I just can't make up my mind. Go BIG with a 6" lift, or go with a 4" Rancho lift. I have a 2004 lariat supercab with the 18" rims and 31" tires. I don't want to spend the cash for new rims right now (and I actually like the factory rims). I do use this for my everyday driving so I don't want to loose the handling and turning ability. I just don’t want to regret not going BIG. Wondering what you f150 guys (and woman) think.
And if you’re wondering I don’t really take it off road.

 

You are in the same situation I was in. I wanted to keep my Lariat rims too. I really wanted 35's though so I had to buy some wider wheels. If your staying with 31's, I think the 4 inch lift would be plenty. Ristuccia has it and it really seams more like 6 inches of lift out of it. I have the 6 inch pro comp and my bed and his bed are about the same hieght. I believe the pro comp is the most inexpensive lift out (except for the leveling kits which would also work with 33" tires.)

My 6 inch pro comp and 35's



Ristuccia's 4 inch Rancho and 35's



They look about the same to me.

 

How big a tire do you want to run? If you think you will be happy with 33's or 35's and never go bigger you will be fine with the 4 inch lift. If you think there is even a remote chance that you may one day want to go with something larger than a 35, get a 6 inch lift. Which ever lift you decide on, some 35x12.50-18 BFG's would look good on your stock rims untill you decide to upgrade.

 

I think that Rancho has stated that their 4" lift actually brings the truck up about 5.5" in the front. Rancho is just about the same as the 6" lift, they just market it as a 4". Call Rancho and ask them about it to make sure.
Your other option if you dont want to go big and dont take it offroad is a 3" body lift. They usually only cost around $300 for parts compared to the $1300+ for 6" lift parts. I think for your case you are better off with the body lift, you could fit big tires and make no compramise to the suspension system (and of course stay inexpensive).

 

EddyG's right. The Rancho 4" IS 5.5 inches when all said and done. I brought mine to the dealership and all the mechanics were wowed at the strength and structure of my Rancho lift. So I'd still go 4" if I had to do it all over again. Plus, I've been in a couple parking garages where I only had about 1.5" to spare and a 6" owner would have had to walk a few extra blocks.

P.S. I've meet 3 hotties since getting it too!
So it's still impressive enough.

 

Nice rigs for sure. Has anyone seen or used the new lift by Donahoe Racing? I have heard it is the sweetest thing available, and has REAL wheel travel to boot.

 

most of the 6" lifts look a bit nose high to me.... i plan on doing the rancho seems like better quality... no offense to anyone using the 6" tho.. just my opinion on what i've seen

 

Well I took all of you're advice into account an went out to get the Rancho. That is when I found out that MA state law doesn't allow me to raise a vehicle more than 2 inches. Between the police making me take off my window tint and now I can’t raise my own truck, I’m going to look into moving to a less communist state!!!

Thanks anyways.

 

Well, go get the a leveling kit. That will give you the 2" of lift in the front, level out the truck, and allow you to pack some 33s under the truck (on your factory rims that you like). All without being hassled by the man.

 

I've been waiting for Donahoe Racing and Camburg Racing to come out with their lifts. Donahoe's should be out very soon (If not already?) Camburg said they have 3 or 4 more weeks.

 

I live in MA also, and as far as I knew, at least last time I checked, that was not the MA state law for lift kits. According to the local inspection stations, the lift law is not 2". There is a formula: (Wheelbase * Wheeltrack) / 2200. You take the number you get from that, and that is the amount bigger in tires that you can go, and amount bigger in lift you can go, legally. My brother has a 4" in his Superduty, and no one has given him a hard time about it, not even state troopers. Correct me if I am wrong but that was the lift law the last time I checked.

MA Lift Law

Also, where in MA are you located?

 

There are always loopholes in the law. You could go with a leveling kit and a 3 inch body lift.

 

I am enjoying my 6" Pro Comp lift. Always seems to grab folks attention!

 

I'm not sure if the ProComp mx6 adjustable coilovers are shipping yet, but I do know that the Rancho rs9000 adjustable shocks allow me to fine-tune the ride to my preference. In fact, Rancho even has a remote, in-cab adjustment module!

Having gone with regular shocks on a lift for a previous truck, I'll never again use shocks that are not adjustable.

Also, just to echo a previous post, the Rancho kit is VERY solid, and kept my driveline geometry in check (more than you can say for any leveling kit).