Leveling kit for F-250...need some advice

[nrh6.7]

For anyone that has raised their truck's front end, I need some suggestions on the best way to raise mine between 1.5-2". It has been a couple trucks ago that I installed a leveling kit and I remember the reduced amount of travel and the suspension not having as much down stroke before bottoming out. Now that was also on an independent front suspension, and this one is going on my 2011 F-250 so that shouldn't be an issue.

I've already changed the rear 3" blocks with 4" blocks. I want to bring up the front to give me more room for offroading but to be able to use front chains too.

My though was that I could just buy taller coil spings with the lift built in. Are there any other (better) options out there?

I'll be doing this after hunting season this year, so looking forward to hearing everyone's thoughts.

 

[Squirrels]

can you not turn the torsion (sp) keys? My 1/2 ton chevy is just blocks in back and the front is handled by the keys

 

[colersu22]

It is just some pucks or they make leveling springs that are a little taller, pretty easy to install either way for the most part. I have done a ton of leveling kits at my old job and have had a few on my trucks but both mine had different front suspension than your f250 has. I would go with the leveling springs if it was me vs the pucks.

 

[mathews8pt]

New springs would be the better route to go. Doing shocks at the same time might make sense depending on the mileage on them as well as how much the overall travel is effected by the lift. Check brake lines as well, but you should be ok with just a 2" lift.

 

[2five7]

Pucks will maintain the factory ride quality, replacement springs are usually stiffer. Good time to have it realigned, and possibly replace shocks/ball joints/etc that may need servicing.

 

[nrh6.7]

Thanks for the input so far. I replaced all the front end parts around 20k miles ago, including the springs so shouldn't have any issues there. I do have Bilstein 5100 shocks. Will raising the front a couple inches be a problem for them?

 

[KJH]

I used a rough country leveling kit to bring the front up about 2". Worked great and was semi-easy to do. It was basically a piece with a couple of different shims to get the right height you want.

 

[5MilesBack]

I do have Bilstein 5100 shocks. Will raising the front a couple inches be a problem for them?

On my 2001 F-350 I knew my leaf springs had seen better days when I installed those Bilsteins and there's very little travel room for the shock. The boots push out to one side because they are so compressed at rest.

 

[nrh6.7]

Well, I just ordered the Rough Country 1.5" spacers. Talked to someone there that recommended against the springs if I had a heavy bumper and winch. Plus I replaced my springs recently so hopefully the spacers do the trick. He also didn't think the shocks would be a problem. We'll see. Might actually get this done before I leave.

 

[cuerro viejo]

I personally would only run the progressive leveling or lift springs from Carli or icon. It’s not cheap like the puck but gives you more wheel travel, less rut/pot hole f bombs

 

[4ester]

Thanks for the input so far. I replaced all the front end parts around 20k miles ago, including the springs so shouldn't have any issues there. I do have Bilstein 5100 shocks. Will raising the front a couple inches be a problem for them?

I believe the specs on the Bilstein 5100’s allow for 1-2” leveling kit. I just put them on mine truck thinking I had a broken shock (some clunking in the front). But I believe it’s either ball joints or tie-rod ends now. The old shocks were trashed at 65k though.


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[nrh6.7]

I believe the specs on the Bilstein 5100’s allow for 1-2” leveling kit. I just put them on mine truck thinking I had a broken shock (some clunking in the front). But I believe it’s either ball joints or tie-rod ends now. The old shocks were trashed at 65k though.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

If yours came with the Rancho's...they were DOA on my truck and replaced them asap.

 

[nrh6.7]

I personally would only run the progressive leveling or lift springs from Carli or icon. It’s not cheap like the puck but gives you more wheel travel, less rut/pot hole f bombs

Ok, just looked both of those up and that ain't happening! Whew, those are pricey!!

 

[RAPTOR]

Ok, just looked both of those up and that ain't happening! Whew, those are pricey!!

I'd go Icon as well, but I prefer digressive valving. You get what you pay for. Decreased shock travel, harsher ride, cheap? Then go spacer. If you want to maintain a factory/comfortable ride, spend the money and do coilovers. Do it right, or don't do it at all. My opinion.

 

[nrh6.7]

I'd go Icon as well, but I prefer digressive valving. You get what you pay for. Decreased shock travel, harsher ride, cheap? Then go spacer. If you want to maintain a factory/comfortable ride, spend the money and do coilovers. Do it right, or don't do it at all. My opinion.

Go big or go home...I'm with you there. However, that would be pretty serious overkill for my needs and I won't put my truck through what'd I have to to get my moneys worth out of coilovers. Maybe some day on a dedicated off roader.

 

[mtmuley]

I have a leveling kit in the front, and airbags in the rear. Works well for what I do. I get a good chuckle out of all the trucks I see with the expensive lifts. Most never leave pavement, and a big truck is a PITA in the mountains. I have an F250 for work. My mountain truck is a GMC 2500, non HD. Way better rug in the hills. mtmuley

 

[nrh6.7]

Agreed. I have a hard enough time getting in a stock height truck. I don't have any issue with someone lifting their truck but it just never made sense to me aside from an inch or two.

 

[mtmuley]

A big lift is a waste of money. An inch or two on a stock truck that is already high is perfect. Big lifted diesels get in my way a lot when the roads where I hunt get snotty. mtmuley

 

[ElkElkGoose]

I have a F150 that I used adjustable Bilsteins to level out the front, no spacers etc to limit travel. Levelled, Improved the ride and increased range of travel. I'm not sure if they have them for 250's but worth a look.