Suspension Improvement ??????
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Freshman User
Joined: Feb 2004
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From: San Diego
Suspension Improvement ??????
Hey guys, its my first time posting here in the off-road section (I usually hang out at the 2004 F-150 Forum).
I have a 2004 F-150 FX4 SCREW. I just recently put a 6" Pro Comp lift on it. I was wondering if there was anything else I could do to improve the off-road ride and keep the same street ride? Would putting different shocks help? (I have Pro Comp RS9000 in the back and the stock offroad shocks in the front). Thanks!
I have a 2004 F-150 FX4 SCREW. I just recently put a 6" Pro Comp lift on it. I was wondering if there was anything else I could do to improve the off-road ride and keep the same street ride? Would putting different shocks help? (I have Pro Comp RS9000 in the back and the stock offroad shocks in the front). Thanks!
Junior User
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 50
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From: Gresham OR
Originally Posted by peteyg
The '04 has a strut front suspension. Different animal. I believe the lift moves the strut mounting location and retains the stock components.
thats right the new f150 kits just lower the whole thing down and use alot of the factory stuff depending on how extencive the kit is.
What kit did you put on your truck. New shocks will do wonders esp. if you can afford some of the new ones with ressies. Also a set of affter market springs would be nice I belive fab-tech makes a good sett.
Elder User
Joined: Feb 2004
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From: Oregon
Ok, Ok. Pro Comp offers two versions of the 6" kit. One, a performance package using massive 2 3/4-inch, race-derived coilover monotube front shocks. The other is a coilover spacer system that delivers the same six-inch lift, but maintains the ride characteristics of the OE setup. If you wanted a better off-road ride, the coilover would've gave it to you.
As for the rear, the basic system comes with ES series shocks, while the coil-over system uses the MX6 adjustable shocks. Both kits come with the billet alloy spacer blocks. I'm guessing you meant the rears were "E" S9000's, not "R" S9000's-big difference. Those are good shocks. They are nitrogen gas (versus cellular gas) charged to provide a better ride in most terrain.
The better system would dramatically increase your ride all around. I suggest buying MX6 adjustable shocks for the back, and maybe look into the Pro Comp coilover. Just try not to mix brands.
Pretty much the jist of it!
As for the rear, the basic system comes with ES series shocks, while the coil-over system uses the MX6 adjustable shocks. Both kits come with the billet alloy spacer blocks. I'm guessing you meant the rears were "E" S9000's, not "R" S9000's-big difference. Those are good shocks. They are nitrogen gas (versus cellular gas) charged to provide a better ride in most terrain.
The better system would dramatically increase your ride all around. I suggest buying MX6 adjustable shocks for the back, and maybe look into the Pro Comp coilover. Just try not to mix brands.
Pretty much the jist of it!
Elder User
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 500
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From: Oregon
Fabtech uses a 3" block. Skyjacker and Superlift offer replacement spring packs. Superlift offers a spring pack upgrade, or new springs. Skyjacker offers add-a-leafs too.
Last edited by threefiftyone; May 1, 2004 at 02:55 AM.
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Freshman User
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From: San Diego
Ya, its the phase one lift. what shocks do you guys recommend? if I put the MX6 shocks in the back and the coilover upgrade in the front, will it make the ride stiffer that it already is.
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Elder User
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From: Oregon
Might have to just email Pro Comp, or a supplier of Pro Comp to see what they will tell you. Just remember both the coilover and the MX6 are adjustable.
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Lead Driver
Joined: May 2000
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From: Senoia, GA
it's a truck for one...not supposed to ride like a cailllac Secondly you added a lift which stiffens it up (if it is a pre-fabbed store bought lift).
get some $$$ bling shocks, build custom springs with more/smaller leafs.
-cutts-
get some $$$ bling shocks, build custom springs with more/smaller leafs.
-cutts-
Senior User
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 132
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From: Temecula, CA
The problem with the coil spacer is that it pre-loads the coils to give more lift. This in effect reduces the springiness of the spring, and makes the ride harsher. I've put this on several new f-150s, and every one of the guys has told me the ride suffered. No, it's not a Cadillac, but it is not unreasonable to expect that your kidneys will survive the ride 
Posting Guru
Joined: Jun 2003
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From: Houston, Texas
Originally Posted by peteyg
The problem with the coil spacer is that it pre-loads the coils to give more lift. This in effect reduces the springiness of the spring, and makes the ride harsher. I've put this on several new f-150s, and every one of the guys has told me the ride suffered. No, it's not a Cadillac, but it is not unreasonable to expect that your kidneys will survive the ride
Is this an SFA vehicle? Did that lift come with longer control arms or were the stock arms reused?
Lead Driver
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 9,236
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From: Senoia, GA
jeremy, i think he is referring to the screw in spacers that you use a socket wrench and install in the space b/t the coils.
you have no idea....you outta come ride with me sometime. my truck rides like it is supposed to....rough as hell and it is my daily driver 
-cutts-
Originally Posted by peteyg
No, it's not a Cadillac, but it is not unreasonable to expect that your kidneys will survive the ride
-cutts-
Last edited by fishmanndotcom; May 3, 2004 at 08:18 PM.
Posting Guru
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From: Houston, Texas
Originally Posted by fishmanndotcom
jeremy, i think he is referring to the screw in spacers that you use a socket wrench and install in the space b/t the coils.
Elder User
Joined: Feb 2004
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From: Oregon
Hey peteyg, I'm just curious now. You said you've installed spacers on several new F-150's. You mean 04's? Because Fishmanndotcom seems to believe that the spacers go between the coils. I have seen pictures of the spacers for the new (04) F-150's, and they're just a large spacer that sits on top of the Coilover. In fact, Weapon, why don't you tell us(if your still watching)!
Lead Driver
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 9,236
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From: Senoia, GA
there are more than one kind of sapcer.....i know of the spacers i have used (the screw in type) and then there arew the ones that you can put under the coil bucket or even those that sit on top of the coil b/t the coild and the coil mount. but i am not too familiar with the newer trucks so i dunno, i was just clarifying for Jeremy's sake!
-cutts-
-cutts-