I would bet you money that those front shocks will also fit the 2wd. You should call and find out. If you look at some of the other applications that have a 2wd version and 4wd version they are almost always the same shock number. Just call them.

 

I'll do that sometime! thanks

 

Look at the skyjacker 3''


Now the Fabtech 6"


Notice the difference??

 

Ya, the fabtech is missing an axle.

 

I dont like the steering angles on the SykJacker.

I would be anxious to see the axle angle on the Fabtech.

The other difference, it it looks like the Skyjacker truck isnt afraid to get dirty.

 

Neither do I.

Perhaps the skyjacker picture was taken when it was dirty, and the Fabtech was taken when it was clean.

 

Id like someone to post a picture of what the angles look like on a Fabtech with 4WD.

Rancho:

 

Look at the Fab-Tec tie-rod end it's mounted nut down, I bet the Skyjacker is mounted nut up. a stock 4X4 tie-rod is mounted nut up, are the stock 2 wheel drives tie-rods mounted nut down?. Also the Skyjacker pic angle makes the angles look worse then they are.

 

Man look at those axle shaft angles compared to the Skyjacker.

Really nice.

 

FABTECH 6" 4x4

 

Thanks for the pictue of those angles on the Rancho lift. The last lift I had on my Rodeo the axles were REALLY angled. I was one of the very few that didn't have constant boot issues. I knew most the lifts for the ford soled this problem but I had no idea how nut on the Rancho would be compared to stock.
-Will

 

and now that I've added the 1-1/2" Autospring. .

 

TXF150

Thanks for posting the comparison pictures, i was going to do that as well but ran out of time.

To others;
I dont understand why this is such a complicated issue between the lifts. Its pretty obvious to me that any time you have a drop down bracket for the front axle it puts the geometry back in specs. Anytime you dont use a drop down bracket, the angles are going to be abnormal. Even with a simple leveling kit.

On the flip side, only time will tell how much will go wrong. TXF150 and others with lifts (4" to 6" and running a large tire) may run into problems with wear and tear on their steering components turning larger tires. They may have problems with the CV joints due to the same issue. No body knows what problems either style of lift is really going to have.

TXF150, on a good note, congrats on keeping your truck clean under there

 

That pretty much sums up what I was just about to say. Everybody has there reason to go with a certain lift. For me, the Skyjacker 3" has been great. I have not had one single complaint. The angles are more than a lift with a drop bracket, but about the same as everyone with a 2.5 leveling kit. Will I have excessive wear, probably. I am only running 285/70's with this kit. Someone turning 35+ all day; will they have excess wear, probably. I only wanted a 3" lift because I still wanted to get into my garage and I didn't want to be forced to put 35's on to look proportionate. I was lucky and found my kit on ebay for like $475 shipped and installed it myself. For that price I can replace anything that wears out a few times and still have spent less than a rancho or fabtech. The point is, any one of these truck with ANY lift, including a leveling kit, looks badass!!

 

Does anyone have good solid experience with the Rancho 4 inch kit? It looks really well engineered.

Pics of Ranco with 35s and 33s would be good.

I am wanting to pull the trigger but the last lift experience I had was a simple front add a leaf to my 97 f350 4x4. I had 33x12.50-16.5s on there and I could never get rid of the vibration.

Rancho claims that their 4 inch kit will have ZERO vibration or steering problems. Granted the kit may not cause the vibration, will the addition of larger tires?

Any one have input that currently has this kit on their 04+ 4x4? What tires are you running and how many miles have you put on since the install?

Thanks!

Keith Ruth