Hey guys and gals...
Been reading up here for a few months. I'm on my second F150 now and have been doing some preventative maintenance based on a lot of the suggestions from these boards...thanks for the tips!

I bought this truck almost two years ago with 88K on the clock and I don't think the shocks had been changed, so I ordered some 5100's which finally arrived yesterday. I also added a ranch hand grill guard this week. I took measurements before/after the guard went on and my front end dropped a little over 1/2 inch. I now have about 2.75" in rake, but I only want around 1 inch. Here's the question...I don't want to do the full 2 inches on the 5100's because I'm affraid the ride quality will suffer, so I'm thinking about replacing the coil springs with those from a 4X4 of the same year. My hope is that the extra strength from the new springs will offset the droop my grill guard caused. Then I can just do 1" on the Billsteins to get the desired rake and keep the ride as smooth as possible.

Am I on the right track? I'd like your opinion on this as I'm ready to get it done. BTW, the truck now has 108K and I'm assuming the springs are stock. Don't really know what the lifespan of springs are...

Signature didn't take, so it's a 2006 XLT, SCAB, 4.6L, 2wd, 5.5' box

 

Surely someone has either done this or looked into it...

Anyone have any thoughts on what 4x4 springs would do to the ride height on a 4x2?

Any thoughts or opinions would be appreciated!

 

I know people have swapped OEM 2wd coilovers for OEM 4wd coilovers to gain lift. See one example here: https://www.f150online.com/forums/su...alled-2wd.html

Thing is you bought the leveling shocks and not just new shocks (correct me if I am wrong, but they came with new coils as well). I am not sure if the other coil will fit your new setup. If nothing else, send the current ones back and get 4wd leveling shocks and leave on lowest setting.

 

mdhawkin, thanks for the reply and link.

After reading that post, not only do I have a headache from reading one guy's attempt to prove everyone wrong, but I realized that the 4x4 springs will give me more lift than I want. The Bilsteins did not come with springs; they are meant to work with the existing springs. When I ordered the shocks I didn't realize the grill guard would make the front drop like it did, which is why I was thinking that the springs may be worn out. Maybe there is a heavy duty spring for my application that will help support the additional weight and not force me to use the full 2" on the 5100s. The reason I don't want to do this is because of reports of a harsh ride at the highest setting...maybe that's not correct.

I figured if I'm already taking things apart I should just replace the springs while I'm in there. So should I look into a stronger spring or just use the shock adjustment?

 

Well, I've decided to go with the factory replacement. I'll be ordering this week and hopefully installing them sometime next week.

I'd like to be able to take out the current setup and replace it with an already assembled coil over assembly. Does anyone know where I can score the coil spring mount that the lower part of the spring rests on? Ford doesn't sell them unless you order shocks. Called Rock Auto and they don't carry them. Anyone done some work on their truck and have a good set laying around?

I figure I can buy some shock mount for the top and the lower coil seat and still be out less than paying a shop to swap the springs.