I have a Ford f-350 super duty lariat diesel truck which I use as shop truck, toy hauler, plow truck and daily driver in winter. Seven years of plowing and im sure just weight of front end like many other trucks the front end is down a bit and this year I updated my plow to a wider flared wing v-plow which is a bit heavier than my straight blade was. I ordered a 2.5" leveling kit from Summit which is basically a spacer that goes on top of coil spring. Has anyone ever installed these? hard to do? better having shop do it? and should you have a realignment done even though it is a solid axle?
F-350 leveling kit
- Thread starter euphoric1
- Start date
i had one on my half ton truck a couple of years ago.......it was the same style lift, just the spacer. i decided to have someone do it in a little garage in town and he charged me a $100, said it took about an hour a side.........it was a new truck so maybe no rush........i wasn't going to pay $500 to do it otherwise i would've done it myself.........directions that came with mine were pretty easy, and Youtube can always help.......
let me know how it goes or what you decide.
m8man
let me know how it goes or what you decide.
m8man
to be honest you would have been better off adding air bags to the front end, there designed to carry the weight, a lift kit it will make the front end taller, but its not really going to handle the weight any better, maybe even worse!,a s a lot of lift kits are not made to be worked!, there more for show (no bash intended)
I have owned many many vehicles with lift kits, from mild to monster truck(actually was partners with a truck that toured around the world doing monster truck shows)
so I have a little experience with lifted trucks and jeeps and atv's and such!
I have owned many many vehicles with lift kits, from mild to monster truck(actually was partners with a truck that toured around the world doing monster truck shows)
so I have a little experience with lifted trucks and jeeps and atv's and such!
srt20
Active member
Yeah it raises the front. It doesn't do anything for the worn springs though. If its just for show, then do the spacers. But in your case you may want to consider new springs.
Btw raising the front 2.5" will change how the shocks work. You will be closer to topped out. It will ride even worse.
If your front is sagging 2.5" then you need new springs badly.
It will take no more labor to replace springs as it will to install spacers.
Btw raising the front 2.5" will change how the shocks work. You will be closer to topped out. It will ride even worse.
If your front is sagging 2.5" then you need new springs badly.
It will take no more labor to replace springs as it will to install spacers.
all trucks come from the factory with rake built in, so when there at there loaded they have room to get more level or slightly below,
a lot of folks lift the front end, but then when towing or carrying weight in the bed, they be driving up hill all the time LOL
new HD springs will for sure work, but again, adding air bags, you can raise air as needed and lower when NOT to get you a better ride quality
going just HD springs, when there is NO plow on, your going to have a super stiff front end ride quality tot hings, you maybe won;'t enjoy so much!
as the truck already HAD HD srpings from factory,granted older now and not as stiff
but if you need extra heavy duty to allow for the new heavier plow,
that ride will again suffer for sure when no plow is on!
adjustable air bags, are a better FIX here IMO and the costs shouldnl;t be any different than NEW springs!
any GOOD snow plow shop should install them and carry them, making getting them not so difficult either!
a lot of folks lift the front end, but then when towing or carrying weight in the bed, they be driving up hill all the time LOL
new HD springs will for sure work, but again, adding air bags, you can raise air as needed and lower when NOT to get you a better ride quality
going just HD springs, when there is NO plow on, your going to have a super stiff front end ride quality tot hings, you maybe won;'t enjoy so much!
as the truck already HAD HD srpings from factory,granted older now and not as stiff
but if you need extra heavy duty to allow for the new heavier plow,
that ride will again suffer for sure when no plow is on!
adjustable air bags, are a better FIX here IMO and the costs shouldnl;t be any different than NEW springs!
any GOOD snow plow shop should install them and carry them, making getting them not so difficult either!
they can be as simple as these
www.truckspring.com
or like this
Firestone Coil-Rite Air Spring Kit | Front
Firestone 4101 Coil-Rite air springs will help level your vehicle under heavy loads. Fits Ford F-250, F-350 and F-450 trucks. Need help finding the correct air helper spring for your truck or SUV? Call Dave @ 1-800-358-4751 or visit TruckSpring.com.
or like this
Web Hosting by InMotion Hosting
www.sdtrucksprings.com
Thank you everyone for your input, a lot to consider here, I ordered spacers as suggestion from local auto shop, I should be clear the drop is not that severe but its there, I had a f-250 with the 7.3 that had leaf springs that became inverted and the only choice but to replace the springs. The shop owner suggested spacers for my current truck as I too asked about new springs and he said even new springs will end up that way. I had a set of timbrens on I truck I had once and the problem with those was when you were on them it was like riding a flinstone mobile, rode like a rock, I have not considered air bags but will look into them. The plow I bought is just shy of 900 lbs, and the 2.5" spacer would keep it where I want it. I could also put more ballast in back of truck but dont really want to do that either as the truck is heavy already and then with plow. Thank you again everyone I appreciate the input!
just keep in mind with the 2.5 inch spacers that you may need new shocks, or you might risk pulling them apart when suspension flexes(think rocking the truck)
and they do sell HD springs there rated at 3 times or so the weight rating as stock springs they MIGHT sag in time, but it will take a LOT of yrs of having that plow in the front end to do so!
BUT like stated they will also ride like a rock when NO plow is on
air bags are what will allow you to have normal ride NO plow and yet hold plow up, adjustable one's will make you able to fine tune things as well
the cheaper thinner one's can be slipped into the springs pretty easy to be installed
AIR bags are NOT super duty deals or most are not, unless you get into the higher end models, they will hold a 1,000 lbs or so, which is about where you will be with the new plow
and they do sell HD springs there rated at 3 times or so the weight rating as stock springs they MIGHT sag in time, but it will take a LOT of yrs of having that plow in the front end to do so!
BUT like stated they will also ride like a rock when NO plow is on
air bags are what will allow you to have normal ride NO plow and yet hold plow up, adjustable one's will make you able to fine tune things as well
the cheaper thinner one's can be slipped into the springs pretty easy to be installed
AIR bags are NOT super duty deals or most are not, unless you get into the higher end models, they will hold a 1,000 lbs or so, which is about where you will be with the new plow
