possible 2.5" leveling kit regret
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possible 2.5" leveling kit regret
I have an 02 F250 SD 4X4 with the Triton V-10. I should have read more articles about leveling kits before I ordered the parts. Come to find out, Ford has reduced the size of the Track Bar to 3/4" and my suspension kit and manufacturer suggests purchasing and installing an after market 1" diameter track bar. Secondly, if the truck has a factory 2" spacer on the rear leaf springs, you may have to purchase add a leafs because the lift in the front may be too great. Has anyone run across this? has anyone installed their own leveling kit? any pointers or suggestions are greatly appreciated.
Post Fiend
Joined: Dec 2002
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From: IL, USA
How much lower is the front of your truck vs. the rear?
You can measure and that will tell you how tall you need to go to make it level.
Yes, if the truck currently is level or only 1" low in the front and you install a 2" kit it will make the front taller. Some guys install the F-350 blocks (93mm) to raise the rear.
As for the trac bar, I do agree on the recommendation of an adjustable trac bar with any size lift.
You can measure and that will tell you how tall you need to go to make it level.
Yes, if the truck currently is level or only 1" low in the front and you install a 2" kit it will make the front taller. Some guys install the F-350 blocks (93mm) to raise the rear.
As for the trac bar, I do agree on the recommendation of an adjustable trac bar with any size lift.
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track bar
Thanks for responding DCSpecial,
I measured the rear clearance, from the top of the tire to the fender well lip, it is 10.5", the front measures 8.0" I might just make it without having to install F350 rear blocks or add a leafs. I can get a factory track bar that is 1" in diameter or do you strongly suggest an adjustible track bar?
I measured the rear clearance, from the top of the tire to the fender well lip, it is 10.5", the front measures 8.0" I might just make it without having to install F350 rear blocks or add a leafs. I can get a factory track bar that is 1" in diameter or do you strongly suggest an adjustible track bar?
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From: the woodzies
hey i did the same setup on my truck. If i were you i would just order a set of f350 blocks for the rear. it will make your truck look like this
as for the kit i did it all myself, if you have any questions just ask. My only regret is that rough country sent me one wrong leaf spring and stupid me put it on without checking it first and now i need to get a new spring.
as for the kit i did it all myself, if you have any questions just ask. My only regret is that rough country sent me one wrong leaf spring and stupid me put it on without checking it first and now i need to get a new spring.
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From: Houston, TX
Two things:
1) In all reality you're probably fine with the 3/4" bar. I've seen plenty of levelers installed without going up to the 1" with no problems. I'd leave it, and if you do have a problem later, then you can go 1".
2) On the V10 4x4, you'll need less front lift for leveling than with a PSD. In fact, many V10's look almost level stock due to the lighter engine. At the most you'll need is about 1.5", more likely just an inch. More than 1.5" on the V10 and you'll be adding bigger blocks, etc in the rear to level it out, and then you could've just done a full lift kit.
TX
1) In all reality you're probably fine with the 3/4" bar. I've seen plenty of levelers installed without going up to the 1" with no problems. I'd leave it, and if you do have a problem later, then you can go 1".
2) On the V10 4x4, you'll need less front lift for leveling than with a PSD. In fact, many V10's look almost level stock due to the lighter engine. At the most you'll need is about 1.5", more likely just an inch. More than 1.5" on the V10 and you'll be adding bigger blocks, etc in the rear to level it out, and then you could've just done a full lift kit.
TX
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How much are the 350 blocks? I just got a 2" leveling kit on my V10 and the front is slightly higher now. The place that installed them told me after a month of so the front springs would settle a little bit but they haven't.
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From: Wake Forest, NC
The problem I see is that if the front is "slightly" higher, and you add approx 4 inch rear blocks, you are raising the rear 2 inches and right back where you started. With all the spring combinations for the front there needs to be a more comprehensive way to raise the front. When I did my 97 F250 PSD I got springs from a local spring place that were 2 inches taller. One of them wasn't quite right (either from them or the truck), and I took it back out and had it tweaked to perfect. If I were looking for "level" that is probably what I would do again on any leaf sprung truck.
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Thanks for all the suggestions and help you guys, I appreciate it. I measured the front top of the tire to the lip of the fender well, it's 8.0" and the rear top of the tire to the fender lip is 10.5" hopefully it will work out okay with the 2.5" leveling kit. BLDOG, I found the adjustable 1" track bar at http://www.jackit.com/ford/ford_leveling_kits.htm
I called a local offroad shop and the guy builds racing trucks etc. he's been in the business for years and he also said to keep the stock 3/4" track bar. Well, we'll see how it goes.
I called a local offroad shop and the guy builds racing trucks etc. he's been in the business for years and he also said to keep the stock 3/4" track bar. Well, we'll see how it goes.
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From: the woodzies
no, what i did was just sprayed them with some pb blaster which is a strong penetrating oil, it took some muscle to get them off but i eventually did. i dont think you will need to heat them.
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