4.6-5.4 Suspension
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New User
Joined: Feb 2004
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4.6-5.4 Suspension
Hi guys. I'm the new guy and it looks like I'll need to improve my signature for next time.
I have a 98, 4.6 litre, 4x4 extra cab and was wondering about the difference between the suspensions and axles of this and the 5.4 models. I know that the 4.6s only have three leaves and the 5.4s have 4.
I have owned my truck since new and it has done me well both on and off road. I am also wondering if I would benifit from beefing up the back end a little for towing and if so what are my options. Have been told that I can install blocks to raise a couple of inches but wonder if new springs or an add leaf would be better.
Thanks in advance for your input.
I have a 98, 4.6 litre, 4x4 extra cab and was wondering about the difference between the suspensions and axles of this and the 5.4 models. I know that the 4.6s only have three leaves and the 5.4s have 4.
I have owned my truck since new and it has done me well both on and off road. I am also wondering if I would benifit from beefing up the back end a little for towing and if so what are my options. Have been told that I can install blocks to raise a couple of inches but wonder if new springs or an add leaf would be better.
Thanks in advance for your input.
Junior User
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 56
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From: Boothbay USA
What are you planning on towing? Will it tax the suspension that much? New springs would be the way to go if money's not an option, but since it always is, add a leafs would probably be fine...Blocks won't really help with capacity any...if anything it will probably make it more unstable in the rear under a load. And give it that much more distance before the suspension actually bottoms out...
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I normally pull a travel trailor (anything from a boler to a 3500lb 18ft Taurus) during hunting season and or camping in the summer. When I'm loaded the rear rides a little lower than I'd like and lights point too high. Would also like the rear to ride a couple inches higher on a regular basis. The gap from top of the front tire to the fender is an inch or two higher than the same gap in the rear. doesn't look as good as the trucks with higher gap in the rear.
Any thoughts?
Thanks.
Any thoughts?
Thanks.
New User
Joined: Jan 2003
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My truck has overload springs that were put on when the lift was put on and they will carry a load, more than my old pig iron '76. I have loaded it (ext longbed) past the rails with solid concrete pavers. I would not recommend this as you don't brake too well and it is probably a bit dangerous, but the suspension took it with no grunt. I squated 2.5 inches, not even close to bottoming. They are pricey, around $250, but man is it worth it, especially with a lift so it does not sag in the rear.
AJ
'97 F-150, SuperCab, LB 4x4 XLT 4" Rancho Lift, 315/75/16 BFG AT's and other shiny stuff
'76 F-150 SuperCab, LB 390, C6 Totally Restored
AJ
'97 F-150, SuperCab, LB 4x4 XLT 4" Rancho Lift, 315/75/16 BFG AT's and other shiny stuff
'76 F-150 SuperCab, LB 390, C6 Totally Restored
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Joined: Jun 2003
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No not air suspenion, it's a hitch and two J bars w/ a section of chain connected to the other end. The two bars slide up and snap into bottom of hitch, then w/ the end with the chain, is what connects to TT, kinda like a binder for chain. When you hitch up your TT and your TT and truck are one, crank your TT up w/your truck, it's called (pre-loading). While your TT and the rear of your truck is up, hook your chains on the J bars, to the TT and bind them up. With the safety pins in, then crank the TT down and let it rest. The J bars kinda act like leaf springs. What they do is it distributes weight from the rear of truck to the front of truck so when you are pulling, your truck and TT are as one together. Hope you understand ?? Brand names "REESE" or "EZ-LIFT"
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Yes I do know what you're talking about karenj. We call it an equalizer hitch that is why I was confused. I am considering it for the heavier trailers but I would also like the truck to sit a little higher in the back during regular driving. I think my springs may have lost a little life and I prefer the look when the rear is up higher than the front.
Thanks.
Thanks.
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Hotshot
Joined: Aug 2002
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From: BC, Canada
On my truck I just added an extra leaf to each spring pack. The U- bolts were long enough that I didnt have to replace them. I had to buy new center pin which were pretty cheap. I got the leaves out of a couple old spring packs I had laying around. It lifted the back of the truck probably 2 inches and with my race car trailer on the back it sits pretty level now.