Leveling Kit not... Level

[INHWMW]

Hey folks. A while back I bought a plastic spacer style leveling kit for my '96 4.0 Supercab. They ended up not fitting super well, and I got taller spring from RC instead. They ride nice, and lifted the front a bit, but it's still not actually level. Now, a good number of years later, I'm much more handy at modifications and general mechanic work. I'm confident I could make the spacers work now to get it closer to level, but I don't know what else I'd need to replace at that point. That's what I have questions about, for people who understand suspension better than me.

If just the front was lifted 3"-4" (which would match the back much better), I'd need taller shocks (I'm guessing 3"-4" taller... but I don't want to assume haha), but after that I don't know. Other suspension parts? Steering? I've read some things about steering getting wacky after lift when you have TTB front, but I don't know what I'd need to replace/modify to remedy that. Friendly suggestions would be appreciated. Thanks.

Oh, I should mention, I'm planning a big suspension rework in the near future. Lots of new bushings, and replacing other things that are worn out. So I'll be in there fixing things anyways.

 

[Uncle Gump]

Buy once...

Cry once.

Sounds to me like you should just buy a proper suspension lift.

 

[INHWMW]

Buy once...

Cry once.

Sounds to me like you should just buy a proper suspension lift.

That would be ideal, of course. But I don’t have the money to spare for that and I already have the spacers lying around. I just wanted to test the waters and see if it’d be possible to make it work.

 

[4x4junkie]

2" above stock is generally regarded as the maximum height you can raise it to before you need a full suspension lift kit that has drop-down brackets for the axle beam pivots & radius arms. If you've already raised it some amount with leveling coil springs, then adding spacers on top of that is not likely to leave enough room for adjustment to be able to properly restore the front wheel alignment. It may still be possible to use a couple washers (shims) as tiny spacers to raise it up in increments until you find where the limits are.

Good quality suspension kits such as Skyjacker I think are starting around $1200 these days (more if you want the extended radius arms, upgraded shocks and/or new leaf springs).

 

[lil_Blue_Ford]

I’ll also say that 2” of lift is about the max for the stock Radius arms. I’m not a fan of the drop brackets for the stock arms. I built the extended arms on my Choptop and on my 88. The 88 was supposed to be a test as it how much it would improve things on a nearly stock vehicle, but it still needs all put back together and that’s going to be a bit. I have welders so it wasn’t a big deal for me to build my own.

 

[INHWMW]

2" above stock is generally regarded as the maximum height you can raise it to before you need a full suspension lift kit that has drop-down brackets for the axle beam pivots & radius arms. If you've already raised it some amount with leveling coil springs, then adding spacers on top of that is not likely to leave enough room for adjustment to be able to properly restore the front wheel alignment. It may still be possible to use a couple washers (shims) as tiny spacers to raise it up in increments until you find where the limits are.

Good quality suspension kits such as Skyjacker I think are starting around $1200 these days (more if you want the extended radius arms, upgraded shocks and/or new leaf springs).

Appreciate the explanation, I’ll likely just wait and go for a proper lift kit later then. Thanks for the help y’all.