hi there bob hope you can help me well for starters happy holidays and hope you and your family and friends enjoy the holidays.....was wondering if you can give me specific info on the mods you had to make for your 4.5" superlift,and what size tire would you reccomend for use on a 18x8 with 5" back spacing i got my wheels from centerline.........thanks fx4islander from guam...........

 

FX4Islander... Hello and Happy Holidays to you as well. I performed alot of research before I selected my suspension lift. It came down to the Rancho or Superlift. The reason I did not select Rancho is because my close friend has a 04-05 GMC SIERRA with the 4" Rancho suspension. The truck looks great but his front tires stick out about 1.5-2" further than his rear tires. Rancho for some reason increases the front tracking width of the tires. My buddies truck is awesome, he thrashes the crap out it and the suspension holds up well. I am not saying this creates a problem, Its just my opinion and I did not like the way it looked. I viewed the Superlift 4.5" video and called the manufacture with numerous questions. I also joined thier website and questioned many of the members on the site with trucks like mine. The only negative comments were related to "front end stiffness" meaning the suspension when off-roading was stiffer than expected. I have not had this problem. I however DO NOT thrash my truck. I use it to go camping(off road rugged trails) and to the beach Surf Fishing(thick sand). My suspension does not make any noise, No Squeaks or Rattles. I have NO shimmy in the steering wheel. The installation went very smooth. The ONLY modification(s) I made to my truck were due to my tire size(width is 1" to wide) The width created a slight rub on the front lower plastic valance(I trimmed it with a file) and the inner rear mud guard of the front tire when steering was turned to full lock, also trimmed with a carpet cutter and file. The only thing I would have done differently is get 35" tires and a 12.5" width instead of 13.5" width. I am running **** Cepek Fun Country II tires 35" X 18" and just love them. They are quite and ride very nice with little to No road noise. I do not have any kind of leveling device on top of my lift. I do run the 1.5-2" rear add-a-leaf which is supplied with the Superlift Kit.

Several other members of this forum perfer anything but the Superlift Suspension system. I really do not why. I have over 9000 miles on my truck now with NO problems. My lift cost ~1370.00 dollars in June of 2006. That included free shipping. What ever you decide to purchase... just know this, do your research and make YOUR selection. I wish you the best of luck when making your choice. BoB

 

Bob,
From what site did you buy your Superlift? What shocks are you running?

Any Rancho guys compare the wheel tracking,front to rear? Just wondering if it widens up front on the newer Fords.
:santa:

 

I have the shocks that came with my kit. If you look at Superlifts site they show the kit with the shocks, I did not get the upgraded ones. I purchased my kit from 4wheelparts.com however there was a box that was damaged/opened in shipping and a metal template was missing from my kit when I did my inventory. I called 4wheelparts at least five times trying to get the missing item replaced... with NO success. I finally called SuperLift and they sent the missing part to me overnight with no cost to me. I was not pleased with 4wheelparts.com customer service.

I remembered that Tripyn69(see his gallery) just installed the Rancho 4" earlier this month. He posted the below picture relating to the front track width increase with the Rancho system. I do want to add... I am not saying this is a problem. I have a close friend with the Rancho lift and he jumps "Catches Air" and thrashes the crap out his truck with no suspension issues. So make your own choice based on YOUR research. BoB

 

Bldr1-if it stops raining here today I will measure the front track width and compare it with the back. Looking at it in the pic above, it appears to be about an inch, maybe 2 wider the front. Although, my buddy said if you look at a different angle it does not look wider in the front at all. Time to get the tape out!

 

Hey tripyn69... I hope I did not offend you with my post. I honestly did not mean it to be a negative. I was just relaying your previous answer to me. I am really curious as to how/where this increase comes from. If it really is increased as you are going to prove/disprove. BoB

 

Nope not at all Bob-I figured it has been brought up so many times I want to measure correctly to dispell any rumors for anyone considering this lift. Through all my research most said it did increase and I knew it was something I would have to live with. Superlift was my second choice, based soley on most of your feedback about the quality of the lift!

One of the considerations I had to think about.... It was a PITA just running the shocks up somewhere that had a spring compressor, looking for a driveline shop was another task that I did not want to deal with. We did the install over the Thanksgiving weekend so that really limited my choices of shops that would be open.

 

Hey Tripyn69... Reguardless of the outcome I was going to get the Rancho 4" based on my friends truck. He puts that suspension through hell. He has never complained about the suspension however his truck drive train(transmission) has failed twice and he now has a problem with his transfer case(makes a loud popping sound)when under a load. The SuperLift is a basic lift and I do realize that. I am pleased with my choice as I'm sure you are. I do use my truck and the added suspension along with the larger tires fits my needs perfectly. Rancho is the better known name brand and probably is a better lift, I really do not know. I am not one to say "He said.. She said" I just made my choice and I am pleased with the outcome. I honestly think that these lifts are very safe and it really boils down to personal preference.. although if there was a thrashing contest I really think the Rancho would probably prevail based solely on what I've seen. I have no "Thrashing data" on the SuperLift nor do I wish to contribute such data. Happy Holidays. BoB

 

Hey Bob, thank you and Merry X-mas to you too!

Bldr1-I measured it with a buddy-over all increase is 1". We measured the back in the same place and it was an 1' less-so 1/2 an inch a side wider in the front. It looks wider but I guess that is the angle I took the picture-nice to finally know. At any rate like Bob said, it is all what you will be happy with, you can't go wrong with Superlift, Rancho or RCD 4" lifts!

 

I think a 1/2" each side is negligible. Superlift or Rancho decisions decisions decisions. Thanks for your time and info guys.
Merry Christmas & Happy New Year !!!!
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