Lift Kits
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AreWeThereYet
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Welcome to the site, not sure about Ford, but with my Dodge I'm going to be installing a CARLI leveling kit.
Stay away from the carli IMO really hard on front end stuff and rough ride in the Chevy anyways. Spend the extra and get an actual lift. Will pay for itself in the long run
My 11 f150 has a pro comp was on the truck when I bought it. Been ok so far only 60 k on it 10 of which I put on only complaint is again seems to be a very rough ride for a 150
My 11 f150 has a pro comp was on the truck when I bought it. Been ok so far only 60 k on it 10 of which I put on only complaint is again seems to be a very rough ride for a 150
ferniesnow
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I had a Kal Tire levelling kit installed on my 2008 GMC 2500HD and then I went to another shop and they told me to take it out. If I were to be rough on it (ie FSR, back-country roads, etc..) there was not enough room remaining for the shocks and springs to doo their job and I would be bottoming out all the time.
A lift kit doesn't act this way and will be fine.......just my experience with one levelling kit.......
A lift kit doesn't act this way and will be fine.......just my experience with one levelling kit.......
Lund
Active VIP Member
What it boils down too is how much your willing to part with your money. There is an almost endless options of kits out there and alot of wannabee kits. I am not going to name any as i don't want to start a pissing match with those who own them. I was in a 4X4 club for YEARS, Northshore 4wheelers and Swamprats, both out of Vancouver. Built several mud buggers and rockcrawlers, road legal and non road legal.
My advise is first decide what you REALY want to do with the truck, then decide on a budget, then shop around.
Your post starts with I'm just curious as to what brands to steer clear from, which are the best, etc. If thats the case your wanting the best, be willing to pay in the upper $10,000.
A basic Rancho, ProComp, Skyjacker just to name a few are all affordable and work well for a daily driver, but expect pro's and con's with any setup over the OEM setup.
My advise is first decide what you REALY want to do with the truck, then decide on a budget, then shop around.
Your post starts with I'm just curious as to what brands to steer clear from, which are the best, etc. If thats the case your wanting the best, be willing to pay in the upper $10,000.
A basic Rancho, ProComp, Skyjacker just to name a few are all affordable and work well for a daily driver, but expect pro's and con's with any setup over the OEM setup.
Lund
Active VIP Member
Things you might want to consider when shoppping for a kit.
How long has the manufacture been around, what is their history in racing and modified suspensions.
Lift kits have been made for over 40+yrs and alot of the builders are still building.
Where is the suspension made, is it local (USA, Canada) or off shore (China, Korea ect.) Off shore builders have ZERO experience in off road and its all about $$$ in their case, thats my opinion. Stay local IMO.
What kind of tech support will you get after the purchase, very important as most kits offer little warranty, even the high $$ ones.
Do they have a install shop in your local area or someone they autherize the installation to avoid issues such as warranties. Food for thought.
Most legititame 4X4 specialty shops are autherized to install, but generaly only what they offer as a kit, but not alway's, you need to ask.
How long has the manufacture been around, what is their history in racing and modified suspensions.
Lift kits have been made for over 40+yrs and alot of the builders are still building.
Where is the suspension made, is it local (USA, Canada) or off shore (China, Korea ect.) Off shore builders have ZERO experience in off road and its all about $$$ in their case, thats my opinion. Stay local IMO.
What kind of tech support will you get after the purchase, very important as most kits offer little warranty, even the high $$ ones.
Do they have a install shop in your local area or someone they autherize the installation to avoid issues such as warranties. Food for thought.
Most legititame 4X4 specialty shops are autherized to install, but generaly only what they offer as a kit, but not alway's, you need to ask.
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- Thread starter
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Lund
Active VIP Member
OK, well here are a few other things you might want to consider when looking at lifts for truck's. Alot of people don't consider these or even know.
I then suspect its to give your truck a better appeal, looks. More then functional but either way here are things to think about.
-the higher you lift a vehicle, the lesser the traction. Why, the higher the center of gravity on your chassi the lower the traction.
-handling characteristics change drasticaly, generaly speaking tall trucks handle like POOO...goes back to center of gravity.
-fuel milage, generaly drops significantly. Why, more resistance, wind and tires.
-towing, trailering becomes not just an issue with drop hitches but is lessen cause of what is already mentioned. Lifted truck are not good tow vehicles.
-cost of operating the vehicle is higher, fuel, tires(bigger tires) wear and tear.
-the use of the box is more difficult, like its higher. If you own sleds, quades, bikes even a small 12ft boat loading can be a BEEUITCH. I use a sled deck on my truck, i cannot imaging loading on a higher truck or even driving with a load higher. It would spell stiffer springs or stabilizer or duallies...ewww yuk.
Anyhow, alot of these issues can be addressed to a certain point. But there will always be a cost involved money wise and performance.
Personnaly i would go with either and leveling kit or a mild 2". This way you will less compromise your truck as a truck and she still will look real good. JMO
BTW, i am sure some dude might come on here and dispute what is being said here, like "my mega lifted triple turbocharged diesel monster will tow like a locomotive and handle like a honda on steriods ", haha what ever, he's probably a little dude dreaming big with a fat wallet.
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- #10
yea I want to give my truck better looks.
As for how much I want to lift it, you definitely gave me some food for thought. I will look into a leveling kit and a 2".
Haha yea I've been waiting for a white oakley wearing guy with his jacked up diesel to comment.
ThrottleOps
Active VIP Member
fyi the new fords will fit 37's with just a 2.5" leveling kit and will run 35's stock.. have a look at my pics in the show your rig thread, all it has is a 2.5" carli leveling kit.. from all the ford sites I frequent it sounds like Carli or Icon are the best choices!
gates559
Active VIP Member
sorry to hear about the ford.... maybe next time you can get a dodge
I had a lift on my last truck, never again. A leveling kit will do what I want. With a lift you loose handling and get worse fuel mileage, probably won't turn as sharp as stock. Power loss with big tires, wears front ends out fast, brakes etc. plus when your ready to sell, no one wants to buy a used lifted truck.
I like leveling kits, they give a nice clean look and let you fit some descent size tires. The truck rides like it always did.
I had a lift on my last truck, never again. A leveling kit will do what I want. With a lift you loose handling and get worse fuel mileage, probably won't turn as sharp as stock. Power loss with big tires, wears front ends out fast, brakes etc. plus when your ready to sell, no one wants to buy a used lifted truck.
I like leveling kits, they give a nice clean look and let you fit some descent size tires. The truck rides like it always did.
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HRT Offroad
Active VIP Member
The funny thing here is; that carli doesn't even make a suspension system for a Chev
I've been in this racket for 15+ years and all that we sell, suspension wise, at this point is Carli Suspension. They have offerings in both 2.5" and 4.5" lift height and drastically improve the ride and handling in the Ford solid front axle, coil sprung trucks. Either system will allow the running of 37's with the properly spec'd wheel. Wheel size also plays a huge role in lease road/offroad performance and comfort. The larger the diameter of the wheel the less give there is in the sidewall of the tire, which equals it being less favourable on sharp edged obstacles. We used to sell ICON, but their systems don't hold up to our elements near as well as Carli's do. If you are going to be bashing lease roads; I would recommend one of Carli's Systems with 2.5" KING shocks, coupled with Stainless Steel shafts and clear 3m wrap to help stop shock body corrosion....
Funny cause I just put a bds into our 1 ton and the four guys I called told me to stay away from the carli.
Reason I was asking about it in the first place was because the bosses 07 has upper control arms with big carli stickers on them. So I guess he must have just bought stickers and put them on to look cool and the suspension shops I called lied as well.
Sorry for the confusion. Carli sucks anyways.
Reason I was asking about it in the first place was because the bosses 07 has upper control arms with big carli stickers on them. So I guess he must have just bought stickers and put them on to look cool
and the suspension shops I called lied as well. Sorry for the confusion. Carli sucks anyways.
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brutematt750
Active VIP Member
Maybe he wished it was a carli system , perhaps they say cognito. That's pretty close to carli. Cognito is pretty common on Chevys
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HRT Offroad
Active VIP Member
Funny cause I just put a bds into our 1 ton and the four guys I called told me to stay away from the carli.
Reason I was asking about it in the first place was because the bosses 07 has upper control arms with big carli stickers on them. So I guess he must have just bought stickers and put them on to look cool
Sorry for the confusion. Carli sucks anyways.
I am pretty sure that brutematt750 is correct...you must have Carli confused with either Cognito or CST. We have been one of the largest Carli dealer/distributors for years, and they have NOT and will probably NEVER will build a system for a Chev.
Maybe some dirt miles are in order...I will bring out my Carli equipped Dodge and put it up against you BDS equipped Chev...and we will see how much Carli sucks
Could possibly be cognito as stickers peeling a bit etc but funny how the other guys I asked said to stay away from the carli in a chev.
Dunno just sayin what I have been told by others and what I've experienced with the suspension in his 07
Dunno just sayin what I have been told by others and what I've experienced with the suspension in his 07
gates559
Active VIP Member
There are lots of lifts to stay away from but carlis Isn't one of them, they have some of the best product going. Thuren is also top notch as long as your not in a rush to get it.
HotShotHarry
Active VIP Member
I put a Rough Country 4" lift with dual steering stabilizer shocks on my 11-F350. 25000 miles on it now with no issues. Rides as good as stock with stock size winter tires on but a bit rougher with 35" Toyos. Lost about 3l per 100 kms fuel economy. Also had to change the mud flaps to a step back design to prevent tire rub. Looks cool but definetly has its disadvantages,not so sure I would do it again. Next truck will be a dually anyway.
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