Ford keys

txpkup · January 16, 2005

I know there's a lot of mixed feelings about ford keys.

I'm looking for about 2" of clearance (not a big fan of body lifts),

The guy at the place I got my grille guard at said ford keys wears out the ball joints after about 10k miles, and puts a lot of stress the front. In the rear, haven't decided between blocks or add-a-leafs. Don't really know much about either. Maybe you guys could give me some pros and cons?

Thanks for all the help

Worktruck · January 16, 2005

I know there's a lot of mixed feelings about ford keys.
I'm looking for about 2" of clearance (not a big fan of body lifts),

The guy at the place I got my grille guard at said ford keys wears out the ball joints after about 10k miles, and puts a lot of stress the front. In the rear, haven't decided between blocks or add-a-leafs. Don't really know much about either. Maybe you guys could give me some pros and cons?

Thanks for all the help

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I've had F**d keys installed and cranked way up for almost 40K miles. I've seen no excesive wear in the front end at all. I also have a set of Helwig helpers in the rear to level out the stance. Truck rides great and tows real well. Hope this helps.

potz1999 · January 16, 2005

Can't comment on the F**d keys, since I have no experience with them.

For the rear, blocks are the cheapest and easiest to install. Half hour job tops. Blocks also correct for pinion angle. Downside is they add leverage that makes more axle wrap. If you already have axle wrap issues, blocks will only make it worse.

Add-a-leafs are a litle more expensive, harder to install, stiffen your rear suspension, but don't give the extra axle wrap problems.

A third route (which I use) is air bags. Air bags are the most expensive our of the three (~$150-$200), are not too hard to install (~ 2-3 hours), and will help with the axle wrapping. Like add-a-leafs, they will stiffen up your back end. The best thing about them is they are adjustable. It takes to guess work out of making sure your truck sits level. Also, you can pump them up for towing or hauling.

Mine may be an isolated case, but my Firestone air bags have broke 3 times (a bag slide up the spring, bolts on both sides fatigued off, and one air bag completely ripped off.) If I was going this route again, I would try AirLift's heavy duty ones.