Level kit best option

[Dan G]

So I want to raise the front end about 1”-1.5”. What’s the best option to maintain as close as possible factory ride and reliability? This truck will see off-road…

And what brands do you have experience with or recommend?


Springs? Spacers above strut? Spacer/block below strut?

I’ve used spacer block in my previous truck before 1.5” and it stiffened the front end up but it wasn’t that noticeable unless I really paid attention to it but that truck didn’t have a Baja fancy suspension.

 

[TVH476]

Can't say what is best, but I went with Eibach 1.6 sprigs ang have been very happy with them on & off road

 

[Dan G]

Can't say what is best, but I went with Eibach 1.6 sprigs ang have been very happy with them on & off road

Does the front end feel bouncy or stiff?

 

[RamFan]

Does anyone know if there are long term affects or if you are pushing the limits on the front end drive shaft joints going up another 1.5"?

Chris

 

[itsmekylep]

I'm having the foutz collar put on in a week. I'll report back after that.

 

[TXRHO]

I originally ordered the 1.5 Foutz collar, but then changed my mind and purchased the Eibach springs (frt. 1.6/rr. 1.5) from Nick @ 797. The springs will be installed tomorrow or Wednesday. I will be looking for a new home for the Foutz collar if anyone is interested.

 

[Irongoats]

I originally ordered the 1.5 Foutz collar, but then changed my mind and purchased the Eibach springs (frt. 1.6/rr. 1.5) from Nick @ 797. The springs will be installed tomorrow or Wednesday. I will be looking for a new home for the Foutz collar if anyone is interested.

Hey me too this Wednesday install.

 

[TVH476]

Does the front end feel bouncy or stiff?

At low speeds it's bouncy just like the factory springs, I think they have the rebound a little to loose on there valving at super low speeds. For me the Eibachs have a great spring rate for mid-higher speeds on rough fire roads, water bar jumps & washboard roads. I'm very happy with them. I think I've got 2500-3000 miles on them now

 

[DCook]

Perch collars.are noticeably stiffer offroad at low speed , they are also stiffer on road but as most seem to mention this is a plus . I can still wack a speed bump as hard as I won't and the truck is seamless

 

[Dan G]

Perch collars.are noticeably stiffer offroad at low speed , they are also stiffer on road but as most seem to mention this is a plus . I can still wack a speed bump as hard as I won't and the truck is seamless

My goal is to sail my truck like a boat.

 

[frogjbm]

I think either will yield the same result. I would NOT do an upper collar, however.

 

[Eighty]

I’d recommend spending some time on the TRX forum and comparing the experiences with perch collars vs. Eibach or Geiser springs. There are pluses and minuses on both sides, but it seems that the springs are generally considered a better option. Unless you don’t mind replacing CV boots and/or axles every few thousand miles.

 

[Dan G]

I’d recommend spending some time on the TRX forum and comparing the experiences with perch collars vs. Eibach or Geiser springs. There are pluses and minuses on both sides, but it seems that the springs are generally considered a better option. Unless you don’t mind replacing CV boots and/or axles every few thousand miles.

Oh yeah just swap them during routine oil changes

 

[frogjbm]

I’d recommend spending some time on the TRX forum and comparing the experiences with perch collars vs. Eibach or Geiser springs. There are pluses and minuses on both sides, but it seems that the springs are generally considered a better option. Unless you don’t mind replacing CV boots and/or axles every few thousand miles.

Are you suggesting collars are causing more issues on CV boots/axles vs springs? Sorry to me that makes no sense. Mind elaborating why this is? I can see this happening if you level beyond 1.5", but a simple rise to 1.5" I can't see that as an issue. The springs level higher up to 1.6", so in my view, that runs more of a risk than the minimum 1.5" from Foutz, for example. For me, I'm not offroading, street use predominately, so I'm sure this won't be an issue for me.

 

[TVH476]

Are you suggesting collars are causing more issues on CV boots/axles vs springs? Sorry to me that makes no sense. Mind elaborating why this is? I can see this happening if you level beyond 1.5", but a simple rise to 1.5" I can't see that as an issue. The springs level higher up to 1.6", so in my view, that runs more of a risk than the minimum 1.5" from Foutz, for example. For me, I'm not offroading, street use predominately, so I'm sure this won't be an issue for me.

The 1.6 springs or 1.5 collars won't cause any more or less damage as the other, both doing the same thing just using different principles

 

[Eighty]

I’m no expert here, but from what I’ve seen and read:
Springs preset your stock travel to a higher stance, but have no ultimate effect on how far your suspension droops.
Perch collars actually extend your travel, taking it beyond factory specs. So you get pinched CV boots.
That’s how I understand it anyways.

 

[xkpgx81]

I went with the Eibach 1.6 leveling spring simply because I’d rather have a brand new spring designed specifically for the height and spring rate needed for the stock shock, rather than preloading and compressing a factory spring that wasn’t designed to operate that way. Call me crazy but it just seems like the logical choice here.

 

[frogjbm]

This is where I disagree. Top collars arguably can put added stress to your CV joints, however bottom collars do not have the same effect. This is why Foutz in my view has perfected the leveling kit. I think either Eibach springs or Foutz will result in the same way. Eibach didn't even change the spring tension rating between TRX and RHO, same part number and the RHO is ~150 lbs lighter in the front. I think if you use a top collar, then yea, you're going to have issues.

Per Foutz site:

Why is it bad to add a block on top?
• When you add a block on top of the spring it moves the whole shock down and that lets the suspension droop farther then it was intended - This results in putting the Ball Joints & CV joints in a bind which will cause premature failures.

• That is why we don't use some cheesy block on top of the shock mount that causes damage to your ball joints and CV's

How do we know this?
• We took the time to engineer and construct a proper under spring spacer that mounts to the shock body under the lower spring perch so it can add extra preload to the stock spring

• Our team at Foutz Motorsports has an incredible amount of experience & knowledge when it comes to stock suspension from our Raptor R race programs and racing our stock full Ford Super Duty race trucks over the years.

 

[TVH476]

I’m no expert here, but from what I’ve seen and read:
Springs preset your stock travel to a higher stance, but have no ultimate effect on how far your suspension droops.
Perch collars actually extend your travel, taking it beyond factory specs. So you get pinched CV boots.
That’s how I understand it anyways.

Not correct. perches/collars increase preload of the factory spring, basically a spacer, both increase ride height by decreasing usable down travel, stock struts/shocks are retained in factory locations, strut tower and lower a-arm. Now if you put a spacer on the bottom of the strut, making the strut longer, this would exceed factory engineered specs of the suspension and drivetrain

 

[Eighty]

Not correct. perches/collars increase preload of the factory spring, basically a spacer, both increase ride height by decreasing usable down travel, stock struts/shocks are retained in factory locations, strut tower and lower a-arm. Now if you put a spacer on the bottom of the strut, making the strut longer, this would exceed factory engineered specs of the suspension and drivetrain

Everything you said is the exact opposite of what was posted above (from Foutz Motorsports). As I mentioned earlier, I'm not an expert on these matters, so I'm not going to argue it one way or another. That's why I suggested going to the TRX forum - there are real world examples of CV boot and axle replacements due to using perches. That's all I know, lol