Suspension lift
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Laughing Gas
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 794
Likes: 3
Suspension lift
Hey guys i have a 97 4x4 f150 4.6 175kmiles
I want a small lift, i was orignialy thinkin around a 3 or 4, but from lookin around it looks like a 6 is more practical (as far as it bein an off the shelf lift) I deffanintley dont want anything over 6 inches and would prefer a 4incher. but i was wounderin if yall could help me find a lift that meets what im lookin for.
1. Quality, I want a lift that all the parts that are replaced, are of a better quality than what im pullin off, I dont want to be goin threw a hole and worry if the steerin knuckles are gonna snap.
2. Easy to install, I dont have any experience with suspension (does changin my shocks count)
And i would like to do it my self, to save money, and just to learn about how it all works.
3. Would a 4" lift affect my transmissoin, or driveshaft, or differentials, rack and pinion, steering columb, transmission linkages to the shifter (auto tranny) in any way?
4. Well thats basicaly it. I dont want to loose "driveabilty" When im on the street will my truck still fell "normal" umm... like will it feel like the steering is floating.. ect??
Well thanks for your help
I want a small lift, i was orignialy thinkin around a 3 or 4, but from lookin around it looks like a 6 is more practical (as far as it bein an off the shelf lift) I deffanintley dont want anything over 6 inches and would prefer a 4incher. but i was wounderin if yall could help me find a lift that meets what im lookin for.
1. Quality, I want a lift that all the parts that are replaced, are of a better quality than what im pullin off, I dont want to be goin threw a hole and worry if the steerin knuckles are gonna snap.
2. Easy to install, I dont have any experience with suspension (does changin my shocks count)
And i would like to do it my self, to save money, and just to learn about how it all works.3. Would a 4" lift affect my transmissoin, or driveshaft, or differentials, rack and pinion, steering columb, transmission linkages to the shifter (auto tranny) in any way?
4. Well thats basicaly it. I dont want to loose "driveabilty" When im on the street will my truck still fell "normal" umm... like will it feel like the steering is floating.. ect??
Well thanks for your help
Post Fiend
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 5,871
Likes: 0
From: Coutts Canada
a good quality lift should include all of that Monty, for the rear get a kit that doesn't uses blocks, new rear leafs or a shackle flip (sky makes a kit that gives around 3-4" and would be what i'd do for the rear in your case, but you will need to get a brake line, and new shocks seperate) Your d-shafts should be fine with only 4".
Postmaster
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 2,976
Likes: 0
From: Rep. of Texas
Steering will be fine if you get a 6" drop pitman arm, driveshafts will be fine, "brake lines, shocks, alignment, brackets" will need to be changed out.
Go 6", youll be happy later.
What tires will you run?
Go 6", youll be happy later.
What tires will you run?
Thread Starter
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Laughing Gas
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 794
Likes: 3
Yea The only problem is if I go 6 inches im gonna want 38" tires, and im gonna want 5 sumthin gears, and then im gonna have to rebuild my tranny runnin those kinda gears and tires, my trucks got a 176k miles on her. Im only 17 years old, A 3 or 4" so i can fit 33" mudders, and not have to spend any major money on havin to modify other parts of my truck.
Senior User
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 370
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From: gurnee
well i had a 1995 f150 with a 4" rancho lift and it was awesome. it rode smooth and with the 4" you can fit 33" tires or 35" if its a mall crawler (from what i hear). my lift had dual shocks and coils up front, add-a-leafs in the back, as well as new radius arms up front. the previous owner had put all this on so i didnt have to worry about the price but after looking online i think it was about $1500 
. pretty expensive, but since i just bought the truck i wasnt really payin for the lift. i dont know about installing it but i have some good news for you! if you get petersens mag, they have an article in it on how to instal an IFS lift. they install a rancho lift on an 80s bronc with the ttb front axle. this is the exact lift that i had only mine had dual shocks up front. i dont know how detailed the article is but im sure it would help a little bit. well thats just my 2 cents. best of luck!
adam
. pretty expensive, but since i just bought the truck i wasnt really payin for the lift. i dont know about installing it but i have some good news for you! if you get petersens mag, they have an article in it on how to instal an IFS lift. they install a rancho lift on an 80s bronc with the ttb front axle. this is the exact lift that i had only mine had dual shocks up front. i dont know how detailed the article is but im sure it would help a little bit. well thats just my 2 cents. best of luck!adam
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Laughing Gas
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 794
Likes: 3
did it level the rear? I see that on alot of the suspension lifts, but thats not what i want, i like the bed an inch or two higher than the front end
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Senior User
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 370
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From: gurnee
yeah the bed did end up being level. but if you wanted a higher rear end, there are probably easy ways to just buy bigger springs.
adam
adam
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well if you were looking for something small...your gonna have trouble fitting 37 inch tires...first those meats are very expensive, your prolly gonna need wheels with backspacing at least, gears, differentials(maybe),
unless you can rebuild your rear end yourself it will be very expensive...ive heard gear install estimates for frotn and rear above 1100 bux
unless you can rebuild your rear end yourself it will be very expensive...ive heard gear install estimates for frotn and rear above 1100 bux
Lead Driver
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 9,236
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From: Senoia, GA
Originally Posted by DcSkater602
well if you were looking for something small...your gonna have trouble fitting 37 inch tires...first those meats are very expensive, your prolly gonna need wheels with backspacing at least, gears, differentials(maybe),
unless you can rebuild your rear end yourself it will be very expensive...ive heard gear install estimates for frotn and rear above 1100 bux
unless you can rebuild your rear end yourself it will be very expensive...ive heard gear install estimates for frotn and rear above 1100 bux
lol 1100 is a bit steep even for setting up gears but it isn't all that hard! i have done a couple sets myself. just follow the directions
-cutts-
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