Ok. I know I dont have a lot of posts, but I turn to this site all the time for help. I read and dont post. It's my curse.

I have started the project of building my ideal prerunner out of a 2002 F150 XCab 2wd. I started with a 3 inch body lift to accomodate bigger tires and I had great success with it. It came with every single bolt and bracket I could have possibly needed. The bumpers have about a 1/2" space between the body and they're level. It even came with a billet steering extension. SWEET!

Here's the dilemma. I am ready to get my suspension up to par. I have been shopping for a good lift for a while now and I cant seem to get enough info. to weigh the pros and cons. I'm fairly short so I dont want something outrageously tall but I do want at least 6" or so to squeeze some 35's under the wells. I have read about 3" systems from Doetsch and RCD and I am not sure how a simple spindle lift will work as opposed to running a full lift with arms and the whole shebang. I plan on running 4.10s with 35's at least and I want to make sure that the suspension can take a beating if the terrain demands it. Does anyone know of a top notch 3-4" suspension lift that would look good on a 3" body-lifted prerunner with 35's? If I need homemade parts thats not a problem if I have some drafts/blueprints to go by. Any help will be greatly appreciated. All suggestions welcome except, "Get a 4X4". This is an unlikely option.

Thanks,

JB

 

Fabtech makes real good pre-runner suspension lifts. I would go with a 4.56 gear and a locker.

 

If my memory serves me correctly, Fabtech only makes a large lift kit for a truck like mine. In the tune of 7". I'm looking for 4" max making my truck 7" taller than stock. I would rather not remove the body lift but I may have to. Or, I may just get bigger tires for a 6-7" susp. lift on top of the BL. Who knows.

Yes, 4.56 would be better than 4.10. I calculated 4.10 for 33" tires. 4.56 will come out to around a 3.73 I believe with 35" tires.

JB

 

oh I didn't know Fabtech only makes taller lifts. If you have the money though I would get the 7" lift with the long arms and remove your body lift. the suspension travel will be much greater, which you need in a prerunner. you need the suspension to work. get beadlocked rims, 35" BFG baja tires, 4.56 gear and a detroit rear locker. that would be an awesome rig. then eventually a vortech supercharger for your 5.4!

 

Yes, the locker is definitely a good idea and is already in the works. The kits they make are as follows: 7.5" Ultimate Long Travel kit with 3.5" lift spindles long travel springs and shocks and tubular upper and lower control arms. Then they have the 7.5" Performance Crossmember system.This includes crossmembers, steering knuckles, spindles, shocks, spring etc.. I would kill to have this system but I was trying to avoid removing the body lift. What would be my best bet if I decided to leave the BL intact?

BTW, off topic. Anyone know of a tech article/guide to swapping an 8.8" ring and pinion? I know there's much more to it than dropping the chunk in a 9". Anyone?

JB

 

ring and pinions are whole different animal. you need to set them up right otherwise if there tolerance is to loose you can shred gears or if they are too tight you don;t get the proper lubrication in. i bought gears but am going to have a rearend shop do the work. to me its not worth messing up.

you can just keep the bodylift and go with a 4" lift from some other company.

 

Any specific brands or kits? Somebody?

JB

 

search for some posts by busa01, in this forum... he has about the same setup you are going for -minus- the body lift..

https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/s...d.php?t=197030

here is one to start off with..

I would suggest not using the body lift if you are planning to thrash on your truck prerunning. it will put extra leverage on the frame mounts and might bend something easier when landing from big air.

 

Are you going to use the truck for prerunning or off roading at all? if so lose the body lift the added leverage will break body mounts. body lifts and catching air do not mix well. but if you are just going for the look keep it. i type too slow, bremen beat me to the point

 

Thanks all of you. This truck is my daily driver but by God, I want it functional as well!!! I wont be going for big air all that much but I would like to be set up for it if I decide to take flight. There's nothing like having to back down from a challenge because you dont think your rig can handle it. Do any of you know of any brands of susp. lifts that people have used for prerunning other than Fabtech? If so, what height and what components did it include. (i.e. control arms, spindles, cross members, steering knuckles, etc. etc. etc.) Thanks again.

JB

 

You may check out Autofab, Camburg and Baja Concepts for some ideas.

 

You may check out Autofab, Camburg and Baja Concepts for some ideas.

Camburg/F150


Baja Concepts

AutoFab

Grab a beer and sit down before looking at the prices!!!

Edit: Baja Concepts isn't bad all things considered.

 

Hey, price doesnt matter. I want the best. I am thinking about going with the 7.5" Fabtech kit like busa01 has. I have a V8 and will more than likely have more potential to go farther than he. (No credit withheld) I like his truck and it does me good to see a V6 xcab with so many prerunner mods. I am dead set on not getting a spindle lift. I want springs and shocks and control arms. The whole pie. What's the point in getting a susp. lift if it doesnt help your susp.????? I would like to find a full 3" susp. lift if there is one available. Someone, fill me in if there is such a mod. Thanks.

JB

 

Don't the 2002's use the sterling 9.75 and not the 8.8"?
Either way, setting up gears isn't really that difficult. Get a master kit and an overhaul manual. You need a couple special tools, but they don't cost as much as the labor to have soemone else do it. If you're mechanically inclined, give it a shot. Worst you can do is raost a gear set, best is you can learn how to do it. So long as you check and recheck teh clearance it'll be fine.

Justin

 

As far as I know its an 8.8". What specialty tools do I need to do the swap. Feeler guages and??? What code do I run to check the differential size? Thanks.

JB