raise my front end questions

[copracr]

Hi guys. I recently put brand new leafs on the rear of my truck which raised it and now I have about a foot of wheel well. I only have about half that on the front so i was thinking of getting one of those 2" spacers for the front.

I have 3 concerns:
1. is this a reliable and durable way to level the front end?

2. alignment - i'm certain this will throw off my alignment enough to where i'll have to buy some upper balljoint adjuster things. Anyone know?

3. I'm worried that with my truck being this high I will need to add sway bars to keep my manueverabilty from going to shat. I currently have no sway bars from the factory, can I add some?

Thanks for helping

99 F250 SD 6spd 2wd w/ HD leaf springs in the rear.

[DaveBen]

The upper ball joint has an offset collar that will move the upper ball joint in or out to keep your alignment within specs. You will not have to buy any adjusters. Just remember that the front axle position does not change when you lift your truck, only the truck. If you have to, there are tapered shims that go between the springs and the axle to correct the caster angle, if needed. Most all alignment shops have these due to the large numbers of trucks with kits in them. You can add sway bars, but I don't know who sells them. You might try google "Front end spring shims" and look around.

Dave

[copracr]

Originally Posted by DaveBen

The upper ball joint has an offset collar that will move the upper ball joint in or out to keep your alignment within specs. You will not have to buy any adjusters. Just remember that the front axle position does not change when you lift your truck, only the truck. If you have to, there are tapered shims that go between the springs and the axle to correct the caster angle, if needed. Most all alignment shops have these due to the large numbers of trucks with kits in them. You can add sway bars, but I don't know who sells them. You might try google "Front end spring shims" and look around.

Dave

That might be one way to do it, but I swaer I've replaced those slugs on the upper ball joints because they are keyed to only go in one way from the factory???

[PHXF250]

Originally Posted by copracr

Hi guys. I recently put brand new leafs on the rear of my truck which raised it and now I have about a foot of wheel well. I only have about half that on the front so i was thinking of getting one of those 2" spacers for the front.

I have 2 concerns:
1. is this a reliable and durable way to level the front end?

2. alignment - i'm certain this will throw off my alignment enough to where i'll have to buy some upper balljoint adjuster things. Anyone know?

3. I'm worried that with my truck being this high I will need to add sway bars to keep my manueverabilty from going to shat. I currently have no sway bars from the factory, can I add some?

Thanks for helping

99 F250 SD 6spd 2wd w/ HD leaf springs in the rear.

I'm gonna install my leveling spacers I just bought from Fat Bob's Garage in Ogden UT. They cost me $59.95 shipped to my house. Just received them from UPS today, gonna install them next week.

I replaced the upper and lower Ball Joints on this front end about two weeks ago. Yes there is an eccentric collar around the upper ball joint shafts. You might have to replace these adjustment eccentric with ones that will allow more adjustment. Talk to some alignment shops first.

Us 2wd guys have a twin I-Beam front suspension, When raising the front suspension with spacers or longer springs this changes the angle of the I-Beams, Therefore changing the angle of the spindle, therefore making the Camber to go more positive to the point where it will wear the outside of your tire prematurely. The 4wd Guys have a solid front Axle and front leaf springs and are less affected however also should get aligned after leveling too. The factory collars might not have enough adjustment for the alignment guy to get the Camber to factory specs.

Give Fat Bob a call if you have any questions about installing a leveling kit to your 2wd F250. He will give you the scoop. He's at 801-395-2134 and Fat Bob's Garage - Lift Kits, Leveling Kits and More! Truck Suspension and Performance Products..

I'm doing several minor projects to the F250 right now, Gonna be installing a Vinyl Floor and ripping out the 10 year old carpet and installing a new grill too. Holding off on installing the spacers because I'm about to buy a set of brand new tires and gonna install new outer tie rod ends, install the spacers then get it aligned the new tires. I don't mean to be so anal but tires for these truck are not cheap and I want them to last. I will post my results and some pics.
PHX

[copracr]

Thanks PHXF250, thats what I figured.

[copracr]

Can anyone comment on adding sway bars or if I would even need them?

[PHXF250]

Yes put a sway bar on that truck, I can take some pics of the way mine is mounted if that will help. I don't know why you dont have one, perhaps a previous owner removed it and dident reinstall it? I looked at mine after reading the thread again and thought wow that's weird that guy doesent have a Sway Bay.

For the record I notice my truck corners really good considering how big and heavy it is, no lean even on hard sharp turns. When you raise the front you will need that swaybar more than you already do.

PHX

[copracr]

thanks, if you can show some pics that would be great. do you have rear sway bars too?

[PHXF250]

My Truck has no rear swaybar. I dont think they have them in the rear. I took some pics of the front bar. It's mounted to the frame with two U-Shaped brakets with a bushing and has a link that is at the bottom spring cup. I will be taking more pics when I install the Leveling Kit next week.
PHX

[DaveBen]

Yes, the Camper Special package has rear sway bars. Helwig also makes a kit, here:
Hellwig Products | sway bars | Sway Bars, Air Springs, and Leaf Springs

Dave