: 318
From: Whittier, CA
Originally Posted by bpounds
I also have an '06, F250 FX4 PSD, SCLB....

I'll try to get out to the lot and see what, if any, blocks I have on my springs.

Bill
Just checked, and on the front I have about a 1" thick rubber spacer at the top of the springs. It doesn't look like anything more than a regular spring cushion with the center guide boss. It could have been made thinner though, so maybe it has something to do with the snow plow option. I would guess it's just stock for a 4x4.

On the rear I have a 2" block under the springs.

Bill
 
Reply



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 04:26 PM.

story-0
Top 10 Fords at 2026 Carlisle Ford Nationals

Slideshow: Top 10 Fords at 2026 Ford Nationals

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-06-09 11:10:08


VIEW MORE
story-1
3 Best / 3 Worst Parts of Modern Ford Ownership

Based on years of owning multiple modern Ford products.

By Brett Foote | 2026-06-09 10:53:36


VIEW MORE
story-2
10 Amazing Upgrades That Solve Common Ford Truck Owner Headaches

SPONSORED: From muddy boots to rain-soaked cargo, these upgrades address some of the most common frustrations Ford truck owners face every day.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-06-08 18:50:34


VIEW MORE
story-3
Every 2026 Ford Engine Explained

Here's everything you need to know about every Ford engine available for the 2026 model year.

By Brett Foote | 2026-06-05 12:58:01


VIEW MORE
story-4
10 Ugly Ford Trucks That We Still Kinda Love

Slideshow: 10 ugly Ford trucks that we still kinda love.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-06-03 09:51:16


VIEW MORE
story-5
10 Things Every Truck Owner NEEDS (2026 Edition)

Slideshow: the best gifts for dads & grads

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-06-03 15:43:58


VIEW MORE
story-6
Rezvani's Latest Post-Apocalyptic Monster Is a Ford F-150 Raptor Underneath

Slideshow: Called the Fortress, the 850-horsepower pickup combines Raptor underpinnings with military-inspired features, survival equipment, and a starting price of $285,000.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-06-03 11:38:36


VIEW MORE
story-7
Top 10 Most Expensive Ford Trucks Ever Sold on Bring a Trailer

Slideshow: 10 most expensive Ford trucks ever sold on Bring a Trailer.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-27 16:24:34


VIEW MORE
story-8
2027 Ford Super Duty Buyer's Guide (Every Model, Engine, & Package)

Here's everything that has changed for the latest model year.

By Brett Foote | 2026-05-27 16:17:28


VIEW MORE
story-9
Top 10 Ford Truck Tragedies

Slideshow: Top 10 Ford truck tragedies.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-18 19:34:33


VIEW MORE