well, just got back from Big-O Tires. But let's rewind a little. On 3/20/06 to the tune of $99.46 Ford installed a Camber Kit on my truck to help bring my alignment geometry back to spec. Between then and about a week and a half ago I went out of alignment, pulling to the right. I've also had a noise coming from my front left suspension while going over small bumps (bumps like asphault cracks being filled with tar to keep crack from spreading, or manhole covers in the roads here) which developed into a significant noise during that time frame. I had Ford check it out and they said everything suspension wise was fine (had them check during Camber install). I drove back from Albuquerque last night/this morning and finally just said screw it and went to Big-O. Asked them to do an alignment and check my front suspension for anything loose or out of normal other than the obvious whacked out alignment. $159.38 later I now also have an exsentric kit now and a new alignment warrantied for 6 months/6K miles. And the front suspension noise.....Apparently my Left upper control arm was loose and my lower left ball joint is going! The control arm was tightened and I couldn't afford the $50 parts and $90 labor for the ball joint.

I graduate college this Saturday; mom flies in this Thursday. We're going to have fun with Ford. So now, next items up for bid are a lower ball joint, idler pulley, and tensioner pulley. I CANNOT WAIT to afford the damn RCD kit to beef up this front suspension.

 

sounds like fun. lol

congrats on hte graduation.

i hope that RCD satisfies your needs. idk if it will.

 

Thanks.

It may or may not. For this issue, no actually. But there's other reasons why I want the lift. Like the fact that I have 4 33X12.5X15s downstairs, 3 in my utility closet, and the 4th in a kitchen closet. I got them, plus Alcoas, and a 3 in PA BL from DeviousFred for $250. I'll probably ditch the BL. It has everything except the instructions and would allow me to fit the 33x12.5s, but even with it on Fred was still getting rubbing on his sway bar at full lock. The tires have something like 1-1.5K miles on em. I might be willing to do an even trade for 33X10.5X15s with similar mileage, but I'm keeping the 2nd set of alcoas. That is if anyone might be interested, but then again this is a rant post not a classified ad.

 

i just recently installed a 3" BL on a 04 LVL 2 with stock alcoas and 33x12.5 tires and it does not rub. actually i thought that the truck looked good with it.

 

it does look good, but Fred was getting rubbing (he pointed it out to me while we pulled the BL off his truck). Fred also drove the hell out of his truck and claimed that with the BL on he was getting about 8 mpg. My trip to Albuquerque Saturday-Sunday resulted in 468.3 miles of driving. First fill-up was 236.2/13.525 = 17.5 mpg; 2nd was 232.1/11.813 = 19.6 mpg...average the 2 and I saw 18.55 mpg round trip. I think I like that over a supposed 8 mpg. Some mileage loss would be regained when I regear though.

 

Yah 3 inches, and your truck is a lvl 2, it'd fit fine. RCD is pretty damn expensive just to fit 33s.. Altho lots of lift is great.

Aaron

 

that it is, but I don't want the torsion bars. I've smacked the torsoin plates too many times. So far I've only had to replace 1 plate. And damn it I need to stop sitting here and study for my botany final tomorrow.

 

how did he figure his mpg? did he take into consideration his 33s?

 

not sure. I actually have a PM out to him on ORR right now. If I can get a set of instructions for the BL I might be tempted to order the shift extender I need so that I can install the kit. AND I have Sat-Tuesday off next week, plenty of time to install the BL.

 

definatly. i would atleast try it.

 

hmmm, anyone have instructions to the 70033 PA kit....Ford/Mazda B 2001-05

 

8mpg, wow. I never got below 16 mpg with my b/l and 33's I had a 3.0 w/ 4.10's.

 

ive got some. let me bring it into work and i will scan it in as a PDF for ya. or just make a copy then mail it.

PM me your email or snail mail address.

 

Yeah, I told Fred I thought 8 was pretty low.

 

ya he doesnt know what he is talking about you dont get 8mpg for god sakes.....


and another thing TONS of rangers rub on the sway bar with bigger tires at fill crank this WILL NOT affect normal driving you only go full crank in a parking lot or hard wheeling. just install it and be done with it your worring WAY to much here. and yes my truck even rubs on the sway bar...SOOO you dont turn it to full lock its really simple to learn...

 

Either will work. I also have an e-mail out to PA requesting instructions. The fun part is I have all tools needed minus an air compressor and impact gun. And a welder for the bed supports.

 

Ahhh, see that's where my problem is. I use my full turning radius. This is especially so when I'm out at night road cruising for snakes and pull quick U-turns. 9.9 times out of 10 I'm at full lock.

 

well i did mine with hand tools. except for the bed supports.

ill give you an update on the instruction tomorrow.

 

PA e-mailed the instructions to me. Fred said something about having to do some drilling on OEM body mounts for accomodate a thicker bolt. I want to say it was front end, but I also want to say I could answer my questions through searching instead of being a lazy ***

 

nevermind.....

 

..........? If I remember correctly you had the RCD as well Andrew. Were you going to mention something regarding it or the BL?

 

FYI a camber kit IS an eccentric and bolt kit, someone ripped you off.

as for the BL, you do have to drill out some body bushings to 1/2 inch to use the larger stronger bolts that come wtih the kit.

 

I REALLY don't like hearing that. But, I can't focus on that right now. I have a final in 1.5 hour. I do have both receipts in front of me; one from when Ford put the camber kit on (2 bolts) and yesterday's possible rip-off.

 

ok glad u got the instructions. i forgot to grab mine last night.

 

its the front 2 bushings.