Official Lowered 4x4 thread

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  #511  
Old 08-29-2016, 02:54 PM
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no i couldn't find any. look at tasca parts.
 
  #512  
Old 08-30-2016, 01:23 PM
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Thanks. Tasca has them. Thank you for the help.
 
  #513  
Old 08-30-2016, 10:13 PM
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Originally Posted by ARpowhound
I just called the dealer, they want $112 a piece for 2wd U bolts, not a set, a piece. Anyone that has done this very install, would you please provide the part numbers. I have found some struts on eBay for $120 a piece, but if new ones are close to that price, I would buy new.
Just ordered mine through Stengel Bros. 9/16x18threadx3 1/16 x8 ⅜. Ran me $50. You can also go through SD Springs. I think I remember them being $5 more than Stengel. Struts are going to be about that price anywhere. I'm still price checking them everywhere I go and I think the cheapest is auto zone at $92 a piece. Good luck and congrats on the new truck! I like the 14's more than the 15's but let's keep that between us ;-)
 
  #514  
Old 08-31-2016, 04:43 AM
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My 16 FX4... 2/4 crown suspension kit




 
  #515  
Old 08-31-2016, 10:19 AM
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looks really dang good boosted.
 
  #516  
Old 08-31-2016, 08:18 PM
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Sharp truck. Like the blue accents. What tire size?
 
  #517  
Old 09-01-2016, 12:45 AM
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Thanks! 305/40R23 on saleen 23's
 
  #518  
Old 09-06-2016, 10:23 PM
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Originally Posted by ARpowhound
Hello, I'm new to the forum. I just picked up a '14 FX4. I'm wanting to lower it by just taking the rear blocks out, then installing 2wd struts & shocks. My question to y'all that have done this, is where are y'all getting your parts? I just called the dealer, they want $112 a piece for 2wd U bolts, not a set, a piece. Anyone that has done this very install, would you please provide the part numbers. I have found some struts on eBay for $120 a piece, but if new ones are close to that price, I would buy new. I'll probably just run a couple of washers or try to see if rear block will go on top to take up some room for threads not to bottom out.
Thanks for the great info thus far.
I forget the costs but here's what I bought back when I lowered mine in Nov 2011 .... I used their washers and deep well nuts and before cutting excess off .... did all my torqueing evenly with some drives in between .... and after all done, threaded 4 more regular nuts up against the Stengel nuts and "locked" them and cut off excess even with second nut.

Stengel Bros.U-Bolt Kits - Square Bend Ubolts U-bolt kits that include two square bend Ubolts, four deep nuts and four hard washers. I used # 361-434 http://stengelbros.com/U-boltKits.htm __ Square Bend 9/16 x 3.0625 inside x 8.375 long Grade 5 (2 U-bolts per kit with nuts and washers 9/16-18 X 3-1/16 X 8-3/8 ). http://www.stengelbros.net/361-434-S...Kit_p_367.html
ref is made to oem # D7TZ5455A, E7TZ5455A

Here's an interesting write up on torque values. http://www.stengelbros.com/u-bolts/#Torque

Looks like you got same ones .... I think they were shy of $40 in 2011.
Originally Posted by cwhitt
Just ordered mine through Stengel Bros. 9/16x18threadx3 1/16 x8 ⅜. Ran me $50. ... etc ...
 

Last edited by tbear853; 09-06-2016 at 10:37 PM.
  #519  
Old 09-08-2016, 01:53 PM
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Originally Posted by tbear853

Looks like you got same ones .... I think they were shy of $40 in 2011.

Yup! Compared the price of stengel bros. and took into account that someone else has used them with no problems when making my decision between them and SD Springs.
BTW bear, it's funny how one of my first posts had you and 05RedFX4 posting in it and now yalls trucks are inspiration for the vision to my 05 DSG. I'm constantly looking at both your pictures.
 

Last edited by cwhitt; 09-08-2016 at 04:36 PM.
  #520  
Old 09-08-2016, 03:18 PM
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Originally Posted by cwhitt
BTW bear, it's funny how one of my first posts had you and 05RedFX4 posting in it and now yalls trucks are inspiration for the vision to my 05 DSG. I'm constantly looking are your pictures.
Your welcome, glad I could help. This my favorite pic of the 07 while it was lowered.

 
  #521  
Old 09-15-2016, 10:28 AM
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Originally Posted by cwhitt
Yup! Compared the price of stengel bros. ... etc ... BTW bear, it's funny how one of my first posts had you and 05RedFX4 posting in it and now yalls trucks are inspiration for the vision to my 05 DSG. ... etc ...
They (Stengel Bros U-bolts) certainly have been good for me .... I just painted them well as they aren't plated.

05RedFX4's was largely the one that got my attention as well .... the truck drives great and every time the "Wife Unit" and I get in or out .... we reap an added benefit. It's also amazing how much a 2" drop from stock 4X height reduced that "reach over the bed side" stretch.
 
  #522  
Old 09-15-2016, 02:12 PM
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What 2/2 drop kit you have? I just got done pulling the rear blocks & put some Eibach 2wd shocks on the back. It only dropped it 1". I'm still 2" higher in the rear. I'm at 36.6" from ground to fender top in front, 38" in rear (was 39"). Thanks for all the help.
 
  #523  
Old 09-15-2016, 06:17 PM
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Originally Posted by ARpowhound
What 2/2 drop kit you have? I just got done pulling the rear blocks & put some Eibach 2wd shocks on the back. It only dropped it 1". I'm still 2" higher in the rear. I'm at 36.6" from ground to fender top in front, 38" in rear (was 39"). Thanks for all the help.
I see now that your's is a 2014 .... how thick were the blocks you removed?

I wrote a thread about mine at https://www.f150online.com/forums/20...yesterday.html but I also posted at post #251 in this here thread we are in. I didn't use a "kit". Mine had 2" high factory blocks ..... but I think some used shorter blocks maybe???
 

Last edited by tbear853; 09-15-2016 at 06:20 PM.
  #524  
Old 09-15-2016, 10:20 PM
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I think I read somewhere that the later models (newer than the 04-08 models) have smaller factory blocks.
I think tbear has some kind of weird model though....one that makes it so that minimal modification makes a HUGE difference and looks amazing....while mine on the other hand takes huge modification for a tiny difference that nobody other than myself can make out lol.
 
  #525  
Old 09-16-2016, 10:53 AM
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Cwhitt ..... Your's looks great now, but I think you'll love it lowered. Might have to go shorter on tires, down to 32 /33" OAD when you get there ..... but you'll love getting in and out ..... and then there's the "road manners".
Originally Posted by cwhitt
I think I read somewhere that the later models (newer than the 04-08 models) have smaller factory blocks.
I think tbear has some kind of weird model though....




I know there are "differences" over the years. Mine's sticker shows a date 06-07-07, it has the 3.55 gearing and 7,200 GVW rating with oem 20" wheels. Mine has the single top or main leaf with a long second leaf under it and then the shorter & much thicker in center, tapered at ends heavy (overload?) leaf under that for a total of 3 leaves. My OEM spacers were exactly 2" high and had no taper at all, and all I did was remove them? Really! (well, I did use shorter U bolts)

OEM set up before my lowering in 2011:

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I do still have the FX4 rear shocks in place but when measured for suspension travel (axle now to bump stop) and compressed length (of oem 4X shocks), if the rear axle bottoms on the bounce stops the shocks will be about as short as they can be and be bottomed ..... so if that's looks possible in my use, I'll have to load lighter or get some 2WD shorter rear shocks if I don't want to risk damage to shock mounts (I really did remove the rear wheel and measure and draw in scale suspension movement from ride to compressed including shock mounting locations).

I too have read that some models have 4 leaves total and shorter spacers, but I forget what years / models / GVW ratings they were. I have read some posts about broken springs .... but those usually are from northern / colder climates or heavily loaded "work" trucks it seems.

If I ever started hauling heavier then I'd add some sort of air bag assist I think ..... adjustable for load. Have Air Lifts on our Mercury GM and when unloaded I have them vented to atmosphere with Schrader valve out. As it is, I have a '77 F150 for "loads" like a ton plus wood pellets, etc ... and a trailer with 3,500 lb axle that'll haul a decent load if needed ..... so the '07 sees things like luggage, Costco shopping, gas can fill ups, .... lighter stuff.

I did once consider using some longer "lowering" shackles at the rear to take another inch or so off the height at rear ..... but after all was said and done, I found that I liked the rake it had and had accomplished my goal .... and so I stopped here. When I ever R&R shocks .... I'll likely use shocks intended for a 2X4 on both ends and then there'll be no cuts and welds at front (anyone considering this, refer to post #251 .... I was extremely cautious / careful to NOT heat up the shock body / fluid as you'll see) or possibility of bottoming the rear shocks.
 

Last edited by tbear853; 04-11-2019 at 07:57 PM.


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