2009 - 2014 F-150

Okay, so I "leveled" with the 2" AS

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  #16  
Old 04-20-2010, 03:28 PM
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[QUOTE=LonestarROB;4185566]I may be mistaken but I'm pretty sure the Bilstein 5100's don't have a 1.5" setting. Unless they are different for the 09's+ , they go 0", 1", 2" .

Yup, must be different for the newer trucks. My Bilsteins go 0", .75", 1.5", and 2.25".
My buddy who has a spring compressor at his shop and is installing these for me just called and said the truck appears to sit perfectly level now.
And FWIW, he did say the springs were a b*tch to compress.
 
  #17  
Old 04-20-2010, 08:21 PM
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I did the AS 2.5" and then the 3" ready lift block in the rear replacing the factory block. It's about .5" to 3/4" higher on the back now. I suggest you do nothing for about a month. I don't think anything will change, but your opinion might. It looks hot!
 
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Old 04-20-2010, 08:43 PM
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This is the response I got from the springbender seller on ebay:

Go with the 1-1/2 inch kit on your 2009-2010. Most customers with the 2009-2010 that installed a 2 inch or 2-1/2" front kit end up installing our rear block kit or rear add-a-leaf kit. Ford raised up the front end on the 2009-2010 F-150's slightly higher than the 2004-2008 models.--Kevin--Auto Spring Kits


- sprngbender
 
  #19  
Old 04-20-2010, 09:51 PM
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5100's are on!

Put the Bilstein 5100's on my truck today and WOW what a difference. These shocks have 4 settings - 0", .75", 1.5", & 2.25". After reading a lot of posts on here and other boards about traction control issues with leveled 2010's I decided to be a bit conservative and just go with the 1.5" setting. I think I made the right choice - measured on the concrete floor of my garage the truck sits almost perfectly level. Just 1/4" lower at the front wheel wells which is almost imperceptible. Truck rides great - maybe a pinch stiffer on the front end but so minor as to hardly be worth mentioning. No handling issues either - so far it's all good.
Before and after pics are in an album. (Someday I'll learn how to post pics in a message.)
Tires and wheels are next.
 
  #20  
Old 04-20-2010, 10:15 PM
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I actually called Auto Spring Corp. today and spoke with a gentleman there (I did not get his name though). I told him that I had used his 1.5" leveling kits on a 2004 & a 2005 F-150 in the past and really liked his product. I have a 2010 F-150 4x4 on order and wanted to know if they made a smaller spacer. From reading all these leveling posts it appears that the 1.5" Autospring spacer is actually lifting the front ends anywhere from 2 to 2 1/4 inches. I tow a good bit and would like to maintain a slight front end rake for that purpose. I too can't stand to see a truck that is nose high.

I told him that I was a member of this forum as well as F150online and that many folks would be interested in a slightly smaller spacer. The 1.5" AS spacer measures 1 5/16 inches in thickness. I suggested that they make a spacer that is right at 1" thick to provide a true 1 1/2" of lift. He said the problem with a smaller spacer is that the bolts and nuts on top of the strut assembly would not fit into anything smaller than the 1 1/2" spacer as it is now. He said that he would look into seeing if they could make a smaller spacer and notch out the area where the strut bolts could fit. He said to call him back in about a week to see what they find out. I'll keep everyone posted as I think this would make a lot of people happy.

SCScrew
 
  #21  
Old 04-20-2010, 10:30 PM
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^^^nice info, i did see a member on this forum had the 1.5 AS and it still looked a little nose high. i really don't get the nose high "bulldog" look (which is what i think they call it)...it just looks like they have a load in the back of their truck and don't find it appealing, i do want a truck sitting level and will eventually put airbags in the back of my truck once i get more money to eliminate the towing sag problem, not sure if the bags can jack up the rear end as well????
 
  #22  
Old 04-20-2010, 11:25 PM
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Buyer beware.

I sent them an email (4-20-10 @8:47 am) asking if my 1/2 higher in the front "level" was the norm, no reply yet.

Go with the 1-1/2 inch kit on your 2009-2010. Most customers with the 2009-2010 that installed a 2 inch or 2-1/2" front kit end up installing our rear block kit or rear add-a-leaf kit.
Fantastic. How about changing the description on your product page to say that? As it is now, they say/imply that the 2" nearly levels the truck (still some rake). I do NOT want to raise the rear.

Under the 2009-2010 spacer (2.5")it says:

Our 2-1/2 inch kit was installed on the F-150's in the pictures. The 2-1/2 inch kit gives you a dead level look.. We use USPS Priority airmail for shipping to CANADA (no duty fees or tarriffs). PLEASE INCLUDE THE ADDITIONAL FREIGHT WHEN PAYING WITH PAYPAL OR A SEPERATE INVOICE WILL BE SENT TO YOU.
Link here: http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/AUTOS...#ht_1294wt_940

The 2" level kit, which I purchased:

AUTO SPRING AS 2009-2010 FORD F-150 2" Front Lift Kit

Our 2 inch kit was installed on the F-150 in the pictures.The 2 inch kit is preferable if you plan on frequently towing trailers or hauling heavy loads. The 2 inch kit gives you the level look when the rear normally sags under load. If you prefer the dead level look we also have a 2-1/2 or 3 inch kit listed on a seperate Ebay auction. All kits are shipped via USPS Priority Airmail the same day we receive payment (except weekends and holidays of course) We use USPS priority airmail (3-5 days delivery) for shipping to Canada.PLEASE INCLUDE ADDITIONAL FREIGHT WHEN PAYING WITH PAYPAL OR A SEPERATE INVOICE FOR FREIGHT WILL BE SENT TO YOU.
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eB...#ht_1217wt_941

So the 2.5 is supposed to dead level it, the 2" apparently leaves a little rake (what I wanted) as described on their page. Wrong. Maybe they just copied and pasted info from the 2008? Either way, I'm out $250 for the install/alignment and $80 for the part. So, to right this, I need to exchange the part (if they will take the installed 2" back in exchange for a 1.5") and pay another $250 for the uninstall/reinstall + new alignment? Seem right?
 

Last edited by Okie DRN; 04-20-2010 at 11:41 PM.
  #23  
Old 04-20-2010, 11:53 PM
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you hit the nail on the head with the buyer beware thing...that is why i'm kinda waiting to see how everyone else's "levels" out, no pun intended....i also noticed with some other members on the forum still have the the front end sitting high with the 1.5 AS when they have a full tank of gas which was a major turn off for me (i have the 36 gallon tank)....
 
  #24  
Old 04-21-2010, 12:01 AM
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you hit the nail on the head with the buyer beware thing.
Yup. You research, you read the vendor's description and well... it didn't work out. So now, it'll cost me $580 to get back where I started. Not cool. Oh well, it's only money, right?

Live and learn as they say. Suddenly that stock rake isn't looking so bad, lol.
 
  #25  
Old 04-21-2010, 12:28 AM
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I did the 2.5" AS in the front and the Readylift 3" rear block . Sits @ 39 1/2" form the ground to the wheel well in the front and 41 1/8" in the rear. Should sit perfect when I add the shell. Did it myself for $260 with alignment. I couldn't be happier.
 
  #26  
Old 04-21-2010, 10:58 AM
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I like the nose up a little bit... Reminds me of a pre-runner in baja. Also transfers a bit more weight to the rear axle which should increase traction at the rear tires when the bed is empty, not that we can get too squirley with traction control spoiling the fun...
 
  #27  
Old 04-21-2010, 09:31 PM
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Originally Posted by Westpoint
I did the 2.5" AS in the front and the Readylift 3" rear block . Sits @ 39 1/2" form the ground to the wheel well in the front and 41 1/8" in the rear. Should sit perfect when I add the shell. Did it myself for $260 with alignment. I couldn't be happier.
This looks perfect to me. Nice job on the self install.
 
  #28  
Old 04-21-2010, 10:44 PM
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^^^ i agree, that is a nice setup you got there...
 
  #29  
Old 04-22-2010, 03:46 AM
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I have an 06 FX4 and i bought 2.5" spacers from http://www.fatbobsgarage.com/ because they were way cheaper here. i bought the 2.5 because i went out and jacked up my truck to see what spacing i would need to level the truck off. i would have gone with the 2. but i think the 2.5 is dead straight in my opinion. it looks way better than stock. I will post a picture tomorrow. I have a before and after picture
 
  #30  
Old 04-22-2010, 11:43 AM
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Originally Posted by Okie DRN
I do NOT want to raise the rear.
Not questioning your decision, but any particular reason why?
 



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