2006 XLT Super Crew

What am I doing wrong?

I'm trying to install the impact Struts and they seem too short! Per instructions the rear mounts are to be installed on the bottom side of the Transmission X-member... however they do not reach...

Here are a few pictures to better make this clear:





I tried contacting Fabtech, but apparently its too late in the day!

The install has been nothing but headaches since I started! A key component is missing, and some of the hardware was the wrong size!

I'm starting to think that who ever put this kit together didn't pay attention to what they were doing!

Any help will be greatly appreciated!

If anyone has any pictures of how thier Impact Struts mount that would really help!

I'm just a few pieces shy of finishing the job! Sucks to have to wait!

Cheers

Nem

 

few questions. i asked where you got the lift from? was there tampering with the boxes?

my boyfriend is curious is why the tires are on already and there is weight on the front end? and is there a cut off for years on the truck vs lift. when we did it, he says he does not remember the tires going on already

we did it like you, in the driveway.

ours barely reached. the bracket is kinda slanted, its not perfectly 90 degree angle to the crossmember. hope this helps

 

Thanks Texasgirl,

To make a long story short... some vital parts were lost in transit! Two of the 8 alingment cams didn't show up! I ended up skipping around these steps to get the majority of the lift finished while I wait for the missing parts! For now I've just got the bolts minus the two cams on one side! The tires are on it so I could finish up the rear!

Being how the Rear and front cross members are fixed brackets I can't see how weight would interfere! There shouldn't be any backward/forward movement! Although it is a worthy idea and I'll most definately try this!

If its not terribly out of your way, do you think you could measure from bolt center to bolt center on your Impact Struts? If mine measure the same as yours, than something is definately out of wack!

I really appreciate your feedback! And Thanks in advance should you get that measurement!

Cheers

Nem

FWIW, I got the lift from 4wheelonline! I had previously ordered the Pro-comp Stage II only to find out it had parts backordered for weeks! 4wheelonline than told me that a Fabtech Dirtlogic kit was ready to ship! Only it came from 3 different warehouses.... basically a mixed and matched kit! <---- i'm guessing alot of my problems!

 

Exactly 2 feet, from bolt center to bolt center.

Are all the bolts tight already, and now your trying to put the struts on there now? Its been a little over a year since we did mine. SO we dont remember the exact sequence of tightning all the components. Maybe you could try loosening everything with the tires off, then try putting the struts on.

We are just brainstorming here..so GOod Luck!! Let me know if you have any questions.

 

Impact Stuts are installed in step 42! Just after the Front Driveline has been modified... and before that the brake line drops!

So everthing prior to this has already been torqued per instructions! The only thing I've done different is put the wheels on so I could lift the rear! I'd hate to think that by having the rear done before the front is causing this problem!

my measurements are the same as yours... so unless I've done the install incorrectly, or there is a difference in Super Crews with 6.5" beds! I highly doubt this though!

Tomorrow I will pull both tires off and let the suspension hang as if I were doing it per instructions! If I have to I'll start going backwards! Not looking foward to it, but there has to be an underlying issue since the struts are the same length!

Thank you so much Texalgirl for you help! Tomorrow I'll give Fabtech a call and see if they have any insight!

Cheers

Nem

 

Nem, I know the procomp is a different kit, but I was able to install those no problem with the tires on the ground. That looks like some bad news

 

thats wierd it should bolt right up, read over the instructions and make sure you didnt miss somethin by mistake

 

GREAT news! Well sort of....

I just got off the phone with Fabtech and there was a slight change in the truck in 2006! Some of the Fabtech kits run a 26" Impact Strut VS the original 24" Impact Strut... Which is what I need!

Fabtech did say that if I can mount the struts infront of the tranny X-member without interfering with the Sway bar, than all is well! Otherwise I'll have to have the longer Impact struts shipped!

A big thanks to those that left feedback! I'm two steps away from finishing this install and I'm lacking both parts to do it! Talk about annoying!

I might take some teaser pics though and start showing them off!

Cheers

Nem

 

So some more good news,

I mounted the sway bar and learned that I DO have enough clearance to mount the Strut mounts to the front of the cross member! I have just a little over 1/4 of inch clearance and according to Fabtech there isn't any movement while driving! They might hit the sway bar should the suspension drop to full droop while on a lift, but during normal driving and offroading I should be fine!

In the event they do hit, Fabtech said to just give them a call and they would send me the longer struts!

Fabtech also stated that the Impact struts on this model of Ford are merely cosmetic... they provide zero structuralbilty!

Thanks again for the help!

Cheers

Nem

 

that was the problem the whole time!! 4wheelonline sucks!! they are the ones who jipped me out of 500 buck last year due to their mistakes.

sounds like if they are as good as thier home page says, they should have caught the difference in years and kits. someone reputable would have. they are crooks and dont know the products they sell.

read my story called "4wheelonline stole 500 bucks me" you will cringe everytime you see those words put together as one word---4wheelonline----bad people..

congrats though on getting everything together!!! welcome to the world of being 6 inches higher!!! Like you would say... cheers

 

Can't blame 4wheelonline this time! Although tempting Fabtech flat out took responsiblity this time! Apparently since this kits are good for 2004 to 2007 with the same Kit #, its hard to know exactly which one has the longer Struts!

Your post nearly had me looking elsewhere, but I just couldn't pass up Dirtlogics front and rear for the price I got! Not to mention it was confirmed in stock!

Fabtech has agreeded to ship the new struts should they become needed! I am confindent the way I installed the current struts will work just fine!

check out these pics... you can tell me what you think!









I am curious though with how much space you have between your sway bar and impact struts! Might give me some peace of mind knowing this!

Thanks again

Cheers

Nem

 

here are a few teaser pics of how the truck sits:





Enjoy

Nem

 

Nem,

Nice quick fix. mine come VERY close to the sway bar. Your setup actually looks like it would be more secure. Would require a lot more force to shear through a bolt that way.

I'd drive it for a bit and then check to see if you have any rub marks. If so, swap for the longer ones... otherwise I assume you'd be golden IMO.

 

wow your truck looks amazing, those decals are sweet

 

the compresion struts serve no purpose on these lifts, its mearly for looks like fabtech said, you'll be fine with clearance. the struts should not move at all while driving on any terrian they are a fixed part in the lift.