Level Your Playing Field

Made from high-grade steel, the spacers raise the front of the vehicle 1.5 to 2.5-inches, giving the vehicle a better stance and improved appearance. The kit does not change the overall suspension or steering geometry and the truck retains its OEM ride quality. It does, of course, increase ground clearance, allowing for the new Pro Comp 8128 Series Alloy's and XTreme Mud Terrain tires that will be part of this install.

As with many things in life, we understand the reasons why people do things. But it doesn't mean that we have to like them. Such is the case with many pickup manufacturers that engineer a slight nose-down attitude into their trucks. We're sure that they figure when the truck bed is fully loaded, this weight will level the truck, thus ensuring better handling characteristics. But for the 98% of the time the truck is unloaded, this snout droop is not only unattractive, it may even adversely affect handling and could cause an over-steer condition.
That is where Pro Comp's new Level Lift Kit comes in. Though it comes in various forms to fit various vehicles (spacer or torsion keys), the Level Lift unit for this 2007 F-150 is the spacer type. Made from high grade steel and featuring a black powder-coated finish, the spacer sits atop the strut and adds 2-inches of clearance to the front end of the truck.

 

Pulling the struts out is relatively easy. With the truck on a lift (secured fore and aft with screw jacks), the steering tie rod end is dropped and the upper ball joint is separated from the spindle. This will allow the suspension to sag enough to drop out the strut.

This additional clearance gives an improved look while retaining the stock OEM steering geometry and ride quality, it also allows for larger diameter wheels and tires to be used. Pro Comp says that depending on the application, 32 to 37-inch tires can be installed. In the case of this Ford, a set of 33-inch Pro Comp Xtreme M/T tires fits nicely.
While the Level Lift can be installed onto the stock strut, Pro Comp does offer their ES series nitrogen charged shock that is a direct replacement for the stock unit, and since it is nitrogen charged it will last longer under arduous conditions and still give precise valving and feel. Pro Comp also offers their ES9000 shocks to replace the stock rear shocks. Both shocks are a direct replacement for the stock units.

 

This wall-mounted spring compressor is a safety must as the strut is under a great deal of pressure, and simply loosening the top nut without first compressing the spring will result in the cap being launched upwards (possibly at your head). So this is a job best left to those who have the proper tools. The spring remains in the compressor and shock drops out the bottom.

With the addition of the larger than stock wheels and tires (or a gearing change, for that matter), the speedometer will not accurately display the correct miles per hour. In the old days, the drive gear in the tranny had to be replaced. Now that trucks are computer controlled, fixing this problem is only a click away. Pro Comp's new Accu Pro Calibration Tool plugs directly into the vehicle's diagnostic port and allows the computer to be modified to read the diameter of the new tires so that the speedo is accurate. The unit can also read and clear vehicle DTC's (diagnostic trouble codes).

 

 

 

Ready to be installed, the new Pro Comp ES6000 shock is equipped with the Level Lift spacer and stock spring.

We were on hand as the crew at the Chula Vista, California 4 Wheel Parts Performance Center installed the Pro Comp Level Lift Kit onto this 2007 Ford F150. Due to the need of a sturdy, wall mounted spring compressor, this is a job that should be done by professionals. The result is that the Ford looks great and is much more off-road friendly.
So if you are thinking that your truck needs something, but don't want to go for a full suspension lift, the Level Lift could be just what you are looking for

 

A hydraulic jack is used to lift the spindle into place and with nuts tightened on, the installation of the Level Lift spacers is done.

Sources
Pro Comp Suspension
www.ProCompUSA.com

Pro Comp Tire and Wheels
www.ProCompTires.com

4 Wheel Parts Performance Center
1247 Broadway Ave.
Chula Vista, CA
619-425-4337
www.4WheelParts.com

The rear ES9000 shocks simply bolt in place using the stock hardware.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Recalibrating the vehicles' computer to the new tire size couldn't be easier. The Accu Pro unit is plugged into the vehicle's diagnostic port and leads the operator through the steps. The process takes about ten minutes, and most of that is the Accu Pro reading the existing and then loading in the new codes.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The finishing touch to the lift is the addition of the Pro Comp 8128 Series Alloy wheels with Pro Comp XTreme Mud Terrain tires (LT285/70R-17), the wheels feature a faux bead lock look with a gloss black inner section and the combination really makes the Ford look great.