level kit vs. level kit vs. lift kit - Diesel Forum

citus23 · 07-13-2008, 10:19 AM

So I have been looking to lift my truck a little (mostly for looks) and have been wondering if I should go with just a 2.5" level kit or a 4" lift kit.
Here is my situation. I travel around the country pulling a 27' toy hauler that i live out of for work. I am planning on putting some 22" rims and 35" tall tires over my stock 20" rims and 33" tall tires. I have been given good advice on changing my gearing to either a 4.10 or 4.30, but my question is more towards the level vs. the lift.
I know that there is a system made by "Ready Lift" that uses stock hardware i.e. spring and shocks, but replaces track bar bracket. It also includes a spacer to correct the pinion angle.
Basically what they are saying is "ReadyLift Suspension Inc. has engineered the perfect 2.5” lift kit for your 2008-2009 Ford F250 4WD Super Duty."
I have also seen that Icon Dynamics sells 2.5" kit that replaces the stock hardware, but says nothing about the track bar or spacer for the pinion angle.
I am conflicted because the Ready lift system says it is ready to go out of the box, you would just have to replace the coil springs and shocks. Where as the Icon Dynamics comes with Bilstein shocks and aftermarket coil springs.
Now the lift kit. If I am going to put my truck higher than stock height should I just go with a good 4" lift kit instead of a level kik, or would a 4" system not be good for towing?
What to do?
Thanks for the help

2008 F250 6.4 King Ranch 4x4 crew cab short bed tow vehicle with a 27' toy hauler GVW 11,062

bigdawgkp · 07-13-2008, 11:00 AM

So if you are traveling around the country pulling your rig with this truck for work, why would you want to lift it unless you plan on going offroad. I would level it. The leveling kit is much cheaper and the toy hauler won't need to be modified.

RRose · 07-13-2008, 11:55 AM

I am running the Icon 2.5 kit on my truck..... and I have a ton to say on the topic!

I don't think you can buy a better 2.5" kit for the truck than a Icon kit. It rides better than stock. It does come with two alignment cams for the ball joint. It was very easy to install.

You don't have to order it with the Bilstien shocks.... you can run any shocks you want with it. I am running 8" Fox shocks on my truck... and you can adjust the pressure in them to suit. If you do want to go with an 8" shock from Fox/King/Sway-Away... make sure to purchase the Icon shock upper mount.... it allows you to go from a pin type shock to a regular bolt through shock. I recommend the Icon mount... because I have tried the rest.... and the Icon one allows the shock to sit the highest of them all... giving you max wheel travel. This is the ultimate setup.... I love the way my truck rides!

I am running 35" Toyo's on my truck with no issues.

I also tow.... I haven't done anything to the back of my truck other than Firestone Airbags.... (I need to get the fox shocks for the rear).

I tow a 37' 5er.... and I love having my truck at stock height in the rear.

My last truck I put the Donahoe 4" kit on and the f-350 block in the rear.... and it worked fine.... but I'm much happier with the truck only leveled now... its still pretty high.

One thing to think about with that wheel/tire combo you are talking about.... will a full size spare fit under the bed? I wouldn't go without a full size spare again! Its a pain in the ass if you get a rear flat! You have to swap a front into the rear and run your smaller spare in the front.

citus23 · 07-13-2008, 01:09 PM

With the wnna heel and tire combo I was plannin on buying I was planning on getting 5 wheels and tires and keeping the spare in the bed of the truck either with a tailgate spare holder or an in bed holder. I am not sure as to which one though, i still need to do a little more research on them.

citus23 · 07-13-2008, 01:12 PM

I also wanted to ask about my computer with this upgrade. Going with the larget diameter tire I know I am going to have some differences in speed and distance when it comes to the odometer. Should I bring it into the dealership to have them program it for the larger tires, or should I get a programmer and do it myself? And if I get a programmer which one? I have been waiting for the complete Banks sytem to come out so I can buy it all in one package.

dt75flh · 07-13-2008, 01:16 PM

If you want cheap.....I'm running a 2.5 in level kit...also running STOCK rancho shocks from a stock fx4. unless you baja the truck the stock front shocks have enough travel. I put the kit on in the driveway took about 2 hours and thats jacking the truck up...actuall install time about 45 min...the tow was checked and I didn't even need to adjust the steering wheel the alignment was good.....

my prior 02 f-350 had a 4" kit and 35" tires

this truck w/ level kit and 35" tires . I like the stock height in the rear and it still looks big .....but I need the bed height stock due to towing a 38' toy hauler fifth wheel and occasional 14' goose neck dump trailer...keeping the rear stock makes your truck a little more flexible in my book

dt75flh · 07-13-2008, 01:30 PM

The dealership can only program the stock height of gear ratios that were availble for that model truck...eg since you can get a f-350 with 4.30 gears if you swapped out to 4.10 or 4.30 they could adjust the computer.....

I have a full size pic posted of my truck with the level kit on in the my pics section

the edge insight gauge that i have gives me the correct speed.....you can also take a small hand held gps and ck your ground speed relative to your rpms and see how far off your speedo is until you put the banks kit on....thats what i used till i swapped out the gears

citus23 · 07-13-2008, 01:40 PM

when you say keep the rear of the truck at stock height you mean dont put the block kit, just replace the schocks?

dt75flh · 07-13-2008, 02:09 PM

ok I just reread your first post..you have a f-250?...

if im not mistaken the f-250 stock rear block height is 2" and the f-350 block is 3 1/2" tall.....

yes when I put on my level kit I didnt touch the rear at all...it just a 2.5 " poly spacer on top of the front coil spring. i did obtain a set of 4 rancho shocks from a guy who lifted his f-350 FX-4 (they are stock on the fx-4 package) so i swapped all 4 of my shocks ....

by not changing out anyhting in the rear my bed rail height is the same as a stock f-350 which makes it easy when towing my toyhauler

mattmeyer05 · 07-13-2008, 08:28 PM

RRose when you say the Icon kit was easy to install...How easy. I ordered it and I don't want to tear into the truck and than have to put it back together and have someone else do it. Are there any special tools I'll need to put it on?

**Overkill** · 07-14-2008, 11:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by citus23

So I have been looking to lift my truck a little (mostly for looks) and have been wondering if I should go with just a 2.5" level kit or a 4" lift kit.
Here is my situation. I travel around the country pulling a 27' toy hauler that i live out of for work. I am planning on putting some 22" rims and 35" tall tires over my stock 20" rims and 33" tall tires. I have been given good advice on changing my gearing to either a 4.10 or 4.30, but my question is more towards the level vs. the lift.
I know that there is a system made by "Ready Lift" that uses stock hardware i.e. spring and shocks, but replaces track bar bracket. It also includes a spacer to correct the pinion angle.
Basically what they are saying is "ReadyLift Suspension Inc. has engineered the perfect 2.5” lift kit for your 2008-2009 Ford F250 4WD Super Duty."
I have also seen that Icon Dynamics sells 2.5" kit that replaces the stock hardware, but says nothing about the track bar or spacer for the pinion angle.
I am conflicted because the Ready lift system says it is ready to go out of the box, you would just have to replace the coil springs and shocks. Where as the Icon Dynamics comes with Bilstein shocks and aftermarket coil springs.
Now the lift kit. If I am going to put my truck higher than stock height should I just go with a good 4" lift kit instead of a level kik, or would a 4" system not be good for towing?
What to do?
Thanks for the help

2008 F250 6.4 King Ranch 4x4 crew cab short bed tow vehicle with a 27' toy hauler GVW 11,062

If you plan on running 35s on 22" wheels your tire selection will be somewhat limited. (Nitto Terra Grapplers, Nitto Dune Grapplers, Kumho Road Venture AT, Toyo Open Country AT). If you select a 22x9 wheel with 5"-6" backspacing this combination will clear under a 2.5" system. If you opt for a 22x10 to 11 with 4.5" backspacing I would recommend going with a 4.5" system.

Now, not all “leveling kits” are created equal. Where spacer kits such as that by Ready Lift provide a level appearance, a coil system such as that by Icon or Bilstein BTS actually improve ride quality and performance. These systems incorporate specifically tailored spring rates and shock valving in order to provide the best possible performance both on and off-road. These systems are also backed by a lifetime warranty. For F250 applications we recommend adding 4" rear blocks and u-bolts in order to achieve a level stance.

The 4.5" systems (Icon or CST) will provide greater tire clearance and will allow for more aggressive driving on and off-road. These systems also provide improved ride quality and performance. Load and towing capacity remains unaffected. Here are a couple of examples:

2.5" System on 35s

4.5" System on 35s

See here for more information on these and other suspension systems:

2008 F250/F350 SRW 4wd - Truck Toyz Store

Let me know if you have any questions.

citus23 · 07-14-2008, 08:48 PM

Overkill
After reading your information, I am very interested in getting the 4.5" system. I would very much like to have it installed by the 24th of this month, and was wondering if it would be possible to order it have it shipped out and installed by then. Also with the rims that I would like to go with. They are a 22x9.5 rim by Chip Foose. I have center locking hubs and was wondering if they would effect my decision on those rims.

**Overkill** · 07-16-2008, 11:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by citus23

Overkill
After reading your information, I am very interested in getting the 4.5" system. I would very much like to have it installed by the 24th of this month, and was wondering if it would be possible to order it have it shipped out and installed by then. Also with the rims that I would like to go with. They are a 22x9.5 rim by Chip Foose. I have center locking hubs and was wondering if they would effect my decision on those rims.

Everything is stock and can ship out today. We are also running a 10% off special this month on all complete Icon suspension systems. We can also get you a quote on the Foose wheels. Feel free to contact me for more information. Thanks

RRose · 07-16-2008, 07:01 PM

Its the same amount of work to install the Icon 2.5 spring kit as it is to install the 2.5" spacer. It wasn't that difficult.... just get it jacked up high enough and get jack stands under it. It took me about an hour and a half to get it together... no special tools.

Quote:

Originally Posted by mattmeyer05

RRose when you say the Icon kit was easy to install...How easy. I ordered it and I don't want to tear into the truck and than have to put it back together and have someone else do it. Are there any special tools I'll need to put it on?