Dang it! I searched for an hour searching for the posts about angles with 2 in leveling kits with the 2 in AS or 4wd front shock for 2wd trucks and I can't find them although I've seen a ton of them before.

What I'm trying to do:
first off I have a 2wd Truck.
I'm getting the 4wd blocks and u bolts and shocks for the rear which will kick it up 2 inches in the rear.
And I'm going to get either the 2 in AS or just the oem 4wd shocks for the same model year.
Aren't the angles on the joints the same with either? (from what I remember)
And would it work (I know I'd be dropping about a grand for this but) if I got the original 4wd shock in the front, in order to eliminate the angle, get the upper arm and lower arm and all the other little things that make the 4wd front suspension different from the 2wd?
So pretty much my truck will sit at the same stance as the stock 4wd but won't have 4wd?
Reason being is because I don't need 4 wd and I don't want a huge lift. But like the stance the 4wds sit at and I've bottomed out for the last (5th) time off roading in my 2wd.
Sorry for making everyone see another post like this but thanks for any help for my particular situation.

+ after getting this done, could I install the oem skid plates that are available for 4wd F-150s? (for the gas tank, transfer case, and engine)
Would that be enough ground clearance? Or would it defeat the purpose?

 

anyone help me out on this one?

 

The AS gives you the wierd angle on the joint. The other shocks do not (I think) b/c they are longer at the top of the shock where it attaches to the strut tower.

 

I would think the 4wd shock length would create the same angle problems on a 2wd. Think about it. If the 2wd shock is 2" shorter than a 4wd shock, and you add a 2" spacer to the 2wd shock, they are the same length afterwards, thus having the same angle issue on the balljoints.

 

I agree with Stealth.

 

a 2 inch spacer lift is the same as going from a 4x2 to a 4x4 shock and there is no way to get around the angles because 4x2 is set up different then a 4x4with the LCA set lower to make up for the added spindle length. There is no way to get around the angle problem with out a drop bracket lift. Trust me if you want to go big just do it I have waisted soooo much money trying to get higher without just getting a drop bracket lift. Learn from the dumb just lift it right the first time.

 

I know this sounds stupid but what if I got the 4x4 uca and lca and all that junk? Would it work?

And I don't want a big lift at all just a little one.

So far instead of going with the 2" AS I'm gonna get the 4x4 front shocks.

And what's a drop bracket lift? (sorry I'm a little slow)
Thanks for all the help tho.

 

The spindles are what's different I believe, but someone correct me if I'm wrong.

 

Yep your right.. 2wd trucks have spindles.. Where as 4x4 trucks have steering knuckles.. The steering knuckles have big ole holes in them for the halfshaft and hubs to connect though.

 

A drop bracket lift is a "true" lift that comes with a crossmember that drops the LCA's to keep the balljoints in spec with the added length of the new knuckle. Just putting on 4x4 parts wont do anything for the angles and the 4x4 knuckle wont work for a 4x2. If you are willing to invest that much money for 2 inches just get your self a full lift. 1100 on ebay.

 

all we need is for someone to start making a steering knukcle for those of us with 2 inch lifts and all our problems would be solved

 

okay just to clarify:

original: 2wd lariat supercab w/6.5ft bed

2 in. AS + 4wd rear shock, blocks, and u-bolts= same rake as stock with 2 inches lifted in front and rear.

And it'd still be the same if I replaced the 2 in. AS with 4wd front coil over shocks for the same model year?

And when I say the 4wd coil over or rear shock I mean the same model year part but FX4.

So I'd pretty much be keeping it stock?

Thanks for all the help.

 

Don't mean to be **** but I'm buying the things i need next week, so i just want to clarify