Has anyone lowered a 4x4 before? Is it possible? I don't really want a 4x4, but the only truck I have found in the configuration I want, is a FX4. I'm looking for a black reg cab with 5.4 engine.

 

It can be done, but there are more limitations with the 4WD. A 4WD sits 2" higher in the front and 1" higher in the rear than a 2WD. You can easily install the 2WD struts and remove the rear 1" lift block to make it sit like a 2WD. If you want to go lower, you can safely lower the front by another inch by another means (like adjustable struts) and the rear can come down another 2" with shackes.

Any more drop than that you may run into binding issues with the front axles.

And just FYI, the 2004-2008 4.6L feels equally as slow as the 2004-2008 5.4L. I've driven plenty of both. If you don't need 4WD, save your money and get a 2WD. You'll have more lowering options, less stuff to break, and save a little money on gas too.

 

Here you go:
https://www.f150online.com/forums/su...x4-thread.html

 

I've had two 2X4s (both Chevies) and two 4x4s over the years, living in the Shenandoah Valley of Va and with the hills and snow and some trails, I'll keep my 4X4 for now but I too have been eying lowering my FX4 Flareside Scab 2" front and 3" back. Most of my use of 4X4 is traction in snow, the yard, dirt. I don't try to twist it off road so I can photo flex and I don't mudd it ... though I might would have 40 years younger.

If I lived near Charleston and didn't want to cruise a lot of beaches, etc .... I'ld go two wheel drive for sure. Put me some fat tires on it at least as tall as stock and lower the truck a couple inches and I'ld look more strongly at a real Locker or Air Locker for the rear.

Hell, I'ld even maybe run "big'n'littles" on it. Like leave the front stock height or just drop it an inch or so and run a fatter low profile straight tread up front ... and out back run a taller, wider, bigger, (and in winter maybe if needed, a more aggressive tread) tire and lower the rear fenders on them some with a shackle drop.

 

Yeah, when I had my 5.4 Screw, it was really slow when I first got it stock. But, those engines are so limited with the way they are tured from the factory... and those intakes they put on them are CRAP! You can "wake up" that engine a lot with a tune, an intake and exhaust system. I did it with my Screw and it was quick for a Screw. I don't really know anything about the 4.6s' but I imagine they have crappy intakes and are under tuned as well.

 

Is this a joke? Go buy an S10 you clown.

 

 

What the sh*t?

 

kinda have to agree

4x4s stay the same or go up and 4x2 stay or go down

 

haters gonna hate

 

read the other thread.

 

I don't believe that the switch on the dash marked " 2H 4H 4L " knows the difference between stock, lifted, or dropped?

When I want to go up a steep muddy hill or get out on a snow and ice covered roadway to get groceries or gas for the generator or if I want to pull arond back and then later, back up the hill around front with trailer maybe and not wanting to tear up the grass with wheel spin ...... I think my FX4 will do it fine, stock, lifted, or dropped.

On the roads, parking lots, gravel roads, woods paths, friends steep driveway, and interstates I drive 99.44% of the time the lowered stance would do me and the wife much more good than that "need a step ladder" look would.

I know a lower center of mass equates to less roll in turns for a more stable feel. I also don't like to have my wife climbing in and out from up high with her "good clothes" on, doesn't look "dignified".

My Subaru Forester is not lifted, it does great off road?

Those who have a "problem" with lowering a 4X4 have a problem that I can't help them with. I'm just glad it ain't my problem.


Carry on all ........

 

^^ Well said. I think the key is you still keep a lot of practicality of a 4x4 even if lowered some. Sure a stock or lifted one is more capable off road, but that is not the subject of this thread. Basically staying on a improved surface in a situation where traction is not optimal lifted, lowered, stock there is no difference, whoever has tires best suited for the conditions at hand will come out ahead.

 

i wish someone would have taken pictures of me this past weekend at the meet we had, i pulled out a lot of people.

 

To all the haters out there... I really don't understand what the big deal is and why it bothers some people so much if a 4x2 is lifted or a 4x4 is lowered. I mean yeah, it would be ideal to have a 4x4 if you are going to lifted something and you are going to go off roading a lot, but there are a lot of lifted 4x2s out there that see pavement most of the time, and who cares what people do to THEIR trucks. It's always nice to see something different. And not everyone can always have what's ideal. And for lowering a truck, I think it's benificial to lower any truck, 4x2 or 4x4. It's definately more efficient. I don't really need or want a 4x4, but it's hard enough to find a 4x4 reg cab with 5.4L and it is even harder to find a 4x2 in that configuration!

And to all the non-haters on this thread, thanks for all the input and support! It's good to know that you can lower these 4x4's quite a bit before running into problems.