Lowering 4x4 questions
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Lowering 4x4 questions
Hey, just got back from the shop to test a small drop and just have a few simple questions. I'll start with just letting you know the basics though.
2001 F150 XL 4x4 extended cab and reg box. Nothing fancy, used to be my dads work truck but only has 130 000 Kms on it. I don't off road it as it's still in pretty nice shape. I use it as a DD and I fix motorcycles as a bit of a hobby. So I'm only dropping it to get the back end lower to make it easier to load and unload the bikes.
Gonna lower it just by removing the factory spacer block from the rear and then drop the front to make it level to the weight of having my motor cycle in the back. So I'm going to start by removing the blocks, then load my bike and ramp into the back, then back off the torsion bars to set the front height to make it look level. Already tested the front by just backing off the torsion keys as far as I felt safe with and got about 1 1/4" drop out of the front and the rear is just a 2" spacer block
So now the questions.
1. What U-bolts should I order for the rear? Was going to just reuse the old ones, but it runs out of thread about 1/4 inch too short. Was thinking to just order the 2wd ones.
2. What will I have to worry about with the front end's bump stops. Do I shave them, leave them or remove them? Or maybe put the ones from a 2wd in? And any idea how easy it'll bottom out?
3. Any suggestions on what kind of shocks should I look for to try and stiffen up the ride a tiny bit? Needs them anyway, so might as well put nicer ones in.
Hope I didn't miss anything. I have searched the other threads about lowering them. Didn't find the answers to these questions.
2001 F150 XL 4x4 extended cab and reg box. Nothing fancy, used to be my dads work truck but only has 130 000 Kms on it. I don't off road it as it's still in pretty nice shape. I use it as a DD and I fix motorcycles as a bit of a hobby. So I'm only dropping it to get the back end lower to make it easier to load and unload the bikes.
Gonna lower it just by removing the factory spacer block from the rear and then drop the front to make it level to the weight of having my motor cycle in the back. So I'm going to start by removing the blocks, then load my bike and ramp into the back, then back off the torsion bars to set the front height to make it look level. Already tested the front by just backing off the torsion keys as far as I felt safe with and got about 1 1/4" drop out of the front and the rear is just a 2" spacer block
So now the questions.
1. What U-bolts should I order for the rear? Was going to just reuse the old ones, but it runs out of thread about 1/4 inch too short. Was thinking to just order the 2wd ones.
2. What will I have to worry about with the front end's bump stops. Do I shave them, leave them or remove them? Or maybe put the ones from a 2wd in? And any idea how easy it'll bottom out?
3. Any suggestions on what kind of shocks should I look for to try and stiffen up the ride a tiny bit? Needs them anyway, so might as well put nicer ones in.
Hope I didn't miss anything. I have searched the other threads about lowering them. Didn't find the answers to these questions.
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Joined: May 2004
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From: Longmont, CO
I just did this to my 1999 xlt scab this past weekend, since the U-bolts were a tad to short I just added 2 large washers under the nut and cranked it tight. Lowered the torsion keys and have yet to hit the bump stops and I've taken it over dirt roads with craters for pot holes. The only thing that is necessary is an alignment, I am waiting for the alignment because I'm still going to get the Belltech 2" drop kit when I get my new wheels and tires. The ride quality didn't change much, it feels a bit softer and I'm running Bilstein shocks. The truck handles better, but I think the rear shocks may be too long (may need the 2wd rear shocks). The front shocks seem perfect.
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I just did this to my 1999 xlt scab this past weekend, since the U-bolts were a tad to short I just added 2 large washers under the nut and cranked it tight. Lowered the torsion keys and have yet to hit the bump stops and I've taken it over dirt roads with craters for pot holes. The only thing that is necessary is an alignment, I am waiting for the alignment because I'm still going to get the Belltech 2" drop kit when I get my new wheels and tires. The ride quality didn't change much, it feels a bit softer and I'm running Bilstein shocks. The truck handles better, but I think the rear shocks may be too long (may need the 2wd rear shocks). The front shocks seem perfect.
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From: Houston
https://www.f150online.com/forums/su...x4-thread.html
just get 2wd u-bolts and 2wd shocks
the front bumpstops are fine if you're using the oem torsion keys to lower it, you will not hit them at all with just backed out oem keys.
just get 2wd u-bolts and 2wd shocks
the front bumpstops are fine if you're using the oem torsion keys to lower it, you will not hit them at all with just backed out oem keys.
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Wow, didn't actually expect to get all those answered so quick. Thanks everyone 
Also, I guess I got 1 more question just for fun. I've seen someone do the axle flip in the rear to get the back down a total of 6". Wouldn't really be worried about anything in the rear, but what would it take to make the front end still operate properly that low?
Also, I guess I got 1 more question just for fun. I've seen someone do the axle flip in the rear to get the back down a total of 6". Wouldn't really be worried about anything in the rear, but what would it take to make the front end still operate properly that low?
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From: Houston
Wow, didn't actually expect to get all those answered so quick. Thanks everyone
Also, I guess I got 1 more question just for fun. I've seen someone do the axle flip in the rear to get the back down a total of 6". Wouldn't really be worried about anything in the rear, but what would it take to make the front end still operate properly that low?
Also, I guess I got 1 more question just for fun. I've seen someone do the axle flip in the rear to get the back down a total of 6". Wouldn't really be worried about anything in the rear, but what would it take to make the front end still operate properly that low?
you really can only go about 4-5" in the front from stock without serious modification.
I have chevy torsion keys in mine which gave me about 4-4.5" drop
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I had called Ford to get a quote on the 2wd U-bolts. They wanted 44$ a piece. Called around, found a custom spring and drive line shop that will make them same day for about 40$ for the set. If you have set that are in good shape, you could probably cheap out and get an extra inch or so of thread tapped onto them.
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Joined: Jan 2008
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From: Houston
I had called Ford to get a quote on the 2wd U-bolts. They wanted 44$ a piece. Called around, found a custom spring and drive line shop that will make them same day for about 40$ for the set. If you have set that are in good shape, you could probably cheap out and get an extra inch or so of thread tapped onto them.
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^^^ Nah, if it's only 40$ for a new set then I'll spend the extra cash
Edit: I did think of doing the same as mikeyss just till I found a proper set. But I had actually tossed the truck on a hoist. Lowered the front and had had removed the blocks in the rear and since I was in such a convenient situation of using a 4 post hoist, I just put the block back in and lifted the front back up
Edit: I did think of doing the same as mikeyss just till I found a proper set. But I had actually tossed the truck on a hoist. Lowered the front and had had removed the blocks in the rear and since I was in such a convenient situation of using a 4 post hoist, I just put the block back in and lifted the front back up
Last edited by 09YellowR1; Mar 26, 2012 at 06:58 PM.
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From: Longmont, CO
Don't worry 
, I'm planning to. This is a temporary setup, I wanted to see if removing the factory rear lift, and turning down the front torsions would lower it enough to satisfy me. I decided I still want it a little lower, so I'm looking at a lowering kit. I do not drive the truck much at this point.
, I'm planning to. This is a temporary setup, I wanted to see if removing the factory rear lift, and turning down the front torsions would lower it enough to satisfy me. I decided I still want it a little lower, so I'm looking at a lowering kit. I do not drive the truck much at this point.
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Don't worry , I'm planning to. This is a temporary setup, I wanted to see if removing the factory rear lift, and turning down the front torsions would lower it enough to satisfy me. I decided I still want it a little lower, so I'm looking at a lowering kit. I do not drive the truck much at this point.
, I'm planning to. This is a temporary setup, I wanted to see if removing the factory rear lift, and turning down the front torsions would lower it enough to satisfy me. I decided I still want it a little lower, so I'm looking at a lowering kit. I do not drive the truck much at this point.
