So, some may remember that my truck had a strut explode a few months back, which the dealer said was probably due to the HBS level that I had installed on it. However, it may have just been the fact that it was a monroe strut and not a Ford OEM strut that caused the issue, I have no idea.

So right now, on my 2006 XL 2WD, I am just running OEM 2WD struts, but I would like to pop the front up an inch or two. Is it possible to run 4WD struts on a 2WD truck? Will this put too much undue stress on the assembly and cause issues? If that works, I assume that would be a 1" - 1.5" lift. If this is an option, does anyone have the part numbers for the pieces of the strut assembly?

How about the Bilstein (sp?) leveling struts? What parts of the current struts are retained by these? Spring, obviously, but what else?

I'm basically just looking to level the truck without the use of leveling spacers.

 

Rancho has a similar product to Bilstein called a QuikLift. I doubt your level had anything to do with the spring failure. It was more likely the spring had a bad heat treatment. You also retain the top plate with the leveling shocks. I think you could use a 4x4 stock shock for some lift, but I think one of the leveling shocks would be a better choice. Here is a QuikLift shock next to a stock shock on a 4x4.



Shock installed on the truck

 

actually, it was the shock assembly, not the spring, that exploded. the spring was the only thing keeping the front end from collapsing.

 

do they make the rancho for 2WDs? I remember looking for it, but not being able to find one.

 

I thought they did, but I looked and it doesn't appear they do. Getting the 4x4 shock should get you some lift, but I don't know how much. I believe Bilstein has a leveling shock for 2wd.

 

Coil perch is 1" difference between 4WD and 2WD on the shock - I considered doing that but didn't want to mess with compressing coils.

 

It's not for the faint of heart, I'll grant you that. It's not so bad getting the old spring off, but compressing the spring further for the QuikLift shocks put some stress on my coil spring compressor. If I had it to do over again. I'd take the shock coil assembly to a suspension shop and let them change them out.

 

Check out this application chart from Rancho's website. It lists the part numbers for 04 - 08 F150 2WD as:
QuickLift Loaded Front Struts part# RS999909 and the RS9000XL Rear Shocks part# RS999285. The chart says it will give your 2wd a 1.75" height increase on the front.

The QuickLift loaded are also called QuickStruts on some sites, but the part number is the same. It comes with the full assembly, spring and all ready to go. I just bought a set of quicklift loaded leveling struts and rear shocks for my '07 4wd and I can't wait to put them on. I bought them from http://race-mart.com which had great customer service and the cheapest prices I could find. I also like them because they are adjustable, so when I tow, I hope to tighten them up for better control and decrease any rear sagging.

Here is a picture of them straight out of the box:

 

Nice set-up - I like that better than the quick lift shock, and price seems about the same as the shock only? I especially like that it is a driveway friendly install, without having to deal will disassembling the strut and compressing springs.

 

Yeah, thats what I found odd. When I was looking for the normal quicklift strut (not the loaded), without the full assembly, the part was either around the same or only like $20 less. For that price, I definitely wanted to save the trouble of compressing the springs. Every time I read about someone compressing springs, they say they would never do it again, even if it was successful. I guess it's because of the stress thinking the compressor tool is going to break and cause all hell to break loose.

 

i am also looking to replace my factory struts and shocks on my 2wd i currently have a 2.5" spacer up front. would i be able to buy the quicklift and add my spacer on top of that? or should i just replace them with normal struts and put the spacer back on? thanks

 

I wouldn't do both, because it would put too much strain on your suspension with that kind of angle. I would either replace the spacer with leveling struts, or go another route like the Bilstein (or some other premium strut).

 

Sweet. Nice find!