Level Kit Installation?

[Deuce1998]

Purchased a 24 XLT FX4 last week and I love the truck. I'm hoping to install a 2.5 or 3" leveling kit in the next few months, but am curious about a few things. First, what recommendations does everyone have on the leveling kits? I've seen multiple from Ready Lift, RC, Ford Ranger Lifts, etc. But curious if there's one that's superior to the rest. Second, I've reached out for quotes from some off-road stores, and the cost for labor and installation is just a bit more than I'd like, so I'm curious, how difficult is it to properly install one of these kits as someone that isn't extremely experienced with working on vehicles. Is it worth it just to pay the fee to have it installed properly? I do plan on upgrading to 33's on the tires at some point once the level kit is on as well.

Thanks in advance!

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[Arsenall11]

Pretty easy install if you are leveling. I would stay to 2.5 or less on a level, if you are going to do an actual lift that I would suggest a shop doing if you are not comfortable with frame cutting. BDS is working on their 4” lift theirs are excellent. If you are just shooting for 33” tires do the 2.5 pick up front and call it good.

 

[Deuce1998]

Pretty easy install if you are leveling. I would stay to 2.5 or less on a level, if you are going to do an actual lift that I would suggest a shop doing if you are not comfortable with frame cutting. BDS is working on their 4” lift theirs are excellent. If you are just shooting for 33” tires do the 2.5 pick up front and call it good.

Good deal! Do you have any leveling kits that you'd recommend or avoid? I've heard mixed reviews on some of them.

Thank you!

 

[Jason B]

Pretty easy install if you are leveling. I would stay to 2.5 or less on a level, if you are going to do an actual lift that I would suggest a shop doing if you are not comfortable with frame cutting. BDS is working on their 4” lift theirs are excellent. If you are just shooting for 33” tires do the 2.5 pick up front and call it good.

What 'frame cutting'? AFAIK, not cutting is needed, especially for a 2-3" lift. Bigger tires require replacement of the 'crash bars', a simple bolt on procedure.
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[superj]

Frame cutting for a lift? Dude, i need to read more.

 

[Jason B]

Frame cutting for a lift? Dude, i need to read more.

As I said in the post before yours, there's no frame cutting (anymore). People used to cut the crash bars, but it's easier to replace them with the ones I linked.

 

[Arsenall11]

Good deal! Do you have any leveling kits that you'd recommend or avoid? I've heard mixed reviews on some of them.

Thank you!

Look on stage three motor sports, they have two options, Rough Country is inexpensive and I have not seen any issues with their gear. Pretty good instructions on the web site. Around here most shops will install with alignment for around $500.00, if you do it yourself you should be into it from $175.00 -$325.00 based on the spacer you go with.

 

[Arsenall11]

Frame cutting for a lift? Dude, i need to read more.

If you are doing a tru lift with diff drop you have to install a new lower cross member. It’s no different than the F150 installs. I see people speaking of the Rough Country 3.5 as diff drop, not so! There is nothing in the kit nor in the instructions that include the diff drop.

 

[Arsenall11]

As I said in the post before yours, there's no frame cutting (anymore). People used to cut the crash bars, but it's easier to replace them with the ones I linked.

Frame cutting comes with the diff drop, I don’t think their is a true lift out, I know BDS is working on for the new cross member now. Here is a pic of my F150 from the front, zoom in and you can see the after market cross member installed to all the front diff to drop.

 

[Fix4Dirt]

Following the thread- will be installing Dobinson next week. Will report back!

 

[superj]

Man, i have been in the jeep world to long. And sports cars/trucks were its lowering. I have seen trucks with the dropped front end spacers but never knee anything, i thought they were just spacers.


I knew the crash bars were replaceable but i still havent actually looked up what crash bars are. My old ranger doesn't have them

 

[Einhander]

Following the thread- will be installing Dobinson next week. Will report back!

looking forward to hearing your report! was debating ordering their kit this week

 

[Jason B]

Man, i have been in the jeep world to long. And sports cars/trucks were its lowering. I have seen trucks with the dropped front end spacers but never knee anything, i thought they were just spacers.


I knew the crash bars were replaceable but i still havent actually looked up what crash bars are. My old ranger doesn't have them

I think the proper term for them is anti-intrusion beams/bars. It's to absorb impact in a crash to help prevent the front wheels being pushed into the cabin.

 

[Alaska Steve]

I’m waiting on the BDS leveling kit (2.5in). I think the coil top-hat lifts are junk and a poor man’s or at least uniformed man’s answer to a quick solution. They will suffer mechanical damage in the long run, IMO.

 

[Arsenall11]

I’m waiting on the BDS leveling kit (2.5in). I think the coil top-hat lifts are junk and a poor man’s or at least uniformed man’s answer to a quick solution. They will suffer mechanical damage in the long run, IMO.

Please inform the poor and uneducated how spacers are far less superior than new coil overs.? Please speak to geometry.

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