Digem

Hello everyone. I'm new to the site. I have a 1989 F150 lariat, with the inline 6. I am just wanting to level out the front end. Can anyone recommend the best leveling kit out there that will keep the ride quality relatively the same? Also my truck is 2wd and the inline 6 not sure if they make a leveling kit for that.

fltdriver

The easiest, and probably cheapest route to take is getting a set of Moog 824 or 844 springs. I got the 824 as they sit slightly higher and are not as stiff as the 844 making for a better ride. You will also need some adjustable cas/cam bushings (moog K80109), one for each side, to be able to align it. Just pop the old springs out and slide the moogs in, ordering from amazon you can get the springs for 67.99 and the bushings for $~22ea, with free shipping for everything. Total of just over $110. Super simple swap, did it alone in my garage and didn't take very long, I also replaced the shocks while I was there (actually did inner/outer wheel bearing, brakes, upper/lower ball joints, and replaced one of the spindles)

fltdriver

Before


After-I also put on adjustable air shocks in the back so it was sitting up about .5-1" higher because I had 50psi in them.

clarkbre

I would recommend the Moog 824's for leveling. The ride quality remains the same and it gives you the needed height. Heres the before and after on mine:

Digem

clarkbre...did you use the adjustable cas/cam bushings (moog K80109) as well with your springs or did you just use the springs themselves?

clarkbre

So far, I have not used anything because I haven't got an alignment yet. The springs (bought through Jegs for 67.99 shipped, no tax) were the first part of rebuilding my front end. Since installing the springs, I replaced the radius arm and axle pivot bushings with polyurethane, the steering gearbox, shocks and checked the tie rod ends for wear. The only thing left will be having an alignment at which time 4Wheelparts will install the new camber bushings (if needed). While they are also in there, I will probably have them replace the balljoints.


To the eye, the wheels are very vertical with very little toe-in/toe-out. The truck tracks straight and rides very nice while still sitting up a bit higher than stock.

Digem

Why did you replace all those other parts? Was your suspension just shot? Or did you just replace it while you were doing the leveling kit or preventative maintenance?

clarkbre

After 148,000 miles, things tend to wear out. In looking into why my truck wandered all over the road, I found that the bushings, steering box, a broken rivet and other things were all causing the problem. I could have got an alignment after the springs but it would have been for nothing since the truck wandered all over the road.


One other thing I forgot to say is that I also replaced the rivet (per Ford's Service Bulletin) closest to the steering box with a 9/16" grade 8 bolt. This rivet that holds the frame and cross member tight has a tendency to either come loose or shear off. In my case it sheared off and allowed the frame to flex whenever the steering box moved.