3/2 Lift and more

[Gruz7]

Just wanted to finally start my own thread for my truck.

Starting with the lift, it was installed today but I won't be about to do a complete write-up because I didn't have the right tools at my house to do it myself so I paid a local shop to install it. Basically, as many people know a leveling kit is a spacer that fits on top of the strut and when bolted back onto the truck that way, it gives the truck a higher stance. I purchased the 3.5" front kit ($44) Steel Front 3 5" Lift Kit F150 Expedition Mark Lt 04 08 2WD 4WD Free Shipping | eBay and the 2.5" rear kit ($60) Carbon Steel Rear 2 5" Lift Kit for Expedition 03 14 2WD 4WD Free Shipping | eBay separately. I think the seller has them together on eBay also but I'm unsure. A lot of information I had on this lift came from tallsville and his very helpful thread with him installing the same kit. http://www.expeditionforum.com/f47/spacer-lift-fronts-2nd-gen-17356/ I believe it is very quality kit and that it is definitely worth the money.

Below are just rough measurements I took with tape measure. Emphasis on ROUGH.

-Before lift

•Fender to tire
Left rear: 4.25"
Right rear: 4.25"
Front right: 4.25"
Front left: 4.25"

•Bumper clearance
Front valence: 11.5"
Rear bumper: 18.5"

•Sides
Drivers side mirror: 16.5"
Passengers side mirror: 16.5"

•Body
Rear hatch: ~76"
Front hood: ~46"
Ground clearance: *8"

-After lift

•Fender to tire
Left rear: 7.25"
Right rear: 7.25"
Front right: 7.25"
Front left: 7.25"

•Bumper clearance
Front valence: 14.5"
Rear bumper: 21"

•Sides
Drivers side mirror: 18.5"
Passengers side mirror: 18.5"

•Body
Rear hatch: 79.5"
Front hood: 49"
Ground clearance: 11"

Gained a lot of space everywhere and I believe that in about a month or so when the 35x12.50r17 Toyo Open Country M/Ts come in I'll be able to fit them nicely. Also have not 100% made up my mind but I do plan on going with MethodRaceWheels "Standard" in 17". Should, hopefully, fit nicely and give the truck some stance.

Here are a few pics thanks guys this forum is great and I have a lot more planned for this truck!
First 2 are before the lift and the last 3 are after the lift.

PS I apologize for any spelling errors beforehand...

 

[kansas expy]

Nice truck I just ordered the same thing off eBay just as a kit. Can't wait to put it on.

 

[Skauber]

Does this put the drivetrain components in weird angles and put more strain on the CV joints and ball joints? I'm a little reluctant to do this as I fear it may set the drive axles at sharp angles and wear out the CV joints much faster.

 

[Gruz7]

Does this put the drivetrain components in weird angles and put more strain on the CV joints and ball joints? I'm a little reluctant to do this as I fear it may set the drive axles at sharp angles and wear out the CV joints much faster.

I was too... Basically what this will do add more stress to everything but by my belief the ball joints should be the only thing that actually wear out on you... Any leveling kit will always add more strain to the vehicle but in the long run it makes the truck look a lot better. I plan on getting an alignment this morning as well as a full service and inspection for parts that need replacement or that will wear out so I'll post if they say anything worrying. But in my personal opinion it is a GREAT way to lift the truck for cheap and good looks [emoji106] and Nice kansas expy!


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[retrogarage6]

looks nice bro. Are you going to be upsizing wheels and tires? And the basket is nice, I'm getting one soon; how much did you pay? I see them between 89 and 150 for cheap no names... and up to $500 for better brands. What did you do?

 

[retrogarage6]

hey also question for you! I noticed the front x-bar doesnt slide on my roof rack but I've read the rear does slide, is that true? Because i did not try the rear after I found the front had to sit in that channel.

 

[Gruz7]

hey also question for you! I noticed the front x-bar doesnt slide on my roof rack but I've read the rear does slide, is that true? Because i did not try the rear after I found the front had to sit in that channel.

Hey retro,

Yeah the front bar does not slide on the 2003 and 2004 but I'm uncertain about the 2005 and 2006. the basket i have is a Yakima megawarrior which was about $340 and then i bought the extension for it the cost $120, over all it was around a $500 roof basket but IMO it was very worth the money with everything i have planned for it. I don't really know too much about the no name brand racks except for that my buddy had one REAL cheap basket on his integra and it flew off on the highway lol. But I will in fact be upgrading from these 265s to 35x12.50r17 mud tires and ill be running 0 offset Method wheels with either 4.75" or 4.5" backspacing... I'm hoping that that setup will have no/minimal rubbing for me!

 

[Gruz7]

another thing you could do if you really hate the stationary front crossbar is go to junkyard or salvage yard and see what they'll charge you to grab another rear bar off a different truck. From my understanding they bolt right on then slide freely until they are clamped down. I only have the 2 OEM crossbars on my truck because the local place wanted to charge me $75 for the rear crossbar.

 

[retrogarage6]

i see, good stuffs. I may try the additional rear bar if i have to when time comes. But the yakima basket did fit on the stock bars? Seems like the basket with the stationary front bar would be too far up front i would like it toward the rear like your setup. Also what do you mean by extension for the basket? if you could elaborate thanks lol

 

[Gruz7]

So as you can see that mine on my dining room table and it has the extension installed and the two pics I provided are the regular basket with no extension and then the extension which is bought separately installed.


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Also that's what the extension looks like wen it comes in

 

[retrogarage6]

OOOOOK i get it now, never saw that option for sale when i have looked. Thanks for the great info. I'm getting the basket because my spare is just getting rusty so I'll have to get a new wheel and tire and i would like it up on the roof (with proper weight limit of basket of course) would be easier to change a flat too, no laying on the ground. Along with some other goodies, shovel, straps, extra fuel when on a trip ya kno the whole africa safari thing haha.

 

[Gruz7]

OOOOOK i get it now, never saw that option for sale when i have looked. Thanks for the great info. I'm getting the basket because my spare is just getting rusty so I'll have top get a new wheel and tire and i would like it up on the roof (with proper weight limit of basket of course) would be easier to change a flat too. along with some other goodies, shovel, staps, extra fuel when on a trip ya kno the whole africa safari thing haha.

Haha same thing I'm planning I'll be bringing my basket to extreme weight limit when I get the cargo boxes jerry cans and 35" spare up there with the hilift jack and shovel lol


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[Gruz7]

Here's a few more pics from right now after the alignment...



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[retrogarage6]

awesome, i get it now so thanks for the good info. Going to put my new spare wheel and tire up there when I get mine, with proper weight limits in mind, of course. Some other stuff like shovel, extra fuel tank for trips, straps, the whole african safari thing ya kno haha. I will prbably try the mid-priced no name brand, its about 90-110" or something, and looks just like tha yakima but I get a kick out of functional low budget goods, so I always like to try it out.

 

[Gruz7]

awesome, i get it now so thanks for the good info. Going to put my new spare wheel and tire up there when I get mine, with proper weight limits in mind, of course. Some other stuff like shovel, extra fuel tank for trips, straps, the whole african safari thing ya kno haha. I will prbably try the mid-priced no name brand, its about 90-110" or something, and looks just like tha yakima but I get a kick out of functional low budget goods, so I always like to try it out.

Awesome and btw so you know what to compare to the Megawarrior Yakima sells with the extension on it comes to about 80"-82" front to back and about 48" from side to side


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[retrogarage6]

thing is making my posts not show up so i say the same thing twice butttt anyway if that one is 82" then good guide for me to purchase, thanks again for tips and pics and all that. Very helpful. And RI ftw!

 

[Skauber]

Did they find anything interesting at the alignment, or was it all good? I'd love a picture of the front suspension and the rear suspension if you're able to get a good picture of it with a camera.

 

[Gruz7]

Will do just a minute I'll send the spec sheet and a few of the struts and behind the wheel


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[Gruz7]

So I knew after installing the kit from research that I would need an alignment and I did need one but not all too bad. I found that to go straight with the steering wheel it had to be only slightly turned left so, again, not too bad. The truck rode fine all yesterday and this morning and rides a little better after the alignment and my steering is straight again. I had them do a few other maintenance things but the alignment was $80. The spec sheet shows the truck camber before the alignment on the top and after the alignment on the bottom and I know the rear still shows red on the bottom left but that is perfectly fine. Any questions you guys have keep em coming!

Also didn't exactly know what you were looking for suspension pic wise so I just went for a couple random angles lol




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Please pay no attention to my horrible rust RI kills cars and it will be sanded and under coated before next winter

 

[Skauber]

I was thinking about the angles of the drive shafts and ball joints. The top from the rear was pretty good in that, is the front one in a similar angle? Doesn't seem like it's too excessive..