Mild Lift Recommendations

[Grogan14]

Hi all,

I've just gotten myself the pictured '89 2.9 XLT 4x4. The truck's got 150,000 miles on it, but very little rust - at least by New England standards. I'm looking to make this a reliable daily driver.

I'm looking for some ideas on what I should do with the suspension. The truck's sitting just about level right now, with the weight of the cap and a few tools in the bed. I'm guessing the springs are the originals, though not certain on that.

As well as using this for daily stuff, we'd like to be able to load this up with camping and fishing gear on the weekends. I've never done any real off-roading as yet, but I wouldn't mind being able to get into some less-frequented areas, and maybe with my little bass rig in tow. Also, will be hauling my 5x8 trailer on occasion - say 1200 lbs. or so total.

I'd like the truck level, and maybe 2 inches or so higher. I had been thinking lift shackles and front spacers, but now I'm thinking new springs might be in order. Don't want to spend a ton right now, but the price of Skyjacker lift coils and rear springs don't seem unreasonable. How would the ride compare to stock springs, or say add-a-leafs? I drive a 2wd 3/4-ton Ram with the 1-ton rear, so I guess I'm used to somewhat stiff anyway. Other options?

Thanks for any input!

 

[86ford]

get used explorer front and rear springs. see how that does for you. that mite get you what your looking for. just make shure the TTB front end can be aligned if you add springs and spacers. the explorer springs in the front will be OK (as far as alignment goes) but if you start adding spacers use the washers recommended in the tech library so you can ajust enough to keep your camber in spec. and get optimal lift. explorer rear springs are easy enough and offer up to 2 inches of lift.

86

 

[Will]

My opinion is--there is no easy suspension lift. If you want a couple inches, get a body lift.

You want a reliable daily driver, don't mess with the suspension. Once you do anything at all to it you will actually have to learn about Ford TTB. If you do try and lift the suspension you'll be angry a lot if you don't take the time to learn about it. I don't say this lightly, I've spent many years watching alignment and handling complaints scroll down the screen.

All you want is 2"--get a body lift. it will look the same and you will never have to meet 4x4junkie in the boards anywhere.

 

[whitebassbenny]

id personaly do the F150 spacers up front and the AAL in the rear. the reason is new coils up front take a long time to settle and the rear id do the AAL. the reason is for the AAL is b/c the suspension is prolly wore alittle id stiffen it up if your gonna add weight to it. then if that did not work id fo the shackles over stacking blocks and mabye some axle wrap from what i was told. but if you don't drive it a ton id do the coils over the spacers but it's gonna take a long time for them to settle down or like said above you could do the explorer springs b/c they will be already settled for you.


but thats just me.

 

[mudcrazy]

x2 if thats all your wanting to do is a couple inches than the easier way is to do a body lift.

 

[fordboi415]

coil spacers or just get custom coils that give you the exact lift your looking for, you can pick some up for around 100 bucks from a company called suspension max they were like 109 after tax and shipping they are in anaheim california, body lifts can do damage to the body after extended periods of time and they look like crap but thats just a personal opinion

 

[Mud Buggy]

ive never installed a body lift, so i don't know how hard or simple that job is. i have install kits, leveling springs, shackles, and the like. my opinion in a good set of leveling coils (appox 2" lift) or spacers (f-150 spacers or washers...washers might be best here), and bell tech shackles or add-a-leaves for the rear. the shackles run approx $65 and you can get them from summit. you might look at the tech library...there are some walk-throughs on these ideas so you can get an idea of what your getting into before you start.

MB

 

[bobbywalter]

a body lift on a rust belt truck of that vintage would be a train wreck.



any lift will be a bitch. to level it washers are the most cost effective way.

 

[Grogan14]

The truck's only been up a year from Kentucky, and has very little rust.

I've currently got the bed off, as I just wire-brushed and painted the frame, so my thought was to do something with the suspension before I go to putting it back on, but it's cooling off here quick, and I may put it off until next year. I'm working on the truck outside.

I appreciate all the input. Right now, I'm leaning towards either Explorer springs, or maybe add-a-leafs, to give me some more hauling capacity, after all the suggestions.