Help: Overwhelmed by leveling options
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Junior User
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Help: Overwhelmed by leveling options
Holy crap do I need help ...
The problem: I attended the 4WheelParts sale in Puyallup (Wash.) today thinking I'd score a quick and easy deal on a leveling kit. Three hours later I have many options to choose from and am confused as hell.
The mission: Level my 2005 F350 6.0 crewcab 4X4 using leveling kit purchased by Sunday, April 5.
Questions:
Please help.
The problem: I attended the 4WheelParts sale in Puyallup (Wash.) today thinking I'd score a quick and easy deal on a leveling kit. Three hours later I have many options to choose from and am confused as hell.
The mission: Level my 2005 F350 6.0 crewcab 4X4 using leveling kit purchased by Sunday, April 5.
Questions:
- Should I get Pro-tec's steel spacers that require new shocks?
- Or should I go with Revteck's OEM-looking spacer with cam bolts (that require new shocks)?
- There are also various polyurethane kits that come with shock extension so I can use existing shocks. What are those about?
Please help.
Post Fiend
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 6,245
Likes: 1
From: IL, USA
Best ride will come with something with progressive rate coils and Super Duty specific shocks.....like the Icon 2.5" system or the Bilstein 2.25" BTS system.
Unless, you snow plow.....then I'd go with a steel spacer setup with Bisltein shocks.
Bilstein or Icon shocks are much better than stockers.
Adjustable trac bar is a nice upgrade.
Alignment cams to correct caster are needed with ANY leveling system for the 05-09 SD.
Unless, you snow plow.....then I'd go with a steel spacer setup with Bisltein shocks.
Bilstein or Icon shocks are much better than stockers.
Adjustable trac bar is a nice upgrade.
Alignment cams to correct caster are needed with ANY leveling system for the 05-09 SD.
Post Fiend
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 10,007
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From: Central Florida
So here's the skinny I've learned from various reps. Poly spacer will absorb more vibration than the steel, however they use so high of a durometer that you will not notice a difference. The design differences to look into are if the spacer is contained as part of the spring which will make the ride somewhat stiffer. Or it's between the spring cup and the mount where it makes the spring sit further away without adding pressure to the captured spring.
Your truck is 4 years old and probably due for shocks if your still running on the stock ones.
Your truck is 4 years old and probably due for shocks if your still running on the stock ones.
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Junior User
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Best ride will come with something with progressive rate coils and Super Duty specific shocks.....like the Icon 2.5" system or the Bilstein 2.25" BTS system.
Unless, you snow plow.....then I'd go with a steel spacer setup with Bisltein shocks.
Bilstein or Icon shocks are much better than stockers.
Adjustable trac bar is a nice upgrade.
Alignment cams to correct caster are needed with ANY leveling system for the 05-09 SD.
Unless, you snow plow.....then I'd go with a steel spacer setup with Bisltein shocks.
Bilstein or Icon shocks are much better than stockers.
Adjustable trac bar is a nice upgrade.
Alignment cams to correct caster are needed with ANY leveling system for the 05-09 SD.
The Revtek dude is also the only one at the sales event who mentioned anything about a trac bar possibly being necessary, though his kit does not come with them because, he says, not every truck needs one though many do. He suggested putting on the lift and then measuring everything out first.
Freshman User
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 43
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From: Central NY
where can you get the alignment cams from?
I found some at http://www.polyperformance.com/shop/...t-p-19128.html for $102. how exactly do these work??? I just put in an order a couple days ago for the bilstein bts kit. I personally think that is the way to go. i will find out here pretty soon for sure!
I found some at http://www.polyperformance.com/shop/...t-p-19128.html for $102. how exactly do these work??? I just put in an order a couple days ago for the bilstein bts kit. I personally think that is the way to go. i will find out here pretty soon for sure!
Post Fiend
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 6,245
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From: IL, USA
The cams go around the upper ball joint. You remove the stock cams and install ones that shift the upper ball joint back towards the cab. This gives you more positive caster.
With a leveling kit, the additional height gives you a negative change in caster.
The more negative your caster, the more prone it will be to death wobble.....so the cams are to get it back positive and prevent that.
Always important to make sure that cams are used with a leveling kit.
Personally, I think that the 05+ trucks run a little bit too low of a caster setting from the factory so I opted to install the cams that are used with leveling kits on my stock height (7000lb coils) 07 for better handling.
With a leveling kit, the additional height gives you a negative change in caster.
The more negative your caster, the more prone it will be to death wobble.....so the cams are to get it back positive and prevent that.
Always important to make sure that cams are used with a leveling kit.
Personally, I think that the 05+ trucks run a little bit too low of a caster setting from the factory so I opted to install the cams that are used with leveling kits on my stock height (7000lb coils) 07 for better handling.
FTE Leadership Emeritus
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 23,174
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From: Stephensville WI
The cams go around the upper ball joint. You remove the stock cams and install ones that shift the upper ball joint back towards the cab. This gives you more positive caster.
With a leveling kit, the additional height gives you a negative change in caster.
The more negative your caster, the more prone it will be to death wobble.....so the cams are to get it back positive and prevent that.
Always important to make sure that cams are used with a leveling kit.
Personally, I think that the 05+ trucks run a little bit too low of a caster setting from the factory so I opted to install the cams that are used with leveling kits on my stock height (7000lb coils) 07 for better handling.
With a leveling kit, the additional height gives you a negative change in caster.
The more negative your caster, the more prone it will be to death wobble.....so the cams are to get it back positive and prevent that.
Always important to make sure that cams are used with a leveling kit.
Personally, I think that the 05+ trucks run a little bit too low of a caster setting from the factory so I opted to install the cams that are used with leveling kits on my stock height (7000lb coils) 07 for better handling.
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Junior User
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Think I'm going to go with the Revtek. It's an OEM-looking spacer that fits between the cup and the coil (so shouldn't be preloading the shock) and comes with the cams and shocks.
Plus the factory rep gets mad karma for apparantly knowing what the other manufacturers didn't - or didn't want to tell me.
Thanks for the guidance, folks. I'll post pics when everything is said and done.
Plus the factory rep gets mad karma for apparantly knowing what the other manufacturers didn't - or didn't want to tell me.
Thanks for the guidance, folks. I'll post pics when everything is said and done.
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Post Fiend
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 6,245
Likes: 1
From: IL, USA
Not sure if Ford sells cams or not. I'd imagine they'd sell the stock cams. Not sure about larger cams via the parts counter or not.
Generally you don't need to change cams when aligning a stock SD....they are within the spec set by Ford. IMO, the spec is a little too low. I run my stock height 07 out of spec on the positive side.
Generally you don't need to change cams when aligning a stock SD....they are within the spec set by Ford. IMO, the spec is a little too low. I run my stock height 07 out of spec on the positive side.
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