2wd front lift - Diesel Forum

welder79 · 10-12-2005, 06:46 PM

The truck has always set low in the front and I would like to raise it 1" to 2". What would be a simple way to do so? I have seen the red airbags that go inside the coil...anyone here using them? Just wonder if they would make ruff ride rougher? Also saw some sort of spacer that goes under the spring. Want your opinions here...everybody's!!!!!!

Mr_Roboto · 10-12-2005, 07:04 PM

I use the "inside coil" airbags on my E350 van. They make the ride a little bouncy, but not rough. I like the air bags because they are adjustable, and I can use them to alter the suspension height to change the alignment (camber) setting.

You could also swap in a set of F350 2WD coil springs.

welder79 · 10-12-2005, 08:52 PM

I opted for the heavier springs on a previous truck and there wasn't really any difference to speak of. How high can you rqise the front before a realignment is needed?

Mr_Roboto · 10-12-2005, 10:07 PM

ANY suspension height changes in the Twin I Beam suspension changes camber, and to a lesser amount toe-in.

After I installed my air bags, I turned my caster / camber bushing to pull the ball joint all the way inside, then used the air bags to raise the suspension to get the camber correct (basically the tire straight up and down).

It's really easy to adjust, the bushing is turned by a 1-1/2" socket, after loosening the pinch bolt. You can actually see the spindle move around quite a bit as you turn the bushing.

ClassicFordGuy · 10-12-2005, 11:08 PM

I fabricated a 6" lift on the front of my 79 f100 ranger 2 wheel drive; It had the twin I beam, is that what your truck has?

What I did was I removed the spring perches, I removed the rivets with an air chisel. Then I welded together 3 2x2 inch pieces of steal square tubing .25" thick and put the stack between the frame and the spring perch. I bolted these blocks to the frame and bolted the sping perch to the block in all the places the rivets had held it to the fram. I put the same blocks under the brackets that hold the strut things that locate the I beam front to back. Since I moved the whole spring perch, the spring position and the shock mount as well as the spot the oposing I beam ataches moved down with it, its all connected. Therefore my ride, steering, caster/camber is still all the same. I just had to relocate the brake line bracket. For the back of the truck I just flipped the shackle upsidown and used 3" blocks.

I'm not sure all of this was the right way but they realy don't make kits for 2WD trucks and Im cheap and like to make stuff. I'm planning on building a lift for my 94 f250 turbodiesel 4x4 soon.

Another way you could do it since you don't want to go too high is spring spacers, they're made of polyurithan or something and just fit at the top or botom, I'm not sure, between your spring and the perch to give you 1" or 2" of lift depending on which size you buy. 4wheelparts.com should have em. You will have to adjust your camber as it will be too positive, not sure how far you can go, on my twin I beam truck there were no camber adjustments and thats why I did what I did.

I can send you pics if you like.

-Rob

e444 · 10-12-2005, 11:34 PM

moog cc860 springs gives 13/4 in of lift been on my e350 for 75k miles and still sits good realignment is needed plus springs were only $75 a set

welder79 · 10-13-2005, 08:53 AM

Would like some pics.

Sounds as though I have a few options.....just which way to go?

Anyone else?

agnem · 10-13-2005, 01:51 PM

I'd go with a spring swap. That's your best option.

ClassicFordGuy · 10-13-2005, 09:24 PM

I can either emial you pics or post them on the sight, I have quit a few.

I can't figure out how to post em?

-Rob

welder79 · 10-14-2005, 01:05 PM

Email works for me!

dbarilow · 10-26-2005, 10:55 AM

I know
Fabtech
makes a nice lift kit for our trucks