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FORD SUPER DUTY FIXED LIFT SYSTEM
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Author: Brian McCormick
Photography: Brian McCormick

ReadyLift, leveling kits, 4x4, offroad, suspension system, Ford trucks, F-150, Range

ReadyLift has the solution to lift your 4wd Ford Super Duty 2.5-inches over 35-inch tall tires

The most popular aftermarket modifications with truck enthusiasts today are suspension level/lift kits. More and more truck owners want to either level their truck or lift it just a little in order to support the installation of taller tires which in turn makes a truck look really good. One problem that owners of the Ford Super Duty trucks run into is the lack of an intermediate height lift system that is more than a leveling kit, but less than a full blown suspension lift kit. Some people want something in between, a lift that features more than a front end spacer. They want a kit that is effectively a true fixed suspension lift kit while allowing for the installation of larger, more aggressive off road tires.

The new Ford Super Duty trucks are pretty tall to begin with. But with the addition of ReadyLift's new Smart Suspension Technology 2.5 fixed suspension lift kit, you get more than just a spring spacer. You get a true lift kit at a moderate height, and equally important, at a moderate price! The ReadyLift engineers developed this new lift kit for the Super Duty around the idea of providing the ability to easily install 35-inch tall tires along with specific suspension components to correct changes in the steering and suspension geometry. The kit comes with a front coil spring spacer, extended lower shock bracket, new front track bar relocation bracket, carrier bearing spacer and a two-inch OEM style rear lift block. Together this package provides 2.5-inches of lift on the 4wd model Super Duty trucks which is perfect for the installation of 35-inch tall tires. It is even feasible to fit 37 inch tall tires when using this kit, but 35s are the recommended size.

Installation is straight forward and quite easy with the right tools and facility. To show you Super Duty owners who have been waiting for a kit just like this to come along, we visited the ReadyLift headquarters to document the installation of their new 2.5-inch fixed lift kit on a 2008 Ford Super Duty F-250 4WD that will be debuted at the 2007 SEMA Show. Not only will this truck feature the much anticipated intermediate lift system, but ReadyLift also incorporated a Volant Performance exhaust system, Edge Juice programmer, AMP Research Power Step s, BMF 20-inch wheels, US Speedo gauge kit, AMI-All Sales chrome upgrades as well as a ReadyRamp bed ramp to compliment the new attitude of their project truck. Check out the following installation steps then click on ReadyLift to find out how to get this kit for your Super Duty.

READYLIFT
2060 PLACENTIA AVE., DEPT TEN
SUITE B-1
COSTA MESA, CA 92627
800.549.4620
949.515.0795

The ReadyLift 2.5 fixed lift kit is specifically designed for late model Ford Super Duty 4wd trucks.	This is one of the main reasons this kit will be super successful. It allows for the easy upgrading to 35-inch tall tires for a more aggressive look while retaining tire clearance without having to deal with a lift that for some may be too tall.	First step is to jack up the front end and remove the stock wheel and tire.
The ReadyLift techs began by removing the trac bar from the factory bracket.	Most mild lifting kits don't address the track bar bracket, nor most other suspension features that are changed with a mild lift or leveling kit. ReadyLift's kit will replace this bracket with a cast bracket that will put the track bar back to factory specifications.	Unbolt the bracket from the frame.
Here is the comparison of the factory track bar bracket on the left and the new ReadyLift drop down bracket on the right. The ReadyLift bracket will put the track bar back to factory specifications.	Use the factory hardware to install the ReadyLift bracket to the same place on the frame.	Here we see the track bar installed into the new bracket. When looking for a stock ride with a modified suspension, it is items such as this bracket that helps retain the original geometry and performance.
Next we move over and remove the lower shock bolt in order to remove the shock from the control arm. A new extended bracket will be installed to allow the shock to function at its stock height.	Before being able to remove the coil spring a few suspension items have to be unbolted such as the sway bar end link.	The brake line bracket must also be unbolted.
Further up the break line bracket that attaches to the frame must be removed to allow the axle to be dropped down enough to safely pull the spring out.	A new bolt hole must be drilled approximately two inches lower than the original hole that bracket bolt was just removed from. This is to accommodate the axle being moved further from the frame.	With jack stands properly securing the vehicle by the frame, the front axle is slowly lowered down to be able to pull the top of the spring out of the frame perch.
The coil spring doesn't have to be fully removed. The top is pulled away from the perch and the ReadyLift Coil Spring Extension installed on top of the spring with two polyurethane donuts installed on top and bottom of the spacer to provide that true factory quality ride.	The spring and spacer assemblies are then installed back into the frame perch.	Here is a better look at the ReadyLift Coil Spring Extension properly installed.
ReadyLift sought to address every suspension feature that would be impacted by the lift. This included the stock bump stop.	With the bump stop removed the bracket the bump stop was attached to is unbolted from the bottom of the frame.	A new bump stop extension is then attached to the frame followed by attaching the factory bump stop bracket to the bottom of the extension as shown.
The factory bump stop is then re-attached to the factory bracket which will provide the exact same amount of travel to the bump stop as it did with the factory suspension height.	Nearing completion of the front suspension modifications, the final step involves installing the 2.5-inch powder coated steel shock extender. The bracket should fit right into the factory shock mount location as shown.	Use the factory bolt to attach the shock to the extension bracket.
As you can see this bracket compensates for the suspension lift while providing you with the opportunity to retain your stock shocks.	For the rear, ReadyLift developed an OEM-style 2-inch rear block complete with new u-bolts that incorporates the factory bump stop as part of the casting so you retain the same distance as stock height.	As with most lifts, addressing the carrier bearing is important. Most kits don't include a spacer to correct pinion angle issues that can accompany a suspension lift. The ReadyLift kit comes with a center driveline bearing spacer that goes between the bearing mount and the bearing assembly to keep your driveline geometry in tact.
With those easy steps the ReadyLift Super Duty 2.5-lift fixed lift kit is installed. This great kit is perfect for those who want a mild lift without all of the exotic suspension components.	Here we installed a set of 20-inch wheels surrounded by 35 inch Pro Comp Xtreme tires which are a perfect fit for this particular kit.
The finished product displays how cool an intermediate lift kit like the ReadyLift 2.5-inch fixed lift kit is on the Super Duty. It's big and ready for the off road trails or just looking good without compromising any of the factory ride or geometry.

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Home » Article » How-To

FORD SUPER DUTY FIXED LIFT SYSTEM

Author: Brian McCormick

Photography: Brian McCormick

ReadyLift has the solution to lift your 4wd Ford Super Duty 2.5-inches over 35-inch tall tires

The ReadyLift 2.5 fixed lift kit is specifically designed for late model Ford Super Duty 4wd trucks.

This is one of the main reasons this kit will be super successful. It allows for the easy upgrading to 35-inch tall tires for a more aggressive look while retaining tire clearance without having to deal with a lift that for some may be too tall.

First step is to jack up the front end and remove the stock wheel and tire.

The ReadyLift techs began by removing the trac bar from the factory bracket.

Most mild lifting kits don't address the track bar bracket, nor most other suspension features that are changed with a mild lift or leveling kit. ReadyLift's kit will replace this bracket with a cast bracket that will put the track bar back to factory specifications.

Unbolt the bracket from the frame.

Here is the comparison of the factory track bar bracket on the left and the new ReadyLift drop down bracket on the right. The ReadyLift bracket will put the track bar back to factory specifications.

Use the factory hardware to install the ReadyLift bracket to the same place on the frame.

Here we see the track bar installed into the new bracket. When looking for a stock ride with a modified suspension, it is items such as this bracket that helps retain the original geometry and performance.

Next we move over and remove the lower shock bolt in order to remove the shock from the control arm. A new extended bracket will be installed to allow the shock to function at its stock height.

Before being able to remove the coil spring a few suspension items have to be unbolted such as the sway bar end link.

The brake line bracket must also be unbolted.

Further up the break line bracket that attaches to the frame must be removed to allow the axle to be dropped down enough to safely pull the spring out.

A new bolt hole must be drilled approximately two inches lower than the original hole that bracket bolt was just removed from. This is to accommodate the axle being moved further from the frame.

With jack stands properly securing the vehicle by the frame, the front axle is slowly lowered down to be able to pull the top of the spring out of the frame perch.

The coil spring doesn't have to be fully removed. The top is pulled away from the perch and the ReadyLift Coil Spring Extension installed on top of the spring with two polyurethane donuts installed on top and bottom of the spacer to provide that true factory quality ride.

The spring and spacer assemblies are then installed back into the frame perch.

Here is a better look at the ReadyLift Coil Spring Extension properly installed.

ReadyLift sought to address every suspension feature that would be impacted by the lift. This included the stock bump stop.

With the bump stop removed the bracket the bump stop was attached to is unbolted from the bottom of the frame.

A new bump stop extension is then attached to the frame followed by attaching the factory bump stop bracket to the bottom of the extension as shown.

The factory bump stop is then re-attached to the factory bracket which will provide the exact same amount of travel to the bump stop as it did with the factory suspension height.

Nearing completion of the front suspension modifications, the final step involves installing the 2.5-inch powder coated steel shock extender. The bracket should fit right into the factory shock mount location as shown.

Use the factory bolt to attach the shock to the extension bracket.

As you can see this bracket compensates for the suspension lift while providing you with the opportunity to retain your stock shocks.

For the rear, ReadyLift developed an OEM-style 2-inch rear block complete with new u-bolts that incorporates the factory bump stop as part of the casting so you retain the same distance as stock height.

With those easy steps the ReadyLift Super Duty 2.5-lift fixed lift kit is installed. This great kit is perfect for those who want a mild lift without all of the exotic suspension components.

Here we installed a set of 20-inch wheels surrounded by 35 inch Pro Comp Xtreme tires which are a perfect fit for this particular kit.

The finished product displays how cool an intermediate lift kit like the ReadyLift 2.5-inch fixed lift kit is on the Super Duty. It's big and ready for the off road trails or just looking good without compromising any of the factory ride or geometry.