So I have a 2004 FX4 Supercrew short bed 172k miles new engine new trans 3.73 gears p305/55/20 terra grapplers on 20 x 9 XD Monsters. I think its the 5.71 bs. The front of the truck is at the highest bilstein 5100 perch. 2". the rear has the 4x4 block and fat bobs aal. The uca has been hitting the front coil for ever, but thats no big deal.

I plan to lower the truck because i load the truck frequently with all types of heavy stuff, and those extra couple of inches really make a difference.

i really like the aal because it keeps the rear from sagging. so the aal is staying, and besides i paid like $100, maybe less, even though its not expensive, i still dont want to waste it. soo the plan is to ditch the 4x4 block. that should lower me about 1.5" i think. just need new u bolts, because they are too long.

and for the front im going down to the 1" perch, because the back will still be a raised a little from the aal. (back should be close to stock 4x4)

im planning on stopping by my mechanic tmrw. hopefully he has time and can do it quick.

just thought id let everyone know incase they have any questions or concerns.

im not expecting any signifigant gains, just want to lower truck so its easier to load and unload, but maybe the lower center of gravity will make handling better and lower body maybe increase highway mpg very slightly, and maybe the 1" perch wont wear out uca so quick. i also noticed front axle boots ripping often, maybe the lower perch can help that too idk just speculating. and for future plans, just a narrower tire. the 305 isnt really doing anything special. and near future i will redo hid since they will be off.(like a week or two, need warranty replacement ballast and the headlight weather stripping

and on a side note seems the oil pressure gauge on dash went out. sometimes works, sometimes too H. i did the gauge sweep, truck seems fine, so im guessing bad gauge.

and the 4x4 block will not be for sale. sorry

 

 

not the best pic, but the only one i have since the aal was installed. you can see the aal keeps the back up nicely. i have 1/2 cubic yard of salt in bed which weights about 1200#

 

So truck is in shop. Going to try to place blocks on top of the leaf spring so I can lower the truck, but not need shorter u bolts. As for the front im hoping the 1" perch will look good. Not sure if i should go back down to stock.

I was looking at me he rear sway bar too, but i called one company and they told me my dual exhaust out behind rear bumper will have to be modified.

 

This is the before

 

So 1, the block can not sit ontop of the leaf pack. Having new u bolts made tonight. 2, those bilsteins were pretty corroded, and seemed that the pressure was wearing out. So up front i now have monroe coilover replacements. Going to buy the rear monroes within next month. The rears also have a coil over the strut.

I noticed with the monroes that now when the truck is on the lift, the uca's do not rest on the coil

 

Its done. <br/>

 

 

Quick recap

Up front have the monroe quick struts
Rear i took out the 4x4 spacer and have a AAL with rear bilstein 5100
Wheel/Tire xd monsters 20x9 nitto terra grappler 305/55/20

Definately rides better, but that could just be the brand new springs and struts up front. The bilsteins were in since 2006 and truck was out in every snow storm.

 

Would have had a hard time changing perch anyway. The snap ring was corroded in. And those rotors may look cool, but regular rotors perform better.

 

Yeah, you'll like the lower attitude when loading, unloadiung, entry, exit, etc .....

Not to hijack or anything ..... but just some threads that maybe you know about .... ore maybe not?


https://www.f150online.com/forums/su...x4-thread.html

https://www.f150online.com/forums/20...yesterday.html

http://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/11...my-07-4x4.html

Of course, there's always another way .....