I'm still in the air about doing a full lift kit or just a leveling kit, but I'm leaning more towards the lift kit at this point. I'd be doing a 4.5" Icon lift, dual steering stabilizers, and 35s (probably Toyo M/Ts) on my stock rims. Here's the breakdown:

4.5" Icon Lift Kit: http://www.topguncustomz.com/Store/G...view=231461134

Top Gun Customz Dual Steering Stabilizer: http://www.topguncustomz.com/Store/G...view=248938821

35" Toyo M/Ts (maybe 11.5s or 12.5s): http://www.topguncustomz.com/Store/G...?VTItem=360090

Do I need anything else to complete the lift? I know I'll need an alignment and to reprogram the computer. Do I need to re-gear with the 35s or should I be ok with the PSD? Do I need fender flares to keep the road grit off the side or will it not be too bad? I'll also eventually get around to doing a prerunner bar to complete to look. Any input would be appreciated.

 

If you decide to just do leveling kit I have a set of 2.5" skyjacker springs. They will bring the front up to level using the big block in the back

 

Thanks Ash. I'll let you know.


As for the 4.5" lift, do I need a carrier bearing drop or a drop pitman arm? Top Gun says it has everything I need, but i'm not sure it includes these two parts. Some clarification would be great.

 

I think both are options but not required for 4"

 

a carrier bearing drop is probably good to have. as for the drop pitman arm, i think i understand why the icon kit doesn't have or need one. it is because of the adjustable track bar. most kits have a drop bracket rather than an adjustable track bar. in a sense, i mean when you drop one you need to drop the other. with the adj. track bar and no drop pitman arm, the draglink and the track bar remain with similar angles. it is for steering purposes.

 

Just because items are not included in the kit doesn't mean you don't need them. Although the adj track bar functions as FX4 5.4 mentioned it may give you a piece of mind to include the drop pitman arm. It will help keep the turning radius as factory. For the minimal costs (compared to what your spending) it would be benificial in my opinion. Most info i have researched in the past recommends both drop pitmans and track bar over 3". Will you absolutely need one or the other? possibly not, but again would be worth the piece of mind.

I also agree on the carrier bearing drop. You could easily custom make a shim here.

 

The 4.5" lift kit and 35" tires is an excellent combination. You should not need to re-gear with that PSD engine. What gears do you have now... 3.73? As for the drop pitman arm (DPA), I do not believe that Icon offers one for the 4.5" lift kit. Icon does provide one for the 7"-9" lift kit. You may be able to use the DPA from the 7"-9" kit along with the adjustable track bar provided with the 4.5" lift kit. I would contact Icon to determine if the DPA is available seperately. Icon does offer the 7"-9" Box Kit for $565.00. Also, Icon offers a carrier bearing drop kit for $52.00.


Here is the Icon 4.5" lift kit:
http://www.iconvehicledynamics.org/c...products_id=46






Here is the Icon 7" lift kit:
http://www.iconvehicledynamics.org/c...products_id=47





Icon 7"-9" Box Kit:
http://www.iconvehicledynamics.org/c...roducts_id=258




Icon Carrier Bearing Drop (Shim) Kit:
http://www.iconvehicledynamics.org/c...roducts_id=108

 

Thanks guys. I do have 3.73s in there now. I was able to locate a DPA from Pro Comp through Top Gun Customz for a 3-6" lift here: http://www.topguncustomz.com/Store/G...view=210149136 I'm getting cold feet about doing a lift. I'm worried about the overall cost of this. I'm looking at about $2000 for the kit and the DPA and carrier bearing drop, then the dual steering stabilizer, then to top it off paying someone to install it all. Then I still need tires!!!! I'm also worried about getting something like a bad driveline vibration or something crazy like that. I just want 35s. I've got some thinking to do.

 

You can accomplish your goals for a lot less money...

2.25" Bilstein Leveling Kit - $385.00
http://www.shockwarehouse.com/site/p...its--2-springs)



5100 Rear Shocks - $75.70 Each
http://www.shockwarehouse.com/site/p...ad-Racing-Unit



Icon 2.5" Leveling Kit - $825.00
http://www.iconvehicledynamics.org/c...products_id=45



Icon 6" Rear Block - $150.00 (Optional - to keep rake)
http://www.iconvehicledynamics.org/c...roducts_id=134



Icon U-Bolts - $80.00 (Optional - to keep rake)
http://www.iconvehicledynamics.org/c...roducts_id=300




You would have $900.00 in the Bilstein front springs, Bilstein front & rear shocks, Icon blocks and U-bolts. You would have $1,050.00 in the Icon front springs, Icon front & rear shocks, and Icon blocks and U-bolts. You can sell your F350 OEM rear blocks for probably $50.00. That sill give you a 2.25"-2.5" front lift and a 2.25" rear lift, which is enough to accomodate 35" tires. I assumed that you wanted to keep the OEM rake of the truck. If you like it level, then you don't need the rear blocks and U-bolts which reduces the proces by $230.00. That $550.00 for the Bilstein kit and $825.00 for the Icon kit.

 

I'm thinking the Icon 2.5" kit is the way that I'm going. Now I just need to figure out what sieze tires will fit best.

 

If you want to see actual pics of the 2.5" lift with 35" tires, you can go to the "trucktoyz install" at the link below. Just enter the desired filter criteria and click search.

http://trucktoyzperformance.com/realm/gallery.htm


Example: 2005 F250 - 2.5" Icon Lift - 18" Wheels - 35" Tires

 

Example - 2005 F250 - 2.5" Daystar Lift - 20" Wheels - 35" Tires



The larger (20") wheels really make a difference in the appearance of the overall lift package.

 

I've been living on Truck ToyZ. The only thing that don't show is the massive rubbing lol. That first pic is my exact truck. Wish it had the stock bumper on it, so I can see how close the tires are.

 

Also, do the Icon shocks resist rust? What about Bilsetins? The dual steering stabilizer I want to get has Bilsetiens and then of course the Icon kit has the Icon shocks. I just want to make sure they won't rust up too badly in New England winters.

 

I believe that both the Icon and the Bistein 5100 series shocks have a zinc coating for rust protection.