New to the site but ive read alot of threads and everyone has some great advice. So here is my question. I just bought a 2010 FX4 and i want to either lift or level it. I like the idea of the level kit because its inexpensive but a few people have told me that the level kits tend to wear on the bearings on the front end. Not to mention cost a lot to repair. I love the lift kit idea as well, i just hate spending that type of money on a brand new truck (now a week old) not to mention tires and rims and posssibly instalation. Any suggestions or advice is greatly appreciated and if you guys are vendors or know vendors leave me some advice and what not. Thanks again for reading, ill have pics up soon of my truck with a few things ive done to it already.

 

i know alot of people with leveling kits and ive never heard a complaint, you could always do a bodylift...theyre a pain in the *** but still cheaper than a suspension lift.

 

I had a body lift on my last 150 and it was a pain in the neck to put on! Plus the only body kit i found available for the 2010 is around $650.. i think id be more willing for fork out the rest of the money and get a true lift kit. Just my opinion..... but getting back to the level kits, what company did your friends go with? and do you know anyone with a 2010 that has the level kit??

 

$650 for a body lift...**** i paid $175 for my '02 anyways, alot of ppl on here have them but on 2010s im not sure...im surprised no one has chimed in on here yet about leveling kits..do you have torsion bars or coils?

 

Thats kind of expensive for a body lift. I paid $325 for my 06. W/ a quick search through google, I found a Performance Accessories Body lift for 2010 f150, $460.

http://www.suspensionconnection.com/...body-lift.html

They are a pain in the *** to install, I agree. I paid someone $700 to install mine, over 2 days. I wish I had went w/ a true suspension kit instead, but I was already out $2k for my Mickey Thompsons so a body lift was cheaper than a susp kit. I bet you could find someone trying to go back to stock rims/tires and dump off their aftermarkets, might be a cheap way to upgrade for you.

As for level kits, I installed the Rancho QuickLift RS9000xl in the front, and matching RS9000xl in the rear. If you go w/ a spacer leveling kit, do not go w/ a 3"". This is how it wears/tears on the ball joints more. But even if you had to change them, its just as the strut/level kit install, plus removing 2 extra bolts for the UCA (bj 1 piece together). And the lower BJ is simply removing the knuckle off the joint and pressing it out the LCA. Just my $.02 though, and that doesn't buy much at all these days.

 

I would say to go with the level kit but use bilstein 5100 adjustables. there's a few articles on hear about people doing it with your year and when they upload pics its pretty sweet. plus you avoid possible accelerated wear from spacers

 

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The 5100s perform the same action as a leveling kit with coilover spacers. Either way, the lengthened overall coilover length creates more severe angles than stock for the ball joints and CV shafts.

 

OP, I think it all boils down to the cash you are willing to part with. When you lift your truck, stuff is going to wear faster. There are some suspension lifts, which, like a leveling kit, will allow you to still use the factory rims, this is a big money saver if you like your stockers. A 4-6" Suspension UCA Drop Lift and a 2-3" "leveling" suspension lift will actually both allow the use of the same size tire (35x12.50). The drop kits just enable you to run aftermarket rims with less backspacing without rubbing (resulting in a wider stance), give you the extra inches of height, and may be easier on your ball joints and worse on your CV shafts.

Body lifts have their advantages, but I would never put one on instead of a $60 leveling kit.

 

TRuck has coils and no torsion bars, but back to the body lift idea.. if you start to add number we are back to the $650 price.. body lift is $458.99 plus the gap guards $85.45 then there shipping and handling.. shipping is $33.00 so we are at the $570.. the labor charge because i have no time literally to install... So i think im better off with the suspension lift. I like the 4 and 6 inch lifts just not sure what one is going to be best.. I have read horror stories of the pro CRAP systems.. Any suggestion?

 

you have yourself a brand new fx4. theres not many out there right now, whatever you do, do it right and right the first time. dont waste your time or money halfassing it. keep your truck looking nice and people will continue to look, just my thought