Ok, I am new to aftermarket modification and to this forum. I have a 2002 F150 4wd 5.4 liter engine extended cab with 50k miles. If price was not a factor, what would be the best lift, shock, etc modification money could buy?

There is so much information out there it is easy to get lost.

The local offroad shop here recommended the 4" Pro Comp with Bilstein shocks.

From what I can tell from looking online RCD gets the most positive feedback but ProComp, FabTech, and a few others are mentioned as well. However, as the shocks are concerned Bilstein, Fox, Rancho, MX6 all get mentioned. Does this mean that there is not a clear cut top of the line product? No one mentions the installer as a key component. I would think that who installs it would be just as important as what brand.

Give me your opinions please and remember, as if money was not a factor (now it absolutely is, I am just trying to figure out what is best and if I can not afford it will figure out what to do from there).

Thanks
TB

 

Trying this one on all the forums. It all depends on what size tire you want to run and if you go so big your gonna need to spend more on gears too.

 

I am :-) As I mentioned I have researched for weeks and just when I think I have figured it out, someone will write a post that is makes perfect sense not just their opinion and starts the whole debate over in my head. I only want to do this once and want the best. And perhaps, there isnt a "best".

 

If money isn't an issue, off the shelf kits get thrown out the window and I'd either go with long travel or a sas.

 

Can you explain?

 

Long travel if you plan on doing stuff fast and not really feeling it and having a truck that can keep up, sas (solid axle swap) if you wanna do stuff like rock crawling, heavy mud, or just wanna fit a massive tire and want strong suspension to back it. But both could run you easily 8-10k+ at a minimum depending how much work you can do, and what kind of deals you get on components.

 

Pizzaman is correct. But if you're gonna custom one, i myself would SAS, there may be one in my near future if our 91 keeps acting up. the 97-03's are also pretty good candidates for long travel. Keep in mind you will need to remove old mounts and weld in your new ones for the lower A arms if im correct. not sure on the uppers. you will be able to get rid of the torsion bars with bolth!

 

So I will do some offroading with this vehicle but I also use it for driving around town, hunting, etc. The plan is to give this truck to my son in 8-10 years when he gets old enough to drive. Those options sound like they are intended more for offroading, is that a correct assumption? Or would they still be good on the pavement? Thank you for all of the help.

 

yes, bolth are off road setups, but they would work fine. (if set up correctly)

 

If set up right both can make good daily drivers. However that doesn't mean they'd be the right starting vehicles for a kid who just got their license.

 

exactly. Also, you see.... There is this little thing called temptation... been there done that... bla bla bla, it cost me 50 bucks in parts to fix my truck, but i didnt do it again.