I recently pulled my 87 F150 4x4 short bed out of storage after being parked for 20 years and I'm in the process of cleaning it up, replacing the gas tanks and getting it running again. The tires are dry rotted and rims are rusty so I need new wheels. It currently had 31x10.50 on 8" chrome wagon wheels. With the tires fully aired up the front end measures about 3" lower than the rear when measured from the top of the wheel openings. I'd like to level it. I already bought Tuff Country 2" radius arm and axle pivot drop brackets. I'm looking at spring options now. I've been reading about the Moog 824 and 844 but I'm not sure if either will give me the at least 2" of extra height I'm looking for. I read the Tuff Country 2" lift springs are extremely harsh so that leaves Rough Country or Skyjacker as my other options. Rough Country states 1 1/2" with just the springs but their lift kit says 2 1/2" with what appears to be the same springs. Where is the extra inch coming from? The drop brackets? Skyjacker's springs are supposed to be 2" of lift. I'm looking to gain at least 2 to 2 1/2" minimum. Which would everyone recommend?

Also, I'd like to run 33x12.50 tires on American Racing 15x10 rims with 4" backspacing. Will this work without rubbing?

 

It IS level. The way Ford designed & built it is the definition of level. That's the way it's supposed to ride. Until you're a better engineer than Ford hires, just trust them.

 

If it’s level with no load in it, it will be doing the Carolina squat if you put something in the bed. But that being said I lifted mine two inches but still have a rake from front to back That way it doesn’t squat when I put something in the bed.

 

I think I had skyjacker coils on my 1993. I eventually went with a Rancho 4" lift after like 12 years. ha

Truck sat pretty level from what I remember. That's what we used back in the day to fit 32's and 33's. I ran 32's for years. 15x8 but don't know the offset.

I don't think you can get away with much more than the average product availability, meaning if you are finding a 2" coil, that's all that will work before you screw up the geometry too much.
You will need new camber adjusters. IF your model year used the camber adjusters. I don't know if your year was the same setup as the 92+ were.

I think a 15x10 will be too wide. Check the tire manufacturer site for approved widths for the tire you want. Even if approved, I think it will look out of place. Sorry I can't tell you what backspacing will work (been too many years since those trucks were current in my mind)

Measure from the hub to fender lip instead of fender to ground.

 

That's fine if you like the feel of going downhill most of the time when no heavy cargo exists.

 

i already have the 2" drop brackets for the radius arms and axle pivots so that shtold bring the geometry back into shape. I've ran 33x12.50 tires on 10" wide rims for years on my other trucks with zero issues. I honestly think they look funny if they're mounted on narrower rims.

This truck is more of a toy and cruiser than a work truck. I have a F350 4x4 that i use for hauling stuff and pulling trailers so the most this one will ever haul is groceries. I'm not worried about how it will sit loaded because I never haul anything with it.

Right now I'm looking at Pro Comp 24212 springs. They seem to get pretty good reviews and most claim they raised the front 2". I like the coil design on those better than the skyjacker springs too.

 

I’m not sure what you have seen, but I’ve never seen a vehicle that looks like it’s going downhill without a heavy cargo in the back. I have seen vehicles that look like they’re popping a wheelie because they’re towing something and have the improper rake.

 

I like the feeling of seeing more ROAD over the hood, and less sky. I like the feeling of the caster angle being close to what Ford/Dana designed it to be. I like the feeling of spending time & money on things that actually maintain or improve my vehicles.

 

I put F250 springs in the front of mine. I read somewhere that that will level it up and I think it did. I also changed the camber adjusters. Everything else is stock.

 

Depends how often he will be carrying very heavy loads.If he is carrying over the rated payload, yes the truck will sag excessively in the rear. I would not make suspension changes while upsetting vehicle geometry just for an occasional heavy load to carry That would account for just a small percentage of the time.
.I have carried up to the rated payload in my 87 F150 and the rear sags just a little with the stock springs.