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leveling kit questions

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Old Nov 19, 2017 | 10:46 AM
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Hey guys so as the winter is now here and I'm going to need new tires I was thinking about running a little bit larger. I have seen various leveling kits online and lift kits. What I'm looking to do is, I've seen some 3 and 3.5 leveling kits for the front and I was thinking 3 inch blocks in the rear. Some of the aftermarket kits said a 3.5 would fit on a 2011 f150 ecoboost and another one I looked at said 2009 and up wont fit 3 inch or more without aftermarket control arms. I just want to make sure I am correct before I order. Was trying to possibly get some opinions and maybe even if anyone has any pictures with the leveling kit that they went with, the height and why? Thanks everyone
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Old Nov 19, 2017 | 11:26 AM
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I wouldn’t go any larger than 2-2.5” on the front to maintain longevity of front end components.

Spend some time browsing this thread https://www.f150forum.com/f38/lets-s...-f150s-153547/ to see hundreds of pages of examples of what your options look like.

Last edited by re-fresh; Nov 19, 2017 at 09:57 PM.
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Old Nov 19, 2017 | 11:31 AM
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Agreed.

You’ll destroy all of your front end parts with a 3” level, if you can even bolt things back together.

If you want close to 4”, get a true suspension lift kit. It’ll run a lot more money and is a lot more involved, but it will keep suspension geometry similar to stock and won’t affect the ride.

As stated, with a level spacer, don’t go over 2-2.5” max. Those won’t ruin your front end, but things will definitely stiffen up, moreso with the addition of bigger tires.

The ride quality will change and you’ll lose some mpgs. Just some things to keep in mind.
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Old Nov 19, 2017 | 11:40 AM
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yeah I've had suspension lifts and larger tires on jeeps before but never on a truck. My main reason for not wanting to put a suspension lift on the truck is I love the ride of it. I have bf goodrich all terrains on it now and its super smooth. I'm looking into firestone destination M/T only a little bit larger.
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Old Nov 20, 2017 | 12:10 AM
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the 3 inch kit online calls it a leveling kit that goes over the strut and doesn't require any compression of the springs or removing. Direct bolt in. I assume they mean it goes over the shock tower and basically lifts the truck up kind of like a body lift but basically by making the upper control arm sit higher?
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Old Nov 20, 2017 | 05:57 AM
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Originally Posted by mgaither0
the 3 inch kit online calls it a leveling kit that goes over the strut and doesn't require any compression of the springs or removing. Direct bolt in. I assume they mean it goes over the shock tower and basically lifts the truck up kind of like a body lift but basically by making the upper control arm sit higher?
Your UCA will practically be touching the coil spring. You’ll have no travel at all.

If you’re 4wd, you’ll have issues there too. These trucks really aren’t designed to stick a three inch spacer in there.

Yes, these are spacers that go on top of the coilover. Do yourself and your truck a favor and stick with the 2” level.

If you love the ride, I I’d probably either leave it stock or go with something small like a 1” level.
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Old Nov 20, 2017 | 11:25 AM
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Bilstein, Rancho, or coilover level kits as 2.25 inches are good enough to clear 35s with the right wheel backspacing. Adding a block to a level would defeat the level right?

Go full suspension if you want more than the 2.25 level. I run the Bilstein level shocks and they are awesome. Best cost to performance without jumping to a real lift.
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Old Nov 20, 2017 | 05:09 PM
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If i put 2.25 on the front with 35s would I be able to run 35s on the rear without adding a spacer?
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Old Nov 20, 2017 | 05:19 PM
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I basically want to make the truck sit a little higher and clear a little bigger tires. Add some stance to it
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Old Nov 21, 2017 | 06:21 AM
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Only need the raise the front to clear tires.. the rear is good.
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