2008 4x4 5.4 SCrew

I had a basic Fabtech 6" lift (old style, not the lift with bilsteins) installed on my truck months ago, and I've never felt like the lift equated to 6". I'm running 35x12.50x18 BFG MT's, which don’t measure at exactly 35”, and they look stuffed and I rub on the lower valance. I parked next to an identical truck last week that had a 4" Rancho lift with 35's and I literally could not tell a difference in height. I’ve parked next to other F150’s with the same set up as mine and they all sit higher.

I called Fabtech to find out what my measurement should be from the center of the hub to the fender, and they say it should measure at 29" exactly...mine's at 27". I am taking the Lariat flares into account, which don't make much difference anyway.

My front cross member measures 6" exactly from bolt hole to bolt hole, so I've got the full 6" drop. I called Fabtech back to get the measurement from the strut hole (LCA mount) to the bottom of the spring rest on the strut. They said it should be 12.5" and that's what it measures on my truck. I don't know what else to focus on here except for my springs. When the truck was stock it sit exactly like other stock 4x4's.

I don't necessarily have any reason to question the integrity of the shop who installed the lift, but I'm beginning to wonder if my springs may have been swapped during the install. I talked to the owner of the shop who did the install, and he told me to bring it by next week and he’d be happy to take a look at it. I also asked him about the rear as Fabtech said it should measure, from the center of the hub to the fender, 28.5”…mine’s 27”. He said that they install the front first, and “modify” the rear to sit level. The Fabtech 5” block is installed in the rear, so I have no idea how he would have modified the rear unless he removed a leaf…there’s three on the truck, and I believe that’s what it should be.

I feel like the shop does honest work, but before I meet up with them next week I’d like to hear what you guys think. Have any of yall run into a similar issue? Could the problem be with something other than my springs? Any thoughts or input is appreciated.

Thanks

 

well, if a 6" lift is 4 inches to you, get an 8" lift and it'll be 6 inches

 

post some pics of your front suspension

 

My basic Fabtech 6" lift netted me about 5.5" total in the front. My truck sits about .5"-1" lower than a Pro-comp equipped truck in the front, but the rear of mine sits higher than the Pro-comp since the Pro-comp gives a slight bulldog look.

 

mine seemed to be fine, but i got my kit before they started using the strut spacer and included full replacement struts. i had 35s with it fine even with 4.5in. bs on the wheels. then i had 38s with a body lift and now i have 41s with a leveling kit.

 

Here's some pics.

 

Your album is set to private. We cannot see your pics.

 

Corrected to public.

The pics are pretty small on my screen, and I can't figure out how to make them any bigger.

 

You've copied the thumbnails.

 

I'm a lowered guy so I don't know, are they supposed to stack the rear 5" block on top of the stock block to eliminate the bulldog stance? Maybe that's your problem, dealer took out your stock block?

 

The install instructions from Fabtech say to remove the stock blocks and replace with the 5". The rear not equating to the total lift I should have received doesn't concern me as much as the front. Other than my my springs having possibly been swapped I can't figure out why I've only gained 4".

If it's not too much trouble can you take a measurement from the center of your front hub to the bottom of the Lariat flare?

 

I want to see some pictures of the rear setup (Blocks and Leafs). Looking at your pictures everything up front looks right.

 

Some cheeper lift kits only lift about 5" to 5.5" due to the strut spacers are only 4"-5" like Pro-Comp and Rough Country, Im suprised Fab-Tech would do this but it might be there way to get you to buy the upgrade (Builstiens), My lift kit has a 6" spacer (Tough Country)so total lift was 7.5" on front, and 5.5" block on the rear for 3.5" lift, this is why some trucks with 6" lifts are higher than others! My 35" tires look way too small but I did add another inch in the front with a 5/8" spacer.
hope this helps!

I just realized: the pictures in my gallery dont have the extra 1" lift spacer, so you can compare my 6" to your 6" LOL!

 

I just remember something, from what everyone that has a 4" rancho lift has said, you actually get a little over 5" of lift with the 4" rancho lift. So if that is true, like Msall said he got about 5.5" out of his fabtech, thats probably why they looked the same park next to another truck.

 

^ True, what he said^