06 4X4 spring swap...alignment necessary?
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Senior User
Joined: Feb 2008
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06 4X4 spring swap...alignment necessary?
Hey guys,
I'm looking at getting an 06 SC 4X4 that has the 4400 springs on it. I want to swap them for either the 5200 or 5600. I would like to do them on my own to save money. The local Ford dealer wanted $400 to do the job (including parts and an alignment). If I get the springs on my own, I'd spend about $130. But, do I need to get an an alignment done afterward? I didn't know if it was necessary, or if the Ford dealer was just adding it on to make a few more $$.
FWIW, I have never seen the front suspension of one of these trucks yet, so I don't know what all gets removed to do the swap (that is why I don't know if an alignment is necessary).
Thanks!!
I'm looking at getting an 06 SC 4X4 that has the 4400 springs on it. I want to swap them for either the 5200 or 5600. I would like to do them on my own to save money. The local Ford dealer wanted $400 to do the job (including parts and an alignment). If I get the springs on my own, I'd spend about $130. But, do I need to get an an alignment done afterward? I didn't know if it was necessary, or if the Ford dealer was just adding it on to make a few more $$.
FWIW, I have never seen the front suspension of one of these trucks yet, so I don't know what all gets removed to do the swap (that is why I don't know if an alignment is necessary).
Thanks!!
Posting Guru
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 1,473
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From: Coal Country, ND
I'd say no, I put a 2.5" leveling kit in the front of my 05 250 about two months ago and never had it aligned. Drives like stock. I did have to adjust the drag link in order to get the steering wheel straight, that's it.
Post Fiend
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 6,245
Likes: 1
From: IL, USA
Not "necessary but, unless the truck has been aligned recently, I would get it aligned.
I never thought that they come perfectly aligned from the factory.
My 07 with 35,000 miles on it has just been aligned for the second time....handles very nicely
To swap coil springs, you unbolt the front shocks, support the truck in the air, lower the axle and remove the old coils, install the new ones, jack the axle back up and bolt the shock back up.
I never thought that they come perfectly aligned from the factory.
My 07 with 35,000 miles on it has just been aligned for the second time....handles very nicely
To swap coil springs, you unbolt the front shocks, support the truck in the air, lower the axle and remove the old coils, install the new ones, jack the axle back up and bolt the shock back up.
Thread Starter
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Senior User
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 243
Likes: 0
Not "necessary but, unless the truck has been aligned recently, I would get it aligned.
I never thought that they come perfectly aligned from the factory.
My 07 with 35,000 miles on it has just been aligned for the second time....handles very nicely
To swap coil springs, you unbolt the front shocks, support the truck in the air, lower the axle and remove the old coils, install the new ones, jack the axle back up and bolt the shock back up.
I never thought that they come perfectly aligned from the factory.
My 07 with 35,000 miles on it has just been aligned for the second time....handles very nicely
To swap coil springs, you unbolt the front shocks, support the truck in the air, lower the axle and remove the old coils, install the new ones, jack the axle back up and bolt the shock back up.
I just got a copy of the instructions on how to swap the springs....SIMPLE!! (this site is awesome by the way!!). So I can swap them myself, and then see how the truck drives to see if it needs an alignment I guess. But from what I'm gathering here, it might be worth it to do one anyways.
Posting Guru
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 1,473
Likes: 0
From: Coal Country, ND
Yeah swapping coils is cake on these trucks. I was suprised that there is nothing holding the coils in except for the weight of the truck. Once you get the truck in the air far enough (and remove the front shocks and sway bar) they pull right out.
