I installed a 2.5" block leveling kit on my 2021 F-150 XLT and hate the way it drives on the road. The truck bounces all over the place on city streets. I think I want to install a 3 OR 4" lift with coils & shocks but don't want to drop a ton of money into it. I don't do a ton of challenging off roading. Any suggestions on an afforable options?

 

you may try going with aftermarket UCA's before dropping the money on a new setup. You would need them to accomodate the additional lift anyway.

If i were in your situation it would be either FOX or Eibach for coilovers.

 

what defines a "ton" of money?
Lots of "cheap" options... you did the cheapest and its pure trash.
You want a loaded strut with UCAs and a matching rear.
Don't need lots of lift... just drive a Raptor.

 

After you raised the front did you get the truck aligned? Besides alignment there is no reason why a leveling kit, which does not change the spring travel or rate, would change the feeling.

 

A 3” coil over like a bilstein or fox is going to yield great results.
Dont transition from a cheap spring spacer lift to a cheap suspension lift. Its still going to be a cheap crappy ride feel.
Just spend the $1k on good fronts. Buy matching brand/series rears. The results are pretty good. Its plenty good enough for most peoples mild offroading.
If you're doing the work yourself try the coilovers out first. Then add control arms later if you want them.

 

First off the ride your describing is typical of a stock f150 …pretty sloppy IMO … first thing I did was install Fox coilovers 2 days after I got the truck cus they ride pretty crappy stock IMO …at least on bumpy roads like we have in this cesspool of filth and crime Kalifornicstan … Smooth roads .. the stock ride is great .. Probabaly 8 of 10 trucks never see the dirt these days most are pavement queens ..
All these coilover kits are under 1500 for the complete set on the high end … shop around … I’d Go with Fox 2.0 , Roush Fox kit has 550lb coils and will stop the floating but will ride a little stiffer than the Fox 2.0 with 450 lb coils both great …. the Regular Fox 2.0 are a little soft for my liking but I’m stuck with them now , may change to a 500lb spring not sure yet … Bilstien or Eibach coilovers .. All top notch coilovers .. If you go with a 4” /6” Lift it envolves cutting the frame and the cheaper ones like Rough Country are junk unless you buy their top of the line kit . If you do a full on lift ..Fabtech is great , and RCBS makes a good one as well … neither are cheap but the best IMO .. Good Luck … These trucks are like a boat .. bust out another hundred .. nothing good is cheap .. Buy nice or cry twice ..

 

Where did you end up buying your shocks and coil overs?

 

I put a 2 1/2" level on mine and I love it. Handles well (with the help of a RSB), rides comfortably. My Ram was the same; level kit and RSB made it handle great.