I'm driving again this year on my annual mountain bike trip out West. A stop in Fruita for Fat Tire Festival and then off to Moab.
My F-150 has been retired from commuting duty so I can finally do some more mods. Replaced with a Focus ST

I have 115k on my 5.4L 2009 FX4, 20" wheels, tow package w/ebc (I believe I have 4:10s with that?) I still use it for hauling/towing occasionally but mostly it's for hauling the family on road trips or to the trails with mountain bikes or dirt bikes in the bed.

I just did some bed LEDs, wiring up backup 4" LEDs and a 20" Bar on the Bull bar right now.
I need to make the 4000 mi trip without making 4 dudes deaf from road noise and be able to navigate all the sandy/rocky access roads to and from the trails.
Last year we did some of Hell's Revenge in my buddies 4Runner but I don't plan on doing any of that in the SCREW. There is a back way into Arches National Park we did that I will probably do. Clearance and sand traction will be the biggest things for that.

I've spent the last few weeks reading about every thread and pic on tires, wheel, levels but seeing if anyone has specific advice for my situation.

What I had in mind was the Bilstein 5100's at 2.25" and an add a leaf with the 1" longer 5100s in the rear. This seemed the most cost effective and correct way to give me a little level/lift and replace the 7 year old strut/shocks. I'd like to still end up with 1/2" rake or so.

Is there any reason to go for the full coil overs for my use?

I had originally planned on 35x12.5x20 Terra Grapplers but at 79# a tire thinking about just going with 295/60/20 Terra G2s to cut weight and eliminate and rub/ball joint issues.
I'm worried that the 295/60/20 Terras won't fill out the wheel wells though, especially with my fender flares, but also don't want to get 12 MPG on the 4000 mi trip. Any suggestions on another tire/size that still has good highway manners, looks good and has good sand traction? Just do the 35's?

I like my stock FX4 wheels but am open to buying a complete set of wheels/tires if it makes sense.

I'd appreciate yalls input, thanks!

This was 2 years ago outside Crested Butte, CO On the way to Doctor Park.

 

FWIW!

I put the Rancho Quick Lift Loaded's (2" level I think) on my 05. I have about 58k on them, and am quite happy with them. My original struts had 128k on them when I changed them out. I just put BFG All terrains on 2 weeks ago (LT 275/65/18) and am also happy with them too (I have put about 1,400 miles on them already). The plus side with the Rancho's is the dampening is adjustable...I have adjusted mine between 5 and 9 depending on the driving...

My truck sits level ish...depends on how much gas I have in the tank...or where it's sitting...

I think the Rancho's are easier to get...at the time I got mine, the Bilsteins seemed to be on back order...

Wishing you a great trip!

 

If we are at all in the running wait until March 1st for our annual spring rebate.

 

I went with the Bilstein 5100 all around with the 2.25 in the front. I also put 305/65r18 on my stock 18" wheels which came to about a 33.7in tire. It fills the wheel well nice with not issues in rubbing. I did drop about a mile in mpg so far. I am happy with it and it gave me a nice amount of lift.

 

How much does a set of those go for?

 

So we don't sell direct but here is a ROUGH estimate on cost
Front $180x2
Rear $105 x2
Total $570
(rebate off one of the "lowest priced" shock) -$105
Total $470 or so.

 

Thanks guys.
Just got back in town and my 5100's were sitting on the doorstep.
I had looked at the Ranchos and seemed the common thread was the ride and handling just wasn't as good as with the Bilsteins. Although much of that might be that people just don't have them adjusted correctly.

I decided to skip the add-a-leaf as I realized I already had the extra leaf from the tow-package. Will see how the 2.25" looks and maybe go with a bag system if tow performance suffers too bad. My rake right now is close to 3.5" so I think i will be fine with the 2.25".

Also I have 3.73 gears that come with the HD tow package, not 4:10's as I had thought I read in another thread.

Hope to have them on by next week so I will report back with pics!

 

I'm interested to see how much space there is after you get everything done. I just stumbled into a free set of 325/65/18 Terra Grapplers so I'll be lifting the front end of my truck too.

 

I'll be interested in knowing how this works out. Some of the roads in the Moab area would not be suitable for an F150 because the wheelbase is just too long.

I'd wanted to drive the "back road" you talked about into Arches (but in the reverse direction) but gave it up almost immediately due to a VERY steep gully across the road. I don't think any amount of lift would have kept my front and rear ends of the frame off the walls of the gully.

Those kinds of roads need something like a quad.

- Jack

 

Something else to consider adding is a recovery point to the back of your truck. If you were to get stuck there's not a whole lot to tie onto. What I'm doing is adding a set of front tow hooks to the hitch frame like the Raptor. It's pretty easy to do. All you need is a set of tow hooks and a couple of square U bolts.

 

Neglected to come back with pics!
I ended up going with the 35x12.5x20 Nitto Terra Grappler G2s. They definitely have a little road hum over the old 275 Terra Grapplers.
Bilstien 5100's at full 2.25". No change in rear.



No issues with rubbing other than a touch at full lock. Valance was trimmed.

 

It looks like there is a little bit of rake left after the bilsteins....true or false?