Dealer Installed Lift Kit
12-03-2017, 12:50 PM
#11
Senior Member
Most cars, especially trucks have a raised rear. This is so when you load it down with cargo/passengers it will not sag.
Leveling is just to raise the front to fit bigger tires. It is a cheaper way to get a meaner look compared to a lift.
What your rep is talking about is likely a new coilover kit. These are expensive and cost 800-1200 bucks alone. But they're ideal for a better ride and especially off roading. And you still need to factor in cost for rear shocks. Another 200-400 bucks depending on brand. Most lift kits just leave that alone and give you a spacer in front that raises it. Higher end ones will replace the coilovers with their own. But you're talking 2500-5000 bucks depending on brand. Figure around another 800-1000 bucks for labor.
Lifts are also better for long term strain on your truck as it keeps the natural geometry with the added parts in the kit. But a level look can leave you with more cash to spend on wheels/tires. 2 level and 34 or 35 inch tires will still make it look like an all new truck.
Leveling is just to raise the front to fit bigger tires. It is a cheaper way to get a meaner look compared to a lift.
What your rep is talking about is likely a new coilover kit. These are expensive and cost 800-1200 bucks alone. But they're ideal for a better ride and especially off roading. And you still need to factor in cost for rear shocks. Another 200-400 bucks depending on brand. Most lift kits just leave that alone and give you a spacer in front that raises it. Higher end ones will replace the coilovers with their own. But you're talking 2500-5000 bucks depending on brand. Figure around another 800-1000 bucks for labor.
Lifts are also better for long term strain on your truck as it keeps the natural geometry with the added parts in the kit. But a level look can leave you with more cash to spend on wheels/tires. 2 level and 34 or 35 inch tires will still make it look like an all new truck.
12-03-2017, 06:46 PM
#12
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Most cars, especially trucks have a raised rear. This is so when you load it down with cargo/passengers it will not sag.
Leveling is just to raise the front to fit bigger tires. It is a cheaper way to get a meaner look compared to a lift.
What your rep is talking about is likely a new coilover kit. These are expensive and cost 800-1200 bucks alone. But they're ideal for a better ride and especially off roading. And you still need to factor in cost for rear shocks. Another 200-400 bucks depending on brand. Most lift kits just leave that alone and give you a spacer in front that raises it. Higher end ones will replace the coilovers with their own. But you're talking 2500-5000 bucks depending on brand. Figure around another 800-1000 bucks for labor.
Lifts are also better for long term strain on your truck as it keeps the natural geometry with the added parts in the kit. But a level look can leave you with more cash to spend on wheels/tires. 2 level and 34 or 35 inch tires will still make it look like an all new truck.
Leveling is just to raise the front to fit bigger tires. It is a cheaper way to get a meaner look compared to a lift.
What your rep is talking about is likely a new coilover kit. These are expensive and cost 800-1200 bucks alone. But they're ideal for a better ride and especially off roading. And you still need to factor in cost for rear shocks. Another 200-400 bucks depending on brand. Most lift kits just leave that alone and give you a spacer in front that raises it. Higher end ones will replace the coilovers with their own. But you're talking 2500-5000 bucks depending on brand. Figure around another 800-1000 bucks for labor.
Lifts are also better for long term strain on your truck as it keeps the natural geometry with the added parts in the kit. But a level look can leave you with more cash to spend on wheels/tires. 2 level and 34 or 35 inch tires will still make it look like an all new truck.
12-03-2017, 07:56 PM
#13
Senior Member
Poke around the forum. It is certainly possible to fit 35s, but usually not without trimming inside the wheel well/fender area. Every truck is different. Dealer likely wants to avoid any trimming.
12-04-2017, 08:39 AM
#14
Senior Member
Personally, I would buy an aftermarket lift and either do it myself or pay someone else you know to do it. It's really not that complicated. Plus, you will save a lot of $...
Warranty is not void when you put a lift. I suggest you read the threads related to this on the forum. To void a warranty, the manufacturer must prove that the modification is the cause of the issue. Lifting a truck will put more stress on suspension components, but will not cause any failure, if done properly. However, the lifespan will be reduced because of the extra stress on the components, but this is long term speaking.
A 0 to 3 inch lift can be done using ''spacers''. This is basically just a metal spacer, it doesn't matter what brand you go with. You can either chose between CNC aluminum or metal. It's about 50-100$ for the parts + the labor.
If you go with a 4'' + lift, you will need more than spacers. A full lift kit costs somewhere around 2-3k$.
PS : You can go up to 34'' on stock height. 35'' is feasible with a lift, depending on how wide you will go.
Warranty is not void when you put a lift. I suggest you read the threads related to this on the forum. To void a warranty, the manufacturer must prove that the modification is the cause of the issue. Lifting a truck will put more stress on suspension components, but will not cause any failure, if done properly. However, the lifespan will be reduced because of the extra stress on the components, but this is long term speaking.
A 0 to 3 inch lift can be done using ''spacers''. This is basically just a metal spacer, it doesn't matter what brand you go with. You can either chose between CNC aluminum or metal. It's about 50-100$ for the parts + the labor.
If you go with a 4'' + lift, you will need more than spacers. A full lift kit costs somewhere around 2-3k$.
PS : You can go up to 34'' on stock height. 35'' is feasible with a lift, depending on how wide you will go.
Last edited by Eduskator; 12-04-2017 at 08:43 AM.
12-04-2017, 03:13 PM
#15
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Personally, I would buy an aftermarket lift and either do it myself or pay someone else you know to do it. It's really not that complicated. Plus, you will save a lot of $...
Warranty is not void when you put a lift. I suggest you read the threads related to this on the forum. To void a warranty, the manufacturer must prove that the modification is the cause of the issue. Lifting a truck will put more stress on suspension components, but will not cause any failure, if done properly. However, the lifespan will be reduced because of the extra stress on the components, but this is long term speaking.
A 0 to 3 inch lift can be done using ''spacers''. This is basically just a metal spacer, it doesn't matter what brand you go with. You can either chose between CNC aluminum or metal. It's about 50-100$ for the parts + the labor.
If you go with a 4'' + lift, you will need more than spacers. A full lift kit costs somewhere around 2-3k$.
PS : You can go up to 34'' on stock height. 35'' is feasible with a lift, depending on how wide you will go.
Warranty is not void when you put a lift. I suggest you read the threads related to this on the forum. To void a warranty, the manufacturer must prove that the modification is the cause of the issue. Lifting a truck will put more stress on suspension components, but will not cause any failure, if done properly. However, the lifespan will be reduced because of the extra stress on the components, but this is long term speaking.
A 0 to 3 inch lift can be done using ''spacers''. This is basically just a metal spacer, it doesn't matter what brand you go with. You can either chose between CNC aluminum or metal. It's about 50-100$ for the parts + the labor.
If you go with a 4'' + lift, you will need more than spacers. A full lift kit costs somewhere around 2-3k$.
PS : You can go up to 34'' on stock height. 35'' is feasible with a lift, depending on how wide you will go.
12-06-2017, 08:38 PM
#16
It's important to understand the difference between raising the truck by "leveling" it, and raising it with a "lift".
Think of it this way: A stock truck has the front axles basically horizontal, parallel to the ground. They're connected to the differential.
If you raise the truck's front by "leveling" it, you are doing so by increasing the height by the struts, either by adding a piece of metal that lengthens your existing struts, or by replacing the entire strut with a brand new coilover that is taller. When you do this, the differential is raised along with everything else, and now the front axles are pointed slightly downward to reach the wheels. Provided you don't level by more than 2 or 2.5" inches, this is generally not a problem. More than 2.5" and now you're "stretching" those and other parts too far, and creating angles on the axles that aren't great. That's why leveling kits are usually only a couple of inches at most.
A "lift" is an entirely different thing. You are still raising the truck (usually 4" or higher), but now you are also lowering the differential back down so that the axles aren't pointed downward at such a steep angle, and they're horizontal again. They do this by adding new parts to your truck (brackets, crossmembers, etc) in between the frame and the differential. Because the lift is so high, they also replace other parts such as the steering knuckles, just for example.
For the rear of the truck, it's simpler. They usually just add a taller lift block in both cases, to raise the rear.
Anyway, just wanted you to understand the difference as you make your choice. A lift and a level are very different.
Neither is necessarily better or worse than the other. It all depends on what you want and your budget.
Think of it this way: A stock truck has the front axles basically horizontal, parallel to the ground. They're connected to the differential.
If you raise the truck's front by "leveling" it, you are doing so by increasing the height by the struts, either by adding a piece of metal that lengthens your existing struts, or by replacing the entire strut with a brand new coilover that is taller. When you do this, the differential is raised along with everything else, and now the front axles are pointed slightly downward to reach the wheels. Provided you don't level by more than 2 or 2.5" inches, this is generally not a problem. More than 2.5" and now you're "stretching" those and other parts too far, and creating angles on the axles that aren't great. That's why leveling kits are usually only a couple of inches at most.
A "lift" is an entirely different thing. You are still raising the truck (usually 4" or higher), but now you are also lowering the differential back down so that the axles aren't pointed downward at such a steep angle, and they're horizontal again. They do this by adding new parts to your truck (brackets, crossmembers, etc) in between the frame and the differential. Because the lift is so high, they also replace other parts such as the steering knuckles, just for example.
For the rear of the truck, it's simpler. They usually just add a taller lift block in both cases, to raise the rear.
Anyway, just wanted you to understand the difference as you make your choice. A lift and a level are very different.
Neither is necessarily better or worse than the other. It all depends on what you want and your budget.
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mrdude108 (02-11-2018)
12-07-2017, 09:34 AM
#17
Senior Member
Correct - you can go up to 34s with stock height. However, it might look odd (big tires with a small gap between fenders and tires), but 34 is not that bad.
Also, if you reach that 34'' diameter using wider tires - instead of higher tires - it might rub. Yes, wider tires increases the diameter of the tire as well.
With a 2'' lift, you should be fine with 35s...What wheel size are you aiming for?
Also, if you reach that 34'' diameter using wider tires - instead of higher tires - it might rub. Yes, wider tires increases the diameter of the tire as well.
With a 2'' lift, you should be fine with 35s...What wheel size are you aiming for?
Last edited by Eduskator; 12-07-2017 at 09:40 AM.
07-14-2021, 07:46 AM
#18
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I’m new to the forum and will start shopping for a new truck. I’m leaning towards a F150 Super Crew with 2.7 EB. I definitely want to go with bigger wheels and have it lifted. My question is...should you go with an aftermarket company to do the lift or is this something that can be done through Ford?