2 inch front leveling kit - before and after
Senior User
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 106
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Nice. I also installed a levelling/lift kit on mine. 2.5 up front and 1 in the rear. Installed Nitto Trail Grapplers 295-65-20's instead of 35/12.50's to avoid rubbing inside and have a heavier weight carrying capacity tire.
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Post Fiend
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 5,158
Likes: 35
From: North of Salt Lake City
Your truck looks awesome. The levelers and bigger tires make a big difference.
I actually ended up with 315/60/20's. They are just a bit narrower than the 35/12.50 and they appear to have plenty of clearance. I haven't gone off-road yet but I jacked the front tire under the control arm until it fully compressed the front spring. The wheel was at full lock and still there was about 2 inches of clearance at the tightest spot. The tire has a load rating of E so that should be plenty of capability.
I actually ended up with 315/60/20's. They are just a bit narrower than the 35/12.50 and they appear to have plenty of clearance. I haven't gone off-road yet but I jacked the front tire under the control arm until it fully compressed the front spring. The wheel was at full lock and still there was about 2 inches of clearance at the tightest spot. The tire has a load rating of E so that should be plenty of capability.
Posting Guru
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 1,275
Likes: 0
From: Long Island, NY
I couldn't tell any difference in ride after the leveling kit alone. It keeps all the original suspension parts including the shocks so nothing should be affected there. I hear you on the tires though. The tire store inflated them to 80 psi and when I left the shop, I was horrified. The truck bounced and bucked like crazy. So I lowered the pressure to 65 psi on all four and the ride is back to nice again. I actually prefer this ride to the factory Michellins. It just feels more "substantial" like you would expect.
I admit that I am a little concerned about the noise. This is my first set of MT's and there is a noticeable hum. But this has to be balanced with the type of off-road driving that I do. There will be many times where I will need the extra bite so the extra noise is the price to be paid. Don't get me wrong, it's not "loud". It's just noticeable where the factory tires were silent. They sound a bit like BFG AT KO's that are about worn out. Even those make noise as at the end of life.
I admit that I am a little concerned about the noise. This is my first set of MT's and there is a noticeable hum. But this has to be balanced with the type of off-road driving that I do. There will be many times where I will need the extra bite so the extra noise is the price to be paid. Don't get me wrong, it's not "loud". It's just noticeable where the factory tires were silent. They sound a bit like BFG AT KO's that are about worn out. Even those make noise as at the end of life.
I also had the same bounce, but I attributed it to the leveling kit as well. Because for awhile I was running stock 17's on my old truck with the leveling kit and it still hopped all over there place. That is why I am so hesitant with this new truck to change anything. But your pics are def making me want to!
Good luck with that beast. Also, I would suggest rotating every oil change(5K miles), to get them to wear evenly.
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Post Fiend
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 5,158
Likes: 35
From: North of Salt Lake City
Ya they are definitely a great off road tire, that still retains good on road characteristics. They are by far the best looking tire on the market, and really transform the look of your truck! I wish they made the same side wall on a AT tire... I would be all over that in a heart beat. My only complaint would be snow driving. It probably doesn't have as much to do with the tread, as it does with the width. But I wasn't able to plow in 2 wheel drive at all with them on... they just couldnt cut through the snow to get down to the street.
I also had the same bounce, but I attributed it to the leveling kit as well. Because for awhile I was running stock 17's on my old truck with the leveling kit and it still hopped all over there place. That is why I am so hesitant with this new truck to change anything. But your pics are def making me want to!
Good luck with that beast. Also, I would suggest rotating every oil change(5K miles), to get them to wear evenly.
I also had the same bounce, but I attributed it to the leveling kit as well. Because for awhile I was running stock 17's on my old truck with the leveling kit and it still hopped all over there place. That is why I am so hesitant with this new truck to change anything. But your pics are def making me want to!
Good luck with that beast. Also, I would suggest rotating every oil change(5K miles), to get them to wear evenly.
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Post Fiend
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 5,158
Likes: 35
From: North of Salt Lake City
Thanks Rutcutter. It was your leveling kit that helped me make the decision to add one. Funny how those things work out on these forums.
Can't wait to see your winch. That is one thing I definitely have no need for. You must be driving some serious roads to need to winch out.
Can't wait to see your winch. That is one thing I definitely have no need for. You must be driving some serious roads to need to winch out.
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 1,446
Likes: 28
From: Hot Springs
Yea sometime's it gets sloppy and noone around to pull me out Epiccowlick,these heavy trucks sink up quick with no momentum. Only took me one time to get stuck with noone to pull me out to buy one..LOL
Elder User
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 501
Likes: 1
From: Anaheim, CA
I was going to order a kit but decided to run out and measure mine to see how it sits stock (with only 400 miles)...
40 3/8" at the front and 41 1/4" at the rear. So mine isn't too bad front to rear.
Glad I measured before I ordered.
I wonder why mine is within an inch of level where some others are 3" off... will my front end sag as I get more miles on it ??
40 3/8" at the front and 41 1/4" at the rear. So mine isn't too bad front to rear.
Glad I measured before I ordered.
I wonder why mine is within an inch of level where some others are 3" off... will my front end sag as I get more miles on it ??
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Posting Guru
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 1,275
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From: Long Island, NY
Where are you guys measuring from? I always measure from the hub of the wheel to the highest point in the wheel arch. It probably makes no difference, as long as you are consistent.
Epic, are you planning on doing a after market steering stabilizer? I loved the set up on my 06'. Those trucks were notorious for the 'death wobble', and the stabilizer calmed things down tremendously.
Epic, are you planning on doing a after market steering stabilizer? I loved the set up on my 06'. Those trucks were notorious for the 'death wobble', and the stabilizer calmed things down tremendously.
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Post Fiend
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 5,158
Likes: 35
From: North of Salt Lake City
I would love to have more info on steering stabilization. This truck wanders and needs corrective steering input more that I would expect. I just got out of a 2000 Excursion and that was a difficult beast to keep in the lane and though the 2011 is much better, It could be improved. How do I find out more about a tightening up the steering?
Posting Guru
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 1,275
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From: Long Island, NY
I would love to have more info on steering stabilization. This truck wanders and needs corrective steering input more that I would expect. I just got out of a 2000 Excursion and that was a difficult beast to keep in the lane and though the 2011 is much better, It could be improved. How do I find out more about a tightening up the steering?
http://www.rizeind.com/03products/04...cc_ford01.html
Last edited by LaxPlaya21; Jun 15, 2010 at 06:04 PM. Reason: added link
Lead Driver
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 6,600
Likes: 84
So it's good to know I'm not the only one who thinks I'm weaving in the lane with this truck. Although, I think it feels worse than it really is because I've had someone behind me and they said it wasn't as bad as I was reporting. Maybe it's because I've always been a little OCD when it comes to keeping any vehicle as strait as possible in the lane.
Elder User
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 501
Likes: 1
From: Anaheim, CA
I was kinda surprised that the F250 wasn't a little more nose down just to compensate for when loaded...