When you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a commission. Affiliate programs and affiliations include, but are not limited to, the eBay Partner Network.
Hi, need to get new front shocks for my 2003 f150 and decided to give it a lift while at it. Wondering if anyone has some photos of their lifted rig... I was thinking 2.5"-3" with bilsteins...
Looking for reliable source/vendor.
Wanting a smooth ride and potential of possibly carrying more weight...
There's my truck with a leveling kit and 275/65/R18's. 2" blocks in the rear and front T-bar cranked to no more than 24" from inside hub to bottom of the fender. It's pretty decent as far as the ride goes. It's no Honda Civic, but it rides just as good as any other early 2000's truck and towing hasn't really been affected.
I'll be completely honest with you, I would not run a leveling kit on these trucks. Even at close to 24" hub to fender you're stressing out the front end prematurely. The ride is horrible and you have no travel. If you value the front end of your truck and like not having a blown out suspension I'd recommend either a cheaper suspension lift like rough country or even a body lift if your just going for looks. I've run about ever combo of lift on these trucks and I can say I'll never run another leveling kit, they are horrible.
Edit: body lifts can be done right and look good. Gap guards, raised tow hooks and raised hitch and it's hard to tell.
Last edited by 02_Black_On_White; 08-08-2017 at 06:57 AM.
Imo- unless you are going to be using the truck on a regular basis in an off road environment, i wouldnt waste my money- if you need a tractor to get where you are going- buy a tractor-
Imo- unless you are going to be using the truck on a regular basis in an off road environment, i wouldnt waste my money- if you need a tractor to get where you are going- buy a tractor-
That could be said about any aftermarket modification. Its fun to be different and drive something not everyone has, or can build.
I'll be completely honest with you, I would not run a leveling kit on these trucks. Even at close to 24" hub to fender you're stressing out the front end prematurely. The ride is horrible and you have no travel. If you value the front end of your truck and like not having a blown out suspension I'd recommend either a cheaper suspension lift like rough country or even a body lift if your just going for looks. I've run about ever combo of lift on these trucks and I can say I'll never run another leveling kit, they are horrible.Attachment 529893
Edit: body lifts can be done right and look good. Gap guards, raised tow hooks and raised hitch and it's hard to tell.
Mine rides pretty decently with the level actually... It could just be the shocks, but they're Autozone specials. But, what do I know, I went from a Single Cab 91 Sierra with 3/4 ton springs in the back and torsion bars cranked to cram 33-12.5-16's with square wheel wells. A tractor literally rode nicer than it lol
02 seems to have had problems with cranking the bars, but many, many of these trucks are out there this way without issue.
My torsion bars are adjusted to 24" hub center-to-fender lip, and I added a 1" block in the rear. The ride is surprisingly smooth with the Rancho RS5000 shocks (which will be changed out for Bilstein or Fox when they decide to quit working). The alignment came right in, tire wear is even, and I've seen no detrimental effects since making the change.
I would *not* recommend aftermarket torsion keys. Those allow adjustment above the 24" measurement which *will* eventually cause your front suspension to eat itself.
P.S. I cranked the bars on my '99 to reach level, and drove it 50K miles without a problem.
.
Last edited by OhioLariat; 08-09-2017 at 12:50 PM.
02 seems to have had problems with cranking the bars, but many, many of these trucks are out there this way without issue.
My torsion bars are adjusted to 24" hub center-to-fender lip, and I added a 1" block in the rear. The ride is surprisingly smooth with the Rancho RS5000 shocks (which will be changed out for Bilstein or Fox when they decide to quit working). The alignment came right in, tire wear is even, and I've seen no detrimental effects since making the change.
I would *not* recommend aftermarket torsion keys. Those allow adjustment above the 24" measurement which *will* eventually cause your front suspension to eat itself.
P.S. I cranked the bars on my '99 to reach level, and drove it 50K miles without a problem.
.
Going from leveled to an actual lift with proper angles there is absolutely no comparison. At 24" cv angles are pretty steep they just don't bind yet. I never said I had problems, I just said I wouldn't do it knowing what a real lift rides like. In fact I'll venture to say it's more stressful on the front end than my offset.
Last edited by 02_Black_On_White; 08-09-2017 at 05:33 PM.
08-08-2017, 12:49 AM
2003 fx4 lift options ???
