99FordGuy

Im new to the F150 forums, but not to Ford forums, Im extremely familiar with the Mustang and have done a ton of work from interior to suspension in mine. But one of my friends owns a 1999 F150 XLT 5.4 V8 and wants to do a 3-4" suspension lift, definitely no sort of body lift. I am fairly familiar with what has to be done and I have to tools necessary, but I had a few questions about brands and types:

1. Is there a suspension lift out there that does not require the use of blocks for the rear? Maybe one that offers new leaf springs or add-a-leaf?

(to my knowledge adding blocks to the rear will make the suspension less stable, similar to adding a body lift, but from the suspensions perspective. so are blocks okay or if possible should i avoid lifts with blocks?)

2. What is the best brand to get for durability and ease of install?

3. Since we are just going with a 3-4" lift, are there any other parts needed to make things work correctly?

4. The truck is a DD and is probably only goes off-road about 5% of the time or less, so it would be nice to get a kit that still rides nicely and not rough.

5. Is there any installation issues that I need to know about or problems I might run into during the install? (such as grinding, welding, specialized tools?)

Sorry about all the questions, but I want to do this the right way and not have to do it again or have anything wrong. Thanks for any imput

links, names, part numbers, and pics all help!

99FordGuy

anyone? now i found out she only has about $500 to spend lol, so what is the best 3-4" lift $500?? help please?

4x4wolf

Your not gonna find a kit without a lift block for under $500. Unless you try like Craigslist

99FordGuy

yeah I found that out today, so I guess it looks like we will get a kit with blocks. Which is better: blocks and torsion keys or spacers and add-a-leaf??

So far Ive found a couple of kits from:

Tuff Country:
Torsion Keys and Rear Blocks
http://www.summitracing.com/parts/TFY-22916/

Add-a-leaf and Spring Spacers
http://www.summitracing.com/parts/TFY-22924/

Should we also get new shocks? and/or springs?
Tuff Country suggests these for the Torsion Key and Block lift for the front: http://www.summitracing.com/parts/TFY-61182/
And these for the rear for the Torsion Key and Block lift: http://www.summitracing.com/parts/TFY-61302/

Also is it possible to run a 1" leveling spring spacer kit with these lifts? that would give us a 3" front and 2" rear, because the rear is already a bit higher than the front stock.

Or run the 1" front leveling kit, 2" lift kit, and 1" rear shackle lift

with this combo of 3" do I need to get any kind of driveshaft or steering extension or shackles for the rear?

027lug

if the truck is 4x4 it will have torsion bars, 2WD will have springs...

99FordGuy

yeah its a 1999 F150 XLT 5.4 V8 4x4. I think I've figured everything out, but what style shock does the 99' use: studs or eyelet?

stud shock:
http://www.summitracing.com/parts/TFY-61302/

eyelet shock:
http://www.summitracing.com/parts/TF...Submodel%7cXLT

027lug

stud on all 4 corners

97maroon4x4

Dont even waste your money on the torsion keys. Alls it does is lift your front suspension beyond what it should be and puts a lot of stress on the front end. It will wear out balljoints and stuff a lot quicker. Just crank the stock torsion bars and put in a add a leaf

loudmustang

How much lift will you get by just "cranking up the torsion bars"?

4x4wolf

You can get 2 to 2.5 inches safely