Ok I've got a question thats a little stupid and something I proably should know. Im thinking about a leveling kit for my truck.

QUESTIONS
1.) Is it something for the front end or the all the way around the truck?

2.) I heard this is a great way to lift the truck with out a lift kit. True?

3.) Who makes a good kit with a good price? Tuff Country 2.5?

4.) Cons that go with a leveling kit?

5.) Will there be a noticable power loss with level if I keep the same tires?

Thanks FTE you guys are the best!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

leveling kit is usualy just address' the front end..

i wouldnt call it a lift kit, more of a make the truck look level front to rear kit.

Tuff country is pretty low end in the suspension business, compared to what else is out there..

its only gunna do about 1-2"s of lift, so its not alot of return for the amount of work..

you wont see any difference in your trucks power, with such a small lift. its usualy the bigger tires that go on, that affect a vehicles performance..

 

Do you have a brand that you recomend. I've seen some leveled trucks and really like their looks. Im not looking for big lift just alittle so I thought it would be the best way to go since I heard a leveling kit didnt mess with factory stuff as much.

 

Good info there. My contribution:

The biggest con on a leaf sprung truck is that the typical "cheap" and simple add a leaf makes the front suspension painfully stiff...
The types that retain the stock spring but lower the spring mounting points retain ride quality, but cost a lot more.
With anything but the mini spring pack style, you would need a slightly longer front shock to maintain full downward suspension travel and ride quality.
Any more than 2", and you will feel some bumpsteer and binding unless you address the track bar angle and length.

 

The Donahoe 2" mini spring pack is among the least objectionable sub-$500 setups. Retains stock springs and shocks, does not stiffen ride too much....
http://www.iconvehicledynamics.org/c...products_id=29

Also OK is the Rough Country shackle lift kit.
http://www.roughcountry.com/ford_4wd...y_shackle.html
But you will likely need longer shocks and dropped track bar mount to truly keep stock ride and handling... 2.5" without them starts being objectionable to some folks.

 

Good info thanks guys

 

So 2.5 is too much I should stay more around 2? Or with 2 will I still need longer shocks, sway bars and track bars?

 

Most have reported that with the Donahoe spring pack, you will be quite fine with stock track bar and mounts, pitman arm, and shocks. Since the shock mounts to the top side of the spring pack, the mini spring pack does not require them to extend much over stock. The Donahoe is basically just a spacer block between the spring and axle, but with a wider footprint to minimize typical axle wrap problems with blocks.

With 2" perch lift, I would change shocks. Unlike the mini pack, with the perch lift the shock mount moves the full amount of lift. The add-a-leaf falls in between the two.

And of course, others have done 4" lifts (or even more) without addressing anything and say they can tolerate that... Everybody's definition of how much is too much varies. But I hate harsh riding, ill handling trucks, so I am probably among the most conservative.

My personal opinion is 2.5" on track bar, 1.5" on shock extension.

Oh, I am using F350 blocks in rear with 3.5" taller Tuff Country leaf packs in the front. The truck sits very level and is not too bad of a ride. Not as good as stock, but much better than the add-a-leafs it came with.
I relocated the lower track bar mount, installed a track bar with adjustable length, and changed shocks.
I have a dropped pitman arm, but have not installed it. The handling impact from a 3.5" lift is right on the edge of being noticeable on my truck and I plan to do more mods to drop the nose about an inch.
I'm thinking 4" would be time to address pitman arm.

 

There are no dumb questions !

 

Bull spit!

This one wasn't dumb, but yes there are some stupid questions out there. I always marvel as the human race seems to redefine the depths of stupidity on a daily basis.

 

I just did a leveling kit on a 2001 5.4 f250.
I would only go with a 2 inch because anymore would make it sit nose high. I think they 2.5' and up are more geared towards diesels since they are heavier or 350s with bigger rear blocks.

I went with a Procomp one btw and it rides the same as factory and really improved the look. I am running 35' MT, but they do rub at full-lock.

 

Good quality shocks (and I mean GOOD) can make a huge difference in how a suspension works. Shocks are not the place to scrimp. Unless yours are very new, I suspect you will gain a lot from some good shocks. And many brands make variety of qualities, if you know what I mean.