Lowering rear end
#301
#302
Trevor with PMF and David with OUO both said to go with the 2.5* taper blocks.
#303
Did you order just the blocks themselves or did you get them with the bumpstop or airbag tangs? I do have a little bit of driveline vibration now using the 2" Ford OEM blocks with no taper and was thinking going with the PMF 2" / 2.5* taper blocks with airbags tangs.
Trevor with PMF and David with OUO both said to go with the 2.5* taper blocks.
Trevor with PMF and David with OUO both said to go with the 2.5* taper blocks.
#305
#309
#310
Many thanks!
Sure appreciate the quick reply! My eyesight's been better, it looked like 3, but the seams had me guessing. I'm going to try and post a distillation of sizes / vehicle pairings and summary of advice from this thread momentarily, as I think it's a gold mine for anyone wanting to reverse-level to eliminate some of that rake.
#311
Summary Post Attempt
To all the contributors, I read through this extensive and well-considered thread and was blown away by all the good communal advice. Below, I've tried to combine all the part numbers, and the "things to consider" advice into a single post. Maybe it's my connection, but to scroll through this whole post, and all the pictures, took an extended period of time. By combining it all into a post, I hope to enable others to start with an accurate summary if they have limited time, then go back into the thread for details if time allows.
To that end, if I've posted anything erroneous, please leave me a correction in the thread and I'll edit accordingly. Also, if you have any negative results down the road (e.g. premature component wear or failure), please share those as well.
Summary of 2017/2018 F250/F350 Reverse-Level Advice
Replacement U-bolts (some say optional)
(for exceptions, see chart posted in this thread by VA13FX4)
To that end, if I've posted anything erroneous, please leave me a correction in the thread and I'll edit accordingly. Also, if you have any negative results down the road (e.g. premature component wear or failure), please share those as well.
Summary of 2017/2018 F250/F350 Reverse-Level Advice
Parts:
Rear Block
- Replacement (smaller) 2” Block – (OEM part # 6C3Z-5598-A)
Replacement U-bolts (some say optional)
- F-250 Replacement (11.5”/292mm) OEM U-bolts - # BC3Z-5705-K (base model/3 leaf springs)
or
- F-250 Replacement (13”/330mm) OEM U-bolts - # BC3Z-5705-F (overloaded/4 leaf springs)
or
- F-350 SRW Replacement (14.5”/365mm) OEM U-bolts - # BC3Z-5705-C (overloaded/5 leaf springs)
(for exceptions, see chart posted in this thread by VA13FX4)
Procedure:
- Remove stock u-bolts
- Remove stock rear blocks
- Replace with shorter Ford OEM or aftermarket blocks
- Secure with u-bolts
- Torque to 185# with truck off jack/stands and on ground*
* Confirm torque setting; posters reference varying rates and stages (185 vs 195)
Notes:
- Order 2x blocks (either OEM or aftermarket; aftermarket are available in varying sizes and offsets)
- Order 4x u-bolts (optional per posters; see truck model/leaf combo above for OEM part number pairing)
Recommended OEM parts sources:https://fordparts.com or https://www.tascaparts.com/oem-parts...acer-6c3z5598a
Recommended aftermarket parts source:2017 Ford Superduty Fabricated Lift Blocks
Recommended aftermarket parts source:2017 Ford Superduty Fabricated Lift Blocks
- New OEM u-bolts do not come with nuts, you may re-use originals (24mm)
- Strongly consider re-aligning headlights after modification
- Should be the same process regardless of whether or not truck has a camper package
- Install time varies: 30-90 minutes is an approx. range (shop vs. self)
- Shop labor will likely run ~$120 (location-dependent; shop experience dependent)
- Some posters favor re-using stock u-bolts, additional information at this link: https://www.eatondetroitspring.com/reinstalling-ubolts/
- Consider shock upgrade also when factory shocks are shot (Fox 2.0 have been used successfully; “use the 2016 part number and change the rear lower bushings and sleeves” was posted advice)
#312
Lowered rear 2" using PMF Suspension blocks
Hello everyone,
I referred to this thread several times trying to decide how I was going to level my truck without raising the front end. Thank you to everyone for sharing your info and experiences.
It was enough of a chore for the little lady to get in to the truck after I put 35" tires on it, so I knew better than to raise it even higher.
I ended up using the 1 1/2" blocks with a 2.5 degree taper from PMF Suspension.
Denver Spring and Suspension installed them for me, along with new U-bolts. I attached 'after and before' pictures...
Last edited by Trouble_Is65; 06-29-2018 at 03:01 PM. Reason: change text to clarify picture order
#313
Trouble_Is,
Thanks for sharing - looks great - and a significant level. I'm surprised at how much difference just an inch or two actually makes.
My blocks just came in (the replacement OEM Ford block is less than 2"). My stock blocks were 3" on the nose, so we'll see. I'm shooting to complete it within the week and will post pics once it's finished.
Thanks for sharing - looks great - and a significant level. I'm surprised at how much difference just an inch or two actually makes.
My blocks just came in (the replacement OEM Ford block is less than 2"). My stock blocks were 3" on the nose, so we'll see. I'm shooting to complete it within the week and will post pics once it's finished.
#314
Ok, completed the reverse level on a 2017 F250 XLT w/ Camper and Snow Plow Prep packages with a 6.2L gasser. My stock blocks were 3", the new OEM F150 blocks were approx. 1.5" (a little over 1.5"). It certainly netted over an inch in drop. I took the pics in bad light, but you can see the drop. I superimposed a line along the running board so you can see where it bisects the rear tire. There is a noticeable drop in that point after lowering. Since I have more stout springs (front and rear), and a lighter engine, I may have had less initial rake than some. It looks to me like it still has a slight rake, but not trying to do a headstand now. Inverted the images so you could see the line height delta left-to-right.
Before:
After:
Before:
After:
#315
Have an 18 F350 DRW that I would like to lower the back end on a couple of inches (or whatever amount the new blocks give). I read through the thread and it appears as though the DRW trucks need a different block than SRW? What Ford part number should I look for to accomplish this? Can I lower it a couple inches then still use ride rite or firestone airbags for towing or gooseneck?