Have you driven a Ford-key-leveled vehicle...

[KMeloney]

Well, I just had Ford keys installed in my '02 Tahoe yesterday.  WOW!  What a difference in looks and ride!

 

First of all, the Tahoe now looks as it SHOULD.  I wondered if I had gotten too used to the raked factory look, and if I wouldn't like a level look.  Well, I immediately appreciated how good things looked with the truck level, such that I didn't want the front raised merely an inch as I had first planned.  I had the truck leveled completely, and it looks fantastic!  Now if only I had done this before the snow storms we got here this year -- I've got some decent clearance at the air dam and side bars now!!!

 

As for the ride quality, I don't think it delined at all.  In fact, I might even prefer it now!  There's no nose dive on braking, and the ride is tight without being the least bit harsh.  What a relief -- I thought the ride could deteriorate, but it simply didn't.

 

If you haven't leveled your truck yet, go ahead and do it.  It's like getting a new truck.

 

Now if only I could still reach the center rear of the hood when waxing... ;)

 

-Kirk

 

PS -- Thanks to all who helped me feel comfortable with doing this mod!

[hcvone]

Waxing what?        

[KMeloney]

Waxing what?        

Whoooooops!  Sorry -- I meant Zainoing.   :hail:

 

-Kirk

[dukbludvl]

Can you post some pics?  Also, is your rig 2wd or 4wd?  If you know the measurements, can you post to us to let us know what the height to the top of the wheel well used to be and what it is now in in front and rear?

 

My 2000 2wd Yukon is about 35.25" in front and 36" in in rear.  I'd like to get them all up to abot 37" if possible.

 

Will the Ford keys help with this?

[KMeloney]

Can you post some pics?  Also, is your rig 2wd or 4wd?  If you know the measurements, can you post to us to let us know what the height to the top of the wheel well used to be and what it is now in in front and rear?

 

My 2000 2wd Yukon is about 35.25" in front and 36" in in rear.  I'd like to get them all up to abot 37" if possible.

 

Will the Ford keys help with this?

duk -- My vehicle is an '02 Tahoe Z71, so it's 4wd.  I think I started at 35.5" in the front, and 37.5" in the rear.  Now, the front is at 37"  It looks great now!

 

Now, you said you wanted to get the whole vehicle up to 37" -- but I'm not sure how you raise the rear (without some kind of additional lift "kit" or component).  Also, is your Yukon the newer or older (more squared-off) body style?  (I can't remember.)  If it's the newer style, with torsion bars in the front, then I don't know why you wouldn't benefit from the Ford keys (and torsion bar cranking), too.

 

(Someone with more knowledge than me here ought to be able to answer your questions better.)

 

-Kirk

 

PS -- No pics of the truck leveled yet.  I can't seem to find my digital camera.     But as soon as I do, I'll post!

[dukbludvl]

Kirk, thanks for your response.

 

My Yukon is the new body style.  I am planning to crank the torsion bars, so should I also get the Ford keys?

 

What about adding coil spring spacers to the rear?  I have heard that Daystar makes good ones for like $70.  Will that give me 1-2 inches in back without sacrificing ride quality too much?  Then, I could get the Ford keys and crank the t-bars in front.  Do you all think this might work out well?

 

As a side note, I replaced my factory Tenneco shocks with Bilstein HDs.  That lowered the rear b/c I had the self-contained self-leveling shocks back there.  So, I had to buy Bilstein springs and replace the factory ones, which I did yesterday, to get it back to normal ride height and ride characteristics.  However, I don't think they raised the back end back to where it was from the factory.  

 

Help and suggestions on this would be appreciated.  Anyone with a 2wd done anything like what I'm thinking of?

[KMeloney]

duk -- What I learned here (which turned out to be true) is that the Ford keys, alone, don't give you LIFT per se, but give you ADJUSTMENT FLEXIBILITY that you might not get without them.  You still have to crank the TB's with the Ford keys.  However, without them, you might not be able to adjust your ride height just right.

 

For me, I had a half inch of thread to work with on one side of the truck, and 1-7/8" or something on the other.  I would have maxed out the adjustment on the one side before doing the other, meaning I could have only taken the truck up as high as the LEAST amount of adjustment.  But with the Ford keys, you're buying more adjustability (and a little more height, maybe).

 

I haven't looked at the rear of my truck, but it sounds like you could add those spacers without too much change in ride.  The limiting factor in how high you go here, front and rear, is going to be your shaft angles.  You don't want to go so high that you bind your CV joints.  Without actually binding them, you add stress to them the more they're not level.

 

If I were you, I'd start a new thread with questions specific to you application.  Some people who could help might not be paying attention to this thread...

 

-Kirk

[Vibrant93]

I dont mean to steal a thread here but I am really intrested in this one.. I am making an upgrade from my 98 z-71 to a 2000 sierra slt today but I am super bummed out about the front end ride height (as I see others are too).  My question is, what exactly is a "ford key" and where does a guy get a set and how do they go in.  If anyone could go over this for a first timer like myself that would be great.  I play around with cars a bunch so I am pretty sure I would be able to put these in myself just need a little input... The way I understand it is, you put these keys in which allow you to turn the torsion bars more without bind?  Once you have it where you like then just get an alignment?  Thanks a bunch!

[City_Slicker]

Do a search for ford keys, You will probably see hundereds of post and some include pics! :thumb:

[Black02Silverado]

Anyone see the latest issue of Truck Trends?  The question was asked about the infamous Ford Key install to raise the front of our trucks.  They never did answer the question 100% but plain out said "Don't do it".  All they could say is that the truck is built to perform at it's current height and if you adjust the T bars or add the keys then it will not ride or perform like it is suppose to. They suggested that if you wanted to lift to go with a respectable company that offers a kit to lift it.  

 

So to me it is a mystry as to why they will not say it is ok to do. What, will the wheels fall off or something, are the CV joints going to wear out faster and have boot problems? Just lay it on the line and stop beating around the bush.  

 

Anyone else have any thoughts on this?  

 

I don't see what it will hurt.

 

 

[Blueyednd]

I just had mine aligned after the new keys and new tire install and it drives perfectly.  It is a bit "bumpier" as my wife says, but that could be because I no longer have the Firestone "AT" street tires.   I'm very pleased with my keys! :thumb:

[Joe C]

Kirk,

 

Did you do it yourself?

If not, whats the cost?

 

ETC. ETC.

[Chris97K1500]

dukbludvl, are your Bil Coils progressive rate?  If they are, I've always heard not to put spacers on a progressive rate spring, cuz it will preload them making the ride very harsh.  I know a few that have done this (me included) on newer 4Runners with Performance Products springs, we all took the spacer off after about a week.  They were Daystar spacers.  Just letting you know my experiences with spacers and progressive rate springs.  

 

I'd say Truck Trends get paid by suspension companies, they'd lose advertising if they said $40 would fix what companies are selling for hundreds of $$.  Just my opinion!  Chris

[KMeloney]

Kirk,

 

Did you do it yourself?

If not, whats the cost?

 

ETC. ETC.

Hey Joe -- Nope, paid a shop I know to do it.  I think the guy charged me @ $50.  I didn't have the proper tools (and I don't know too much about TB's yet), so I had someone else do it.

 

By all means, have your truck done!  The results are fantastic.

 

-Kirk

[dukbludvl]

I'm not sure if my Bil springs progressive rate.  is there a way to tell that?  Are the factory springs progressive?  I still have those and could put them back on if I have to.  Bil said my springs are copies of the Z71 springs.  I don't know if that's true, cause they're the same as my factory springs and I have a 2000 2wd Yukon SLE.

 

Whatever happens in back, I think I'll also go with the ford keys to level out the front as much as possible.