OK - let's start with, I'm not mechanically inclined. If it requires more than a socket set I'm out of my league.

I've got a 06 Lariat XLT 4x4. My first question is why would I lower a 4x4 - although mine is a street truck except for occasional mild off-roading when chasing the balloon.What's the difference in lowering or leveling? What's required? Costs? Am I gonna need a mechanic and a shop to do one or the other? Recommendations?

 

Either way it'll be expensive. I'm in the same boat as you but mine is just a 4x2. Be prepared to get some funny looks as to why you'd want to lower a 4x4.

 

..? Lower a 4x4, nice..

I say, level it.

 

Rule of thumb is usually
4X4 raise it
4X2 Lower it
But alot of guys on here have lowered a 4wd for looks and need the 4wd for snow or just weather conditions and the same follows for the 2wd guys that lift them? It's all personal preference and if i were you i would definately have a qualified person do the install regardless of what direction you go. It will still be a bad *** truck

 

I can see lowering a 4wd for only 1 reason

you want/own a powerful F-150 (aka supercharged) and you want the street look & performance...why a powerful 4wd vs a 2wd?...so you can get traction while doing stupid stuff


otherwise, IMO 4x4 goes up, 4x2 goes down

 

Sorry we all cant own a badass blown ground pounding get it from a dig truck......J/K ty
But hopefully in time my new toy will be a reality(siggy)

 

wasn't talking about my truck in that respect

more like anaheim drew


I just wanted some more HP...300 isn't enough for my purposes


btw, you seen one of those challengers in person? I've drooled over a few of them lately...sucks you can't get a stick until 2010 though

 

I have an 06' Fx4 SC and I've had it lowered 2'' in the rear with a shackle kit with 24's, It was nice and looked aggressive, then I tried a 2 1/2'' leveling kit up front without the rear drop with the 35'' mud grapplers and I prefer this way because it has a good all around feel and looks good also.

 

09 get the tremec 6 speed, 08 srt's are auto only and the future isnt certain yet for a 2010 model and yes i have even driven one and thats why im lookin for a R/T even tho its 370hp VS. 425 for a srt but who has $45k VS. $30k? $15k is not worth 55 horses to me

 

sorry guys, I'll try to stop hijacking after this
the 09's get the 6 speed? better steer clear of Dodge then. I love the way those puppies look and I miss having a sports car

btw, if the 5.7 doesn't have Multiple Displacement System, you can install the 6.1 cam and gain about 50 hp with tuning...I've got a 2005 Hemi 5.7 in my driveway that I've contemplated doing the 6.1 cam swap...but it only works if it's not a MDS motor

 

Yep the new 5.7 design has MDS and from what i hear it has a horrible exhaust sound to it when it kicks in? Goes from a growl to a 4cyl with a fart can on it but there is a local shop around here doing most of the testing and they are getting every HP out of this car with just basics on a dyno and it hit a 11.91@113-114mph, mbrp exhhaust,techo CAI,75 shot NOS,Predator crappy tune and drag radials. $29k for the car and Less then $2k for mods? Im sold

 

Such a waste, to lower a perfectly good 4x4

 

what's so expensive about a set of 2 inch rear drop shackles? a good jack and a set of jack stands, undo and 4 bolts swap the shackles and he's all set

 

A leveling kit only cost --- $68 --- !!!!

I have no idea how much it would cost to have someone else install it though. I bet you can rent every tool you would need (and don't personally have) from Autozone or equivalent....

I needed a 30mm socket when I installed mine and rented it from Autozone. I say "rent" since it's technically free once you return the socket. They don't charge you to rent their tools.

 

I say, whichever look you'd rather have. Regardless if it's 2wd or 4wd. You want to level it, go for it. You want to lower it, go for it.