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Finally finished reading all 390 pages, wow! So quick back story I had 2013 Nissan Frontier Pro4x with a 2.5” spacer and 2” rear AAL with factory Bilstein struts and shocks. It drove and handled great and had no problems after 120,000 miles with the lift and 100,000 miles on 285/75/16 Mickey Thompson Baja ATZ’s. (Great tire by the way).
I traded it in on my 20 Fx4 SCREW for better camper towing and now I’m looking at lifting / leveling options. So I would like to go about 2.5” in the front and and keep about 3/4 to 1-1/4” rake in the rear but I see lots of mixed opinions about going this high. I also see different results due to probably different engine & factory strut / spring rates. I’ve seen on Rough country’s and Ready-lift’s sites, warnings about not using the 3” and 3.5” kits (respectively) if your center hub to fender lip is greater than 22”. My truck is sitting at about 22-5/8” (+/- 1/8”). My thinking is this would apply to spacer lifts since the advertised lift height should be closely achieved. However on a replacement strut or coil over this will be less relevant since the height would be based on the factory spring & strut that’s being replaced.
I’ve measured several trucks around town and they are almost all are sitting level at about 24-1/2” so I have to assume 2” levels to be the norm. Saw in the Q&A on rough country’s site that they said on an FX4 the 3” loaded N3 strut should net about 2.5” not 3”. I’m kinda leaning toward new struts as I don’t care much for the factory soft suspension but I’m wondering what I would actually gain since I’m a bit high already.
here’s the challenge if you choose to except!
If you have first hand long term good or bad experience with 2.5” or greater lift with struts, coil overs, or spacers with or without new UCA’s on 4wd models please let me know.
Here’s the big one! I would love to know your year measurements. Center hub to fender for consistency. Year, model, engine, lift method, brand, advertised amount or setting and any other options that could effect it (spacers welcome too). Once we get enough info I’ll compile a list and post it back. Maybe we can help make this a bit more predictable for folks in the future.
Everybody likes posting about their truck right! That’s why we’re here.
I’m mostly interested in the following but all are welcome.
Bilstein 5100
Eibach Pro-Truck Struts
Eibach Pro-Truck w/ pro lift springs
Rancho Quick Lift
2” Rough Country loaded N3 struts
3” Rough Country loaded N3 struts.
Curious if anyone has added a 1/2” spacer to any of these as well.
I am currently running the rancho quick lift struts 2.75" and have no issues. i would not add a .5" spacer to them, the angles are borderline right now for the cv axles, I wouldn't push it. I run a 35/12.50/18 mud grappler on stock 18s with a 1.5" BORA wheel spacer, with minimal rubbing,
I recently installed bilstein 6112 at 2inch setting and going to take it in for a alignment on Monday. Has anyone had issues with getting it aligned correctly? it has factory upper control arms..
19 screw 4x4
Last edited by Gray-f150; Oct 29, 2021 at 03:51 AM.
When I leveled my 2017 the only spec that was out was the toe and they had not problem putting that back in spec. Camber and Caster didn't really change.
I recently installed bilstein 6112 at 2inch setting and going to take it in for a alignment on Monday. Has anyone had issues with getting it aligned correctly? it has factory upper control arms..
19 screw 4x4
Worst case with a 2" front suspension lift is that you might need camber correction hardware which is installed in the lower control arm before the wheel alignment procedure.
You won't know until the time of alignment, though, so best have these on hand or perhaps the shop has some in stock where if your truck *doesn't* need camber correction (caster, camber and toe all change when the upper and lower control arms get parked at new angles from a 2" lift). There may still be enough of an adjustment range left in your truck's front suspension.
There have been hundreds of thousands of 13th generation F150s built; no two are exactly alike (you'd be surprised how seemingly sloppy some of the metal formed structures or components can actually be).
2019 Limited 4x4 - Ford/Fox Level with V-Rock Tactical and Cooper AT3 4s
Got the truck new and finally needed tires so decided to level and get new rims on it.
Ford Performance / Fox Level Kit
V-Rock Tactical 20x9 +20mm
Cooper Discoverer AT3 4s 275/60
Only have 100 miles or so and am really happy with the setup. It’s a mild build but a huge improvement over stock. Happy to update as I get some miles on it but overall ride and feel is very good compared to stock. Tires are quiet and looks much better than the factory 22’s on 275/45 Pirelli Scorpions
The brushed finish on the Tactical really compliments the Limited Trim pieces and sets it off from the Black options I was looking at. The tint on them can put off a mild “bronze” look in some light. Really like the effect!
Before After Late Afternoon Closeup of wheels (hard to find real pics of these online) Really like the stance with +20 offset Night Shot Mid Day
Going down the 'reverse level' route starting with removal of rear 4x4 blocks.
I have the T542105 - Ford Performance 1.5-Inch lowering shackles on standby but I'm good with the results as there is some minor rake that I was looking to achieve for towing.
Also changed wheels and tires
From an OEM 275/55R20 20x8.5 +44mm offset to
Voxx Replicas 285/55R20 20x9 +25mm offset
So relatively similar dimensions with a little more poke.
Out with the old:
U-Bolt comparison:
Before Pics:
New Wheels / Tires + Stock Suspension
After Pics - rear block removed (also tonneau cover swapped out for Retrax PRO XR):
I decided to play it safe and try to stay 2.5” or less so I ordered the 2” RC spacer.
Last weekend I put a 2” RC on my wife’s 4Runner and ended up getting 2.5” so we’ll see what happens on my truck. The spacers look well made though the offset design does put the studs at the edge of the spacer. After I install I’ll post before and after height and wheel travel measurements. I’m curious to see how much downward wheel travel I actually loose. (Only lost about 3/4” on the 4Runner)
I also spoke to the Ford tech that did my 4Runner alignment and he said they see a lot of leveled f150s and they normally use the cam bolts from NAPA. I figure I’m going to drop the lower control arm to install my spacers (seems to be the easiest method) so I’ll put the bolts in then, and make it easier for Ford to get the alignment spot on. They did a great job on my 4Runner and it was way out.
To be continued…
1-3/8” tall
If any F150 has greater than 15,000 miles on it, one shouldn't be using any spacer atop an already-worn-out factory damper.
Chuck the spacers and pony up for better, height adjustable (either before or after install - threaded shock bodies are more money) dampers.
Just my .02
I don’t doubt new struts would be a better option and depending on my ride quality with the spacers I will likely get the 5100s eventually. Just figured my trucks basically new and may as well wear out the factory struts. I put 140k on a Nissan with spacers with no problem so I guess we’ll see.
