Ok here is the deal,I finaly wore out my factory tires on my 2000 4x4 supcab offroad pkg.Now I can get new tires and a lift.I was leaning tords the rancho 4in only because I have had rancho kits in the past and they were awesome.But my local 4x4 shop is trying to sell me a RCD kit witch they say is better than the rancho kit do to the shocks that come with the kit are billsteins that are valved for the F-150.But I also heard that RCD does not drop the front diff like the rancho and that this could cause some problems.
So I guess what Iam hoping is that those of you who have these lits could give there like's and dont like's on each kit.I will be making my purchase in a few weeks so all input would be helpful.

Thank's in advance for your reply!

 

not sure about the 4x4 lift but i would recommend RCD. i have a 2x4 and the RCD is smooth riding and quiet. havent heard a single creek, pop, or squeek. just about every shop i went to said "go with RCD". the alignment was almost perfect after it was installed and i have talked to a few more guys and they say the same thing. just my opinion though.

 

You are correct...RCD does not drop the front diff 5", they only drop it 2". I have no clue why. I tried emailing them to find out why and they havent responded yet (its been 1 week) I'm going to try calling them today or tomorrow. I would imagine that the increased angle on the CV joints would hurt the front end, but nobody (nobody that i've heard from) has had probs w/ the RCD kit. Almost everyone and every 4wheel shop recommends it. I have the same prob as you though, dont know who to choose. I was set on RCD until i found out they dont drop the front diff all the way down.
It seems like every kit has at least 1 prob though.
RCD-drops front diff only 2"
Trailmaster-uses ball joint spacers
Rancho-comes w/ blocks for rear lift
Superlift-doesnt raise the front 5" like they say and have weak spindles, also had a recall on their supposedly "awesome" superlink steering
ProComp-nothing bad that i've heard yet, just a little pricy.

Let me know what you wind up choosing though, i think i'll still wind up getting the RCD.
If any1 knows the "allowable" angles for CV joints please post

 

just bought the RCD lift myself and its going on this weekend so i'll let you know

 

Thank's guy's for all your input and Heatseaker1 are you going to install it yourself ? let us know how it goes,

 

O ya what kind of price did you get on the kit and where...Thanks

 

Well, although the RCD only lowers the front diff. 2", you can look at it this way- 3" more ground clearance- which will look and perform better ...as long as you don't blow a CV Joint. Just a thought

 

Yeah me and a couple friends are doing it this weekend, all I got to payfor is the beer, beets the $600 at the shop. And I got the kit from NTW for about $1450

 

I don't see why there would be a problem with the diff only droping 2" The cv joint angle doesn't look any more angled than before the lift...

 

The increase in CV angle is 2-5 degrees so i've heard. You cant really SEE the difference. I was just curious to know if 2-5 degrees is enough to hurt the front end. Nobody seems to know. Thanks for the pic though christrucker.

 

I called RCD today,I got a real person in only 2 rings and he was able to answer most of my questions,He said that the 2in diff drop was not a big deal and that he has not heard of any issue's with it.Also They developed the kit with bilstein and have done extensive testing as well as that 35in tires are recomended with that kit as long as you get a 16x8 w/4.5 in back spacing on your wheels.Other wheels size's might work but all I asked about was the 16x8 sorry.O ya and one more thing he said that they made the kit so a couple of do it your selfer's could do it in your garrage and that the direction's were wrote for normal guy's like us(layman)..lol.Anyway I am ready to buy my RCD lift,now if I could just settle on wheels before the tire sale goes off at National Tire and Wheel(buy 3 tires get 4th one free!)Well hope this helps and please keep me posted on what you guys hear and learn.

 

I found out the actual reason why the 2 in drop in stead of the 4in drop like the rest.
by only droping the front diff 2 in instead of 4in it put's less angle on front drive shaft u joints and more on the cv's.The cv's can handle the angle better than the u joints can.Ranco,trail master and procomp kits can develop a viberation in front drive shaft's(some trucks will and some wont)This is why RCD only drops the diff 2 in.Plus RCD is a local company for me right here in San Diego,Ca I will be going with RCD for sure...see ya

 

I have a Rancho lift in mine and the thing pops like crazy when I hit bumps while turning.

I don't know who installed it cause I bought the truck used but I do know it shouldn't be making the noises it does.

Might be that it just needs some greasing under there but being that I bought it from a local dealership that assured me it had been gone through I think it's the lift.

Just something to think about.

bosifus

 

Linedog: Thanks for all the info. I'm not sure why i couldnt get ahold of them. Oh well. Again, thanks for the info...i'm goin with RCD for sure!

 

Lifted my truck Sunday with the RCD kit and it is kick a$$. No complaints at all, and the ride is great. installed it myself with a couple of friends and it took about 11 hours with very few hangups