Just curious. My 98 is a 5.4L, 4x4 off road, tow package truck. My 99 is a 4x4 off road 4.6L non tow package, but still has 4 leafs in the back. The 98 sits a good inch higher and has 212k miles vs my 99's 100k miles. What does my 98 have that my 99 doesn't?

 

search for torsion bars ? Might be just an adjustment . Not sure if they had different front end A arm parts

 

Same size tires? Same size blocks in the back?

 

May still be 4 leafs, but are they the exact spring rate???

 

Yes and Yes, first things I checked.

I thought of this which was why I mentioned that one truck has the tow package. Did they actually offer different spring rates? Did tow package trucks come with heavier rear springs?

 

My 97 sits pretty high. I've heard the 97 and 98 4x4s sit high for some reason

 

I don't know what the specs are but, 4X4 Off road packages do sit higher. You'll find out that the shocks they use are longer than other 4X4s' also.

 

Well according to the service manual 1998 and 99 4WD ride height is measured from the lower control arm front bolt to ground, then from the bottom of the steering knuckle to ground. Then subtract the two and that's your ride height. Spec is 4-5 inches. Unless one of them has air ride (but i am guessing that they dont) they should be the same. With or w/o the tow package.

 

Both trucks have the off road package. They both also have fresh Rancho Shocks. It's the towing package that differers between the two.

No air ride. I just don't get it, the only thing that would explain it is the spring rate, that I can think of. But both trucks were bone stock when I got them. I've had a few of these trucks and there is something special about this 98. It just... runs and drives better than any other truck I've driven. The thing is just a monster, I don't know what it is, it just gives off this vibe that I can't explain. My buddy says the same thing (he has a 97, 5.4 off road tow package truck). I was telling myself it was all in my head, but than I discovered this drastic ride height difference. I would have thought the newer lower mile truck would be higher from less age and less miles pulling on the suspension, but it's the opposite.

 

You could try running the VIN Decoder if you haven't. Maybe that will help.

http://www.f150forum.com/vindecoder.php

 

Does the front just ride a lil lower n rear is up making the whole truck look lower just needs leveled . Wonder if it has 3.73 s giving it that lil bit extra go ish Ness . Pizza

 

Nope, I measured the ride height from the bottoms of the wheel wells. Both trucks have 3.55 Posi rears but I'm not talking power really, but on that note the 98 has more guts because it's got the 5.4, but I really am pretty disappointed in the 4.6. My old 4.6 98 I swear had more than this 99, but that was a long time ago so I could have just gotten used to the 5.4 over the years. But I'm sure the 5.4 helps the overall feel of my 98. That still leaves the question though as to why the 98 sits higher, hell it's even heavier than my 99 because of the drivetrain. Pretty sure the 5.4 weighs more.

 

Good question! I also have a 98 that sits quite a bit higher than my 99. Thought it was just me. I could be wrong, but in my opinion (which means JACK) I feel the 98 is a tougher, better built truck. I drove mine for 7 years and LOVED it! Then I "upgraded" to my 99 and it feels like a girlie version of the real deal.
Same truck as far as weight, body style, motor, 4x4 etc. Only difference is one is automatic and one is standard.

 

That's just it man, my truck and my buddies just feel more rugged than my 99. His is a 97 and my other truck is a 98. The 99 just feels weak and more like a car than a truck. Something had to change, and I want to know what, because I want my 99 to feel like the 98.

 

Long shot in the dark, but is it possible the 1997-98 4x4 trucks came with the 7700 or F250LD frame? Sure would stiffen things up a bit. In '99, they had Super-Duty's so it's possible they lightened it up a little. Seems a little far fetched, but you never know. Measure the frame thicknesses.