NEW USER, needs a lift kit, can't find any please help

[kyperman]

I have a totally stock 1999 XLT with rear end sag. I was not sure if I was going to keep the truck for too much longer, I would like to get an F-150. But I think I may keep it a while yet. If I do, I need to get rid of the rear sag. I would like to do either of two things.

1. Add a leaf and crank the torsion bars a bit to at least even the truck out a little

2. Add a 3 inch body lift.

I can't find ANYTHING out there, not even an add a leaf kit. Can anyone please help me find the parts out there to accomplish either of these?

Maybe an airbag kit is the only way to go, I have no idea.

 

[hardywo]

Well, you'll find out soon, there's lots of options ranging from really expensive to REALLY expensive...the best, easiest, and cheapest path for now would be to spend about $14 at Advance Auto Parts on their shackles, and then crank the torsion bars to match the back. The shackles should lift you about 1.5-2". That should be enough, but if you want more, the other part that I did was the F-150 leaf mod. Search for it on here to find out more, but I took the leafs off a 80's F-150, combined them with some of my original leafs, and put the new pack on. I've got about 3-4" of lift in the rear. You should be able to come close with the TT. Good luck and let me know how it turns out. Email if you need any other advice.

 

[kyperman]

While I would love to raise the whole thing 3 to 4 inches, I really just want to level the truck better, at least that is my first goal. Can you explain to me how these shakles work? You bolt them on somehow to the rear suspension to raise it and stableize it? How would this effect the ride and can I still tow a small boat without much trouble?

I am such a poser when it comes to this stuff....!! I need an owners manual to change my oil.

 

[Rottie]

Hey hardywo, can you give me some more info on the Advance Auto shackles? I just got done searching their site and couldn't find anything. Do you still have a part number to use to order some or are they just something they keep on the shelves? Thanks!

 

[kyperman]

I have also been looking and can't find them online. I did find the Warrior shackles part number war 135 at www.desertrat.com.

What is a helper leaf spring? Could that also be an option?

 

[hardywo]

kyperman: Look at the end of your leaf springs that's towards the rear. You'll see that it has shackles connecting the springs to the frame. If you measure the factory shackles, they're about 7.5" and the ones from advance are almost 11". It increases the distance from the shackle to the frame, lifting the rear end. Unlike the add-a-leaf method, it does not stiffen the ride. You simply unbolt the factory shackles and replace them with the advance shackles. There are some jacks and jack stands involved, but you get the idea. Lift the rear wheels off the ground. Place jack stands on the frame in front of where the forward end of the leafs connect. To relieve the pressure on the rear bolts, place a jack under the rear diff (a board between the jack and the pumpkin prevents damage to it) and lift the axle slightly. Complete one side before moving on to the other and watch your toes when you unbolt the back end of the leaf springs. They can hurt if they land on you. I unfortunately know. Good luck and if you need any other advice let me know.
Everyone wants/uses the warrior shackles, but these work just as well and are a whole lot cheaper!

Rottie: I don't remember the part number, and I couldn't find it on the site either. They should have it in the store, but if not autozone has something similar. Check out part #1299.

 

[kyperman]

Thanks a lot...I really appreciate it, I am gonna go with the cheaper ones I think.

Also, can you quick tell me a little about where to find the torsion bars and how to adjust them?

 

[Rottie]

hardywo, thanks for the info. Is this what you're talking about:

http://www.autozone.com/selectedZip...il/initialR,NONAPP1832/shopping/selectZip.htm

Do you not need the center cross brace?

 

[hardywo]

kyperman: Yeah, cheaper's usually the way I go too. There's a torsion bar on both sides of the truck. If you look just behind each tire and under the truck, you'll see a bar coming from the front axle and ending about under the front seat area.

Lift the front end enough that both front wheels are hanging off the ground. Then place jack stands behind the wheels on the frame so that the entire front end is hanging freely. Then crank the adjuster bolts clockwise to raise the front end, and counter-clockwise to lower it. You'll see that the middle of the axle lifts and it creates potentially dangerous angles with the cv arms. You probably won't be able to safely crank it all the way with only stock tires. I was actually able to get longer bolts and crank it even higher with my 31's. Just keep track of how many complete turns you make on each side and keep them as close as you can so both sides will sit even. You should need a 13mm socket for the adjuster bolt.

Rottie: Yeah, that's what I'm talking about, but if you go check out an Advance Auto Parts store, theirs is just as good, and cheaper. I thought the center brace would be more secure too, but I haven't needed it yet, and there was someone else on here who has gone wheeling with his and had no problems either. He's the one who helped convince me to get them in the first place.

 

[hardywo]

If you unbolt the black cover plate around the bolt that adjusts the torsion bar, you can see the part that the bolt lifts (torsion bar key). To make the job incredibly easy (this is something I wish I knew the first time), use the factory jack to lift this key up higher, off of the torsion bar bolt. Then easier (almost by hand) rotate the bolt up as high as you want, then lower the key back down onto the bolt. So much easier that way...seriously easier. I learned a lot of things the hard way and know a whole lot more now, so feel free to ask anymore questions you want. I probably will be able to answer most of them. Just email me or post them here, as my pm box is almost full already. Good luck.

 

[kyperman]

When you say that adjusting the torsion bars creates dangerous angles, that' sif you crank it too much correct? If you are careful and only crank it about an 1" or 1.5" you should be ok right?

 

[hardywo]

Yeah, I'd say 45 degrees and up is too much. You'll see what I'm talking about when you actually do it. Most people say that around 2-2.5" is still safe. I don't quite understand why they help, but when I switched from my stock tires to my 31s, the angles instantly got better, so I got longer bolts and cranked the front higher. My front end is somewhere between 3 and 4" higher and I'm still fine. 1-1.5" should be plenty for what you're doing so you'll definitely be fine too. Let me know how it works out for you.