but still...why make a 4x4 any lower then it is already stock?

 

I think its preferance. The 4wd sits 2" higher in the front then a 2wd. Of course you have 2" blocks in the rear which still gives you the rake that all the 2 and 4wd have. So you remove the rear blocks to level it out with the front or put a spacer in the front to level to the rear. Is the glass half full or half empty? I think it looks good either way as long as the *** end is not way in the air like it comes from the factory. I see no written rule that says that if you have a 4wd you have to lift/raise it or if you have a 2wd you have to lower it. Sometimes people just want the 4x4 option due to there work enviroment or it can come in handy depending of the weather they have to deal with where they live and not necassarily to go muddin' or rock crawlin'. How many SUVs out there are 4wd? Should those be lifted also just because there 4wd? This topic has been covered many times so I will just leave it at that. Peace in the Middle East

 

point well taken

 

its not like i want my truck to lay frame, i just want it to look even and take up some more fender gap in the back, i take my rims off in the winter time and i use my 4wd as well cause of snow.

my truck will never see off road

 

The heavy duty u-bolts aren't too big? Did you need to order new nuts for those u-bolts or will the standard one work too?

Does anyone know the torque specs for those nuts?

 

Hmmmm... I think I may do this also while I'm installing my exhaust..

-Brian

 

I have already got the U-bolts and will be doing this mod in the very near future. I just got the standard 2WD U-bolts and they are the same diameter and thread pitch as the 4x4, just exactly 2" shorter. I too would like to know the torque specs for the nuts if anyone knows.....
I have seen a picture of someone who has done this mod to thier FX4 and it really looks good in my opinion. Also I think the lower center of gravity can only improve handling. I plan on swapping out my 17" rims for some OEM 18" with 275/65-18. With this wheel/tire combo there is no need for an extra 4"-6" of wheel well space so lowering the rear to level it out just makes good sense. Plus there is no extra strain on the ball joints, or need to have it re-aligned.

 

I have done this mod twice, here are some things I noticed. The nuts are locking nuts, the ones that have a nylon ring crimped onto them, IIRC they take a 21mm wrench or socket. When I reinstalled the nuts, I just tightened them equally so there was the same amount of exposed threads on each side of the u-bolt and made sure they were tight. As long as you get the tension close to equal on each side of the u-bolt and the nuts are tight, you should be fine. I did just that on my 05 and had it that way for almost a year and everything was just fine.

 

Not for me - had them on since last summer and it working just fine.

 

I found the torque specs for the U-bolts within installation instructions for a Pro Comp add-a-leaf spring kit....

95 ft/lbs

Regards

 

Hey Guys, I am thinking about doing this to my 04 FX4...can't you just cut the factory U bolts to a shorter length with a high speed disc after you put the nuts back on?

 

No, the threads do not go far enough up the shaft for that. Just order the 2WD u-bolts and swap them out.

 

I am going to lower mine this summer before i put my rims back on. My question is when i went into the ford dealership to order the 2 wheel drive u bolts they asked me about the size of the nut diameter. Has anyone heard that there are different 2 wheel drive u bolts? I just want to make sure im ordering the right thing. Also is it best to order new nuts as well.

 

Thanks...I hadn't looked at them yet so I didn't reallize they weren't threaded all the way up. I think I will check ebay to see if there are any on there...

 

Well said!