Washer lift

[Haywire6000]

Okay boys and girls, I plan on doing the "washer lift" on the front of my 93. I would like to get 2" of lift but even 1.5" would make me happy. The question is, how thick should my lift washer stack be? I thought I read some where that there is a spring lift to actual lift ratio ( not sure if that makes sense). Or is it as simple making the stacks 2" tall and I get 2" of lift?

 

[lil_Blue_Ford]

In the past, there has been debate over the washer lift...

You may want to check into local lift laws, a stack of washers under the coil may not pass inspection if you plan to run it on the road.

If you do use washers, I would highly recommend at least tacking them together with a welder.

The height of the stack will be governed by the height of the stud for retaining the coil spring, you'll need enough stud left to put the retainer washer and nut back on. Usually 1.5" is the most you can get. You actually gain slightly more than that at the wheel because of the design of the axle beam, but I wouldn't worry too much about the calculations.

Another option would be finding F-150 spring perches. They'll provide around 1.5" of lift and will typically pass inspection for streetable vehicles.

 

[LIMA BEAN]

Okay boys and girls, I plan on doing the "washer lift" on the front of my 93. I would like to get 2" of lift but even 1.5" would make me happy. The question is, how thick should my lift washer stack be? I thought I read some where that there is a spring lift to actual lift ratio ( not sure if that makes sense). Or is it as simple making the stacks 2" tall and I get 2" of lift?

Don't know if you scoped this out in the tech section linky. http://www.therangerstation.com/tech_library/WasherCoilSpacers.shtml

 

[straycat]

Just do a spring spacer lift. Safer to do so. They last longer as well. Nobody around my area has ever done a washer lift. You can get the spring spacer lifts at many locations on the 'Net, or check your local 4x4 shop.

 

[scotts90ranger]

a lot of the spring spacer lifts are plastic, I'd much rather trust 1" of steel under the spring than 1" of plastic... There's only room on the stud for about 1" of washers (I welded mine together, but probably not 100% necessary) which gives roughly 1.5" of lift. You can see my washer lift here:

 

[Haywire6000]

I spent some time under there and think I'm just going to install new leveling springs. The springs are sagging as it is, I think lifting them is just dumb at this point. Plus with just me getting into the truck it will drop quite a bit. After much thought I'm gonna go with these:

http://www.roughcountry.com/ford-suspension-lift-kit-9264-4.html

 

[straycat]

a lot of the spring spacer lifts are plastic, I'd much rather trust 1" of steel under the spring than 1" of plastic... There's only room on the stud for about 1" of washers (I welded mine together, but probably not 100% necessary) which gives roughly 1.5" of lift. You can see my washer lift here:

You are right about the plastic spacers. I have never seen one around here before. I did not mention them. I would only use the metal or aluminum spacers. Much safer and they last longer as well. Welded washers have known to rust and at times break at the welds. If you do use them just inspect them a lot to make sure they do not come apart. Just common sense.

 

[SenorNoob]

You really only need a few washers if you use thick ones. (IE "Dock Washers")

Without a stud extender there isn't much to be had there though. I used 2 0.5 inch washers (The most I could go and still get the nut on.) and just got my sag from junkyard springs back to stock height.