madjacks

So I've been reading and doing lots of research on the rough country 2.5 leveling kit. I want to put 35/12.50r20 on my 2009 FX4 and they claim to have the answers. Sooo.. I went with rough country since they say that their kit installs easily and without use of strut compressors.

As soon as the kit arrives I read through the instruction and gather the tools on the list and get to work. Well the work didn't last long because the tool list was inaccurate so I was off to the store to get that oddball 30mm socket I'll probably never use again. But anyhow, back to work and following the direction I finally get the strut out and the leveler installed. Now here is where the trouble starts. RC claims that the strut will reinstall with ease, WRONG! there is nowhere near enough room for this to go back in. The LCA won't drop far enough. So I tried to use a pry bar first without success, next I tied strut compressors but with the upper tower I couldnt get an even pull. Then I come back to do more searches and finally find that some other companies suggest using a bottle jack while other DIY'ers say they removed the two bolt and dropped the LCA to get the job done. I elected to try the bottle jack first and luckily it worked to for me. Just had to remove both brake line brackets per side. Way better than removing the LCA.

Also, I could fit the 35's with minor trimming using aftermarket 20x10 wheels with about a 6" backspace. The tires I chose were the Federal Couragia M/T, pretty aggressive lugs. The ride is not bad at all so I guess my only complaint with rough country is that they should update their tool list (there were other wrong size tools besides what i mentioned already) and also the installation directions for the '09 and up f150. Otherwise looks to be a good product.

Sorry for the excess babbling!

MT-Ford

Lets see some pictures now after all that work.

Slussier22

iTrader: (1)

Idk if its diff but i had a RC on my 2005 and had no problems instaling it

MT-Ford

Way easier install on a 2005. There us a cradle on the LCA that you have to get the bottom of of the strut up into on the 2009's and up.

madjacks

I'll try and get some good pics taken and on tomorrow.

I ASSume the instruction were originally for the '04-'08 models and they just never modified em. Just always try to research and soak in all info needed before I jump into a project.

Stenz

When I installed my HBS kit it called for a 30mm that I never used. I used a 27mm on the opposite side of the 30mm and used a breaker bar to get it lose.

I used a BMF pair of channel locks to hold the 30mm nut still when I needed it to.

When installing these kits sometimes you have to use a little ingenuity.

Fx4wheelin

I would interested to know how long it would have taken if u had everything in front of u. I want to install this kit. Get pics up

madjacks

The first side took me a 4 hours, having to run to the store twice in mid-project. But the second side took about 30 min.

madjacks

Yes you do!

bossman15

To those going to attempt this you can also disconnect the cv axle from the hub which will allow the knuckle and lca to drop down far enough. Very relieving to figure out after spending hours scratching my head and punching walls lol.