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need help with front end leveling kit

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Old Feb 16, 2009 | 10:31 PM
  #1  
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need help with front end leveling kit

I have an 08 F350 4x4 6.4 diesel crew cab that i want to install a front end leveling kit on. i have found 2 different ones to choose from. conflict is that one says that i need to install new shocks to install ( tuff country brand) , while other makes no mention of needing to install new shocks (ready lift brand). both brands look exactly the same, what is correct? do i need to install new shocks or not? THanks for your help.

Ricky
 
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Old Feb 16, 2009 | 10:50 PM
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Welcome to FTE! You have found the right place to get answer's to your questions.

From what I know (I am not an expert) you should not need shocks for just a front end leveling kit. You should be good with the amount of travel that you have already. I can promise you that someone on here knows for sure and will help you out. I know this doesn't really help you much but at least it will put your question on the front page for a little while. Good luck.
 
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Old Feb 16, 2009 | 11:01 PM
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Hi there,

I have been doing a bit of research about this in the past few months, because i am in the process of building my own (complete tutorial with basic shoptools to come in the next few weeks as i finish it)

The difference is that with the readylift leveling kit, the entire front end is spaced down, including shock spacers which allow you to keep your stock shocks (go to you tube and type in readylift 2.5 to see a good video explaining it with an exploded view of the entire system)

The other kit most likely replaces your shocks, coils, some mounting brackets, etc. (i would have to see the kit to be sure)

As to the one better than the other question, it depends on application, what other modifications you have or plan on having, etc.

Hope this helps
-Jacob
"Gone missin, back later"
 
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Old Feb 17, 2009 | 12:14 AM
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I have the Ready lift on my 2006 f250, has the coil spacer on top of the coil and the shock spacer in the bottom of the shock. I would go with ready lift, have talked to numerous people and shops and they agree.
 
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Old Mar 1, 2009 | 10:54 AM
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I have a 2008 FX4 F250 and I was looking into maybe going with the Readylift so that I could install 35" tires. Also heard that 37" tires could fit. Whats the word on this brand of kit?
 
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Old Mar 1, 2009 | 11:12 AM
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I recedntly put the readylift 2 1/2" levelling kit (spacer on top of the spring) on my 2008 F250, CC, PSD. Went in easily in about 1.5 hours. Stock shocks work but may get over extended if you do serious off roading. The ride didn't change at all. I have a set of bilsteins to put on just because the are much better than stock. The older readylift kit I had did not have the shock extensions in it but the stock shock still works. The newer kits have the shock extensions in the box. You will be fine with the Readylift, they are very stout with a nice finish. Just be sure to lower both sides at once to tip the springs out and it goes very smooth. I tried to do one side at a time and the axle won't drop far enough to tip the spring out to put the spacer on top. It takes an additional jack and a couple more jackstands but it is the only way. I always try my brilliant idea first and then follow the instructions.
 
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Old Mar 1, 2009 | 11:18 AM
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Thanks for the info. What size tires are you running on yours? Do you think that installing this kit would void the factory warrenty?
 
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Old Mar 1, 2009 | 11:37 AM
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The only warranty that should be affected is the suspension warranty. Ask your dealler first and they will tell you. If it is a good dealler than they may still cover most of the suspension. Just not the shocks of course. As far as those go what I have read in the past and wha I plan to do with my truck is when the stock shocks wear out replace them with the longer ones. Hope this helps
 
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Old Mar 1, 2009 | 11:42 AM
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Also you will want to ensure that your driveline angle does not change to much, otherwise you could have the seal at the rear yoke cause you problems.

So you may need to use a space on the carrier bearing. Maybe 1" at the most. Depends if you are going to add a leaf in the rear or not.
 
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Old Mar 1, 2009 | 11:49 AM
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The Kit I was was looking at (Ready Lift) I believe comes with the carrier bearing spacer and also with the spacer block for the rear.
 
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Old Mar 1, 2009 | 11:58 AM
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i would rather do a add a leaf then adding more blocks ontop of what is there already...more stable.

My other truck I used a 2.5" leveling kit, from skyjacker. came with the leaf, coil spacers, and i got new shocks too.
 

Last edited by senix; Mar 1, 2009 at 12:00 PM. Reason: additional info
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