Rough Country Leveling Kit Install Help
Thread Starter
|
Posting Guru
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 1,176
Likes: 1
From: the woodzies
Rough Country Leveling Kit Install Help
Hey i was wondering if anyone knows how hard it is to install a Rough Country leveling kit. I just ordered it and am planning on installing it in the parking lot at my college. All i have here are a good set of handtools, i am gonna borrow floor jacks and jack stands from some other students. This kit involves swapping front leafs and i am starting to wonder if this is a too big of a job to do without airtools? Anybody done this kit or a similar one with out airtools or anything?
Elder User
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 979
Likes: 0
From: SoCali!!
It can be done I am sure, but you are in for some fun if you try it. With air and a hoist it can be done in a couple hours, with floor jacks and hand tools, it is going to take what will seem like forever. If you do it, make sure your truck is on concrete, and be very careful supporting the front axle the leaf(s) removed. You are gonna want to use at least 5 ton jackstands, and at least two pair to be safe. I have lifted a couple hundred trucks over 20 years, and I would never do a 7 or 8 thousand pound truck in the driveway, regardless of what tools I have at my disposal.
Tim
Tim
Thread Starter
|
Posting Guru
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 1,176
Likes: 1
From: the woodzies
Tim, thanks i wish i could take it to a shop to have it done but i dont have the money. I wish i had my own shop too but i also dont so i am stuck with hand tools and floor jacks. Luckly there quite a few auto shops here in maryland so if i run into anyproblems i can go get a second opinion...haha i think i am gonna be the first person in my schools history to jack a truck up in the parking lot....haha
Freshman User
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 26
Likes: 0
Ok, I'm an idiot, I just read you are getting the spring kit. Spray PB Blaster on all 8 U bolt nuts and the bolts holding the leaf springs. Spray it on every day from now until the time you put the kit on. Either that or find someone with torches and heat up the bolts holdong the leaf springs. Make sure you have a breaker bar handy. Your lucky you dont have to mess with the track bar crap, it can be a real PITA. If you have any other questions don't hesitate to ask, I just did a leveling kit on mine last weekend. Oh, yeah, schedule an alignment, you will need it after you put the kit on, or you can adjust the linkage at the tie rod end coming from the pitman arm(theres a collar you can adjust there).
Thread Starter
|
Posting Guru
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 1,176
Likes: 1
From: the woodzies
thanks a bunch! are ya sure i need an allignment? i have heard alot of people dont get one cause the kit does not effect the tierod....just wondering how does the truck look with the kit? noticably higher than other SD?
Trending Topics
Elder User
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 895
Likes: 0
From: Tampa
I just did mine and it was a pain. You will need a really good floor jack 5 tons is the smallest I would go. DO NOT use the little jack stands. You will need the big ones I think there 12 tons stands and they go up to 28" tall, I think and a good set of MM Sockets. 15mm and up to 24mm, 1/2 drive.
FTE Stories
Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts
10 Things Every Truck Owner NEEDS (2026 Edition)
Michael S. Palmer
Rezvani's Latest Post-Apocalyptic Monster Is a Ford F-150 Raptor Underneath
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Most Expensive Ford Trucks Ever Sold on Bring a Trailer
Joe Kucinski
2027 Ford Super Duty Buyer's Guide (Every Model, Engine, & Package)
Brett Foote
Top 10 Ford Truck Tragedies
Joe Kucinski
AEV FXL Super Duty - the Super Duty Raptor Ford Doesn't Make
Brett Foote
Lobo Vs Lobo: Proof the F-150 Lobo Should Be Even Lower!
Michael S. Palmer
Ford's 2001 Explorer Sportsman Concept Looks For a New Home
Verdad Gallardo
10 Best Ford Truck Engines We Miss the Most!
Joe Kucinski
Freshman User
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 26
Likes: 0
Theoretically, no, you dont need a full blown alignment, but you will need to adjust the linkage at the tie rod end that is connected to the pitman arm. Since you are changing the height of the truck, the linkage needs to be turned to be longer because that distace is being changed (all it is is a collar connecting the tie rod end at the pitman arm and the tie rod, it has two bolts that need loosened and then you turn the collar, and spray PB Blaster on it beforehand too). When you are done with the install, your steering wheel will probably be about 90 degrees to the right when you are driving straight and that is why the linkage will need to be adjusted. At least thats how mine was. But yes, it does look alot better than stock. I also put F-350 4" lift blocks in the rear so that the front and rear sit level with the front leveling kit. There is a really good thread about installing the F-350 rear blocks on here, if you are interested.
Thread Starter
|
Posting Guru
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 1,176
Likes: 1
From: the woodzies
thanks for that! i have actuallyalready seen that thread. i am gonna put 350 blocks on her when i have the money to buy em. I wish i had more money for the truck but i am in college so those guys are gonna have to wait till the spring probably....
Elder User
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 855
Likes: 5
Originally Posted by SuperDuty5.4Guy
Ok, I'm an idiot, I just read you are getting the spring kit. Spray PB Blaster on all 8 U bolt nuts and the bolts holding the leaf springs. Spray it on every day from now until the time you put the kit on. Either that or find someone with torches and heat up the bolts holdong the leaf springs. Make sure you have a breaker bar handy. Your lucky you dont have to mess with the track bar crap, it can be a real PITA. If you have any other questions don't hesitate to ask, I just did a leveling kit on mine last weekend. Oh, yeah, schedule an alignment, you will need it after you put the kit on, or you can adjust the linkage at the tie rod end coming from the pitman arm(theres a collar you can adjust there).
Senior User
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 186
Likes: 0
From: Orangevale, CA
Most new ubolts are nice and long so either a grinder to cut them, a huge deep well socket(24mm I think) or a huge racheting wrench to get things set up. I used a grinder to cut the ubolts down after I installed the nuts so I could fit my deep wells and torque wrench. Loctite also
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
50dann
Brakes, Steering, Suspension, Tires, & Wheels
5
Oct 22, 2013 12:54 PM
mikeyc0120
1999 - 2003 7.3L Power Stroke Diesel
2
Jul 29, 2010 08:50 PM
justblowin'smoke
1999 - 2003 7.3L Power Stroke Diesel
2
Feb 19, 2008 09:34 PM