Lift Recommendations for 2002 F250

[Saline]

After searching for months for a fairly cherry F250 with a 7.3 I believe I found one. I plan on doing a moderate lift (4") and having a new Hallmark Milner on it 90% of the time. We do a lot of off pavement driving and a fair bit in 4 lo.

I have looked through other posts etc regarding lifts for these trucks and it seems Icon is the top end. Of note, I don't want to use blocks in the rear if at all possible.

Making the switch from the SMB (regret selling it).

Thanks for the input.

 

[SDDiver5]

Instead of blocks you can always do airbags. Not ideal for off road but still an option.

 

[Buliwyf]

Instead of blocks you can always do airbags. Not ideal for off road but still an option.

Rear suspension would be topped out too much. Not enough wt. transfer under braking. Would stink to drive. Been there, did that. Tried to use f250 blocks and bags on a f350, thinking that the bags could return the truck to F350 height. BAAAAAD idea. The steel springs can only reach down so far. When you remove the blocks and then add bags, you're using up available down travel. My air bag kit, properly installed, will only lift the rear of my less than an inch unloaded. And whatever is required to relevel it when it is loaded. It's setup for level use. Proper lift springs are required to remove the blocks. Unless you shackle lift, which I don't recommend for the Superduties.
-
My vote would be for a BDS suspension kit. Then add 4-5" taller rear springs from national spring. (height of your block+extra ht needed to level with the kit on = the extra ht of the spring you need) Personally: I'd rock the stock BDS kit with the blocks, and replace the rear spring only if they're truly needed.
-
I was about to recommend Carli, but I only see coil suspensions 2005+ on their site.

 

[Saline]

Thanks,
I'll check out BDS. I do happen to have two respected spring shops where I live so I imagine I could have custom rear packs built or modified if I needed.

 

[surlydiesel]

I was going to suggest to get loaded down and go to a spring shop. Get some very nice shocks and have a set of rears and fronts built with no blocks and with the lift you want with your max load. Pics of the truck???

-jorge

 

[norcal*PWRstroke]

Icon!
lots of options
4.5" Hanger Lift
they have a 4" leaf spring lift also
or for 6" lift could do a 1.5" add a leaf in the front coupled with the 4.5" icon hangers.
and they also have an all spring 6" lift
Springs are DEAVER brand made for Icon, some of the best!
http://http://www.iconvehicledynamics.com/store/categories/Ford/1999-%252d-2004-Super-Duty/Complete-Suspension-Systems/

 

[Kowboy]

I got the same truck and I'm goin' with the 6" ICON all-spring lift on mine. Got 10" travel airbags mounted inboard of the spring pack so won't hinder articulation. Air bags will operate independently with onboard air system and have controls in the dash so can adjust height and correct for off-camber situations. This set up will also allow for easy camper levelin' in camp.

I take delivery of my Hallmark Milner December 10th.

This pic shows the current fabwork for the brackets on top of the rear ProRock 80. High-clearance traction bar yet to be fabricated to prevent axle wrap. :ylsmoke:

Work bein' performed at Iron Pig Offroad in Fredericksburg, VA.

Carry on.

 

[98dango]

There is a million options but Icon is the best. That said I am doing x springs 2" helpers and 1" shackle for the front. The rear will be a shackle flip and 2" longer shackle to ditch the blocks. I don't like over arched springs.

 

[jdinevens]

Icon does make a 4" all spring lift kit fot the SD but its not where you'd expect it to be

check out the 5" inch excursion lift kit, all of the same part numbers for the 4" SD but with a rear spring instead of blocks

X: http://www.iconvehicledynamics.com/...2005-Ford-Excursion-5"-Suspension-System.html

SD: http://www.iconvehicledynamics.com/...per-Duty-F250-{47}-F350-4"-Spring-System.html

I would strongly suggest the adjustable track bar as well.

http://www.iconvehicledynamics.com/...0-{47}-F350-Adjustable-Pan-Rod-Track-Bar.html

I went through the same dilema and I love how it rides now, I also got some Bilstein 5100 shocks and steering stabalizer

 

[Flys Lo]

Most people have already mentioned Icon - (previously Donahoe Racing), between them and Carli, they produce typically the highest quality of lift kits for Fords.

For those that mentioned bags, all the commercially available ones at a reasonable price have limited travel (typically 5-6"), which is typically mostly used in compression, depending on how you space down the upper bag mount, you typically will only get up to an inch in height gained if you air your bags right up.
Unless they are designed to be long travel bags (Kelderman/Carli bags etc.) they typically are only suitable for regaining the sag under heavy load.

I got the same truck and I'm goin' with the 6" ICON all-spring lift on mine. Got 10" travel airbags mounted inboard of the spring pack so won't hinder articulation. Air bags will operate independently with onboard air system and have controls in the dash so can adjust height and correct for off-camber situations. This set up will also allow for easy camper levelin' in camp.

I take delivery of my Hallmark Milner December 10th.

This pic shows the current fabwork for the brackets on top of the rear ProRock 80. High-clearance traction bar yet to be fabricated to prevent axle wrap. :ylsmoke:

Work bein' performed at Iron Pig Offroad in Fredericksburg, VA.

Carry on.

Out of Curiosity, what airbags are they?

 

[Saline]

Thanks for the info!

Back to the search again for the right truck. Due to a lack of proper paperwork on the seller's end the deal is off. So frustrating, it was the perfect truck for what I wanted to do. ugh!

 

[Saline]

Well it seems that this truck might be mine after all. Long story but here it is. Hopefully i'll take possession of it the 1st week of Dec.
2002 F250 4x4 XLT 7.3L
Immaculate with only 110, 000 miles!!



Still going to do a few things to it. Lift, bigger trans cooler, tires and possibly regear to 4:10's and get rid of the bling wheels.

 

[lndhark]

Can't wait to see what you do with it. Loved your SMB (and pics of your travels on the SMB Forum) so I have high hopes for the new rig! Are you gonna paint this one dark Estate Green like your EB50 was? :sombrero:

 

[Saline]

Thanks man!

I regret selling the SMB but at the time it was the right decision. Things have turned around and once again I will be building up a rig for long off the beaten path trips. Although I didn't have the 6.0L issues many had when I had the SMB, I was always worried about it when traveling. With the limited number of 7.3L vans out there I gave up on the van search and decided to go the truck/camper route.
I will be able to have a good setup for around $40k instead of $60-$80k.

 

[norcal*PWRstroke]

has it had any transmission overhaul yet? at that mileage the 4r100 could go at anytime regardless of how meticulous it was taken care of. that mileage is barely break in on the 7.3l tho amazing motors
uncle has an 02 just like that 65k tranny went but he did tow. rebuilt one had issues and was fixed under warranty.
dad 01 went at 100k rarely towed both truck are very well taken care of
once you have them overhauled by a reputable co they usually never have issues again