4" Lift Suggestions
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Lead Driver
Joined: Oct 2004
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From: Columbia, MO
4" Lift Suggestions
I'm looking for a 4" lift that has a good ride quality. I bought it used and it's got a simple add-a-leaf type lift in the front (4") and rear (3") but the ride sucks. I know it's a 1 ton and it's not going to ride like a Caddilac, but it's pretty bad so I'm looking for an improvement. Anyway, I'm not looking for an extreme off road suspension. My truck is on the pavement 95% of the time, lots of highway driving and towing a trailer. I would like to keep it relatively level though, not the nose down look of that the stock suspension has.
So, any suggestions or opinions on what brands to look into for a good on road ride? Thanks for your input!!
So, any suggestions or opinions on what brands to look into for a good on road ride? Thanks for your input!!
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Joined: Jul 2005
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Well, since mine is an 05 and I have coils on the front, I can't tell you exactly. For your year--from what I hear, Superfilft springs are great. I have a Superlift 4" myself and I love it...but it may be different... maybe someone else will chime in.
Wait!! a chance to add some pics?!!?
http://myweb.csuchico.edu/~kengelbert1/snow2.JPG
Image changed to link. -Beast12
Wait!! a chance to add some pics?!!?
http://myweb.csuchico.edu/~kengelbert1/snow2.JPG
Image changed to link. -Beast12
Last edited by Beast12; Mar 21, 2006 at 05:34 PM.
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Lead Driver
Joined: Oct 2004
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From: Columbia, MO
Thank you. Hadn't seen that. I read through that, but most of the lifts there were more than 4 inches. But, of the 4" lifts there, it seemed to be that the Donahoe Racing or Skyjacker gave the best rides.
I'm still open for input on this one.
I'm still open for input on this one.
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Joined: Feb 2003
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From: Puyallup, Wa.
Don't know how much more your looking for. My post is in the poll but I'll tell you what I know. Mine is the DR 4" spring lift. Ride quality is good, I'm happy with it. There are those who will say with the lift on their truck the ride is better than stock but I doubt it. Anyway, you get what you pay for. DR is pricey but worth it. If ride is the main concern you could go back to stock springs and go with a hanger kit. Get good shocks, Bilsteins are what I have. Do your research. Lots of posts here with good info, not just the poll. Use the search feature. You seem to post a lot so you know your way around here. It'll pay off in the long run.
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Lead Driver
Joined: Oct 2004
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From: Columbia, MO
The DR is pricey, but seems to be put together very well. The thing I like about the Skyjacker is that you can get a kit that includes rear springs as well. I'm sure you can get them from DR as well, but for a price. With near 150K on the odo, my guess is the stock spring packs are getting pretty worn out. So, I'd like to get new springs front and rear. I ran a few searches, but figured I might try to get some new/updated info with a new thread.
I guess it all comes down to how much I want to spend. I'll have to do some calling to find price differences with different brands/package/options. I don't know that I'm necessarily looking for more, just open to hear what anyone has to say. I'm in no rush on this one. This is something I definately don't want to do twice.
I guess it all comes down to how much I want to spend. I'll have to do some calling to find price differences with different brands/package/options. I don't know that I'm necessarily looking for more, just open to hear what anyone has to say. I'm in no rush on this one. This is something I definately don't want to do twice.
Postmaster
Joined: Jan 2005
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From: Phenix City, AL
Just keep in mind that if you are looking to keep your stock ride quality, a few things that you'll want to keep in mind are:
1 - A hanger / shackle lift keeps your stock springs, thus maintaining the ride quality.
2 - A lift that uses flatter springs (i.e. blocks or a combination of blocks & hangers) will usually ride better
3 - A lift that uses lots of thinner leaves, rather than a few thick leaves, will ride smoother. Just remember, thinner leaf packs usually don't have the load capacity that the thicker ones do and tend to sag over time.
A far as ride quality goes, I think the majority of folks agree that DR is the way to go. Superlift would be next on the list and then Skyjacker. I have the Skyjacker, it is slightly stiffer than stock, but it is an all spring lift. It does handle off road better than it did stock, but in day to day driving the train track type bumps will shake you a bit.
1 - A hanger / shackle lift keeps your stock springs, thus maintaining the ride quality.
2 - A lift that uses flatter springs (i.e. blocks or a combination of blocks & hangers) will usually ride better
3 - A lift that uses lots of thinner leaves, rather than a few thick leaves, will ride smoother. Just remember, thinner leaf packs usually don't have the load capacity that the thicker ones do and tend to sag over time.
A far as ride quality goes, I think the majority of folks agree that DR is the way to go. Superlift would be next on the list and then Skyjacker. I have the Skyjacker, it is slightly stiffer than stock, but it is an all spring lift. It does handle off road better than it did stock, but in day to day driving the train track type bumps will shake you a bit.
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Lead Driver
Joined: Oct 2004
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From: Columbia, MO
Wow...lots of good info. I know the 7.3 PDS engine inside and out, but the whole suspension game is new to me.
My whole thing, is it's got lift to it now, accomplished by the addition of thicker springs in the front and rear added to the stock springs. I think that's why the ride is really stiff. I don't want to go any higher though, so I was looking for a complete 4" lift kit that has new springs (front and rear) in it too. Also, after doing some reasearch, I'm pretty sure that I've got some driveline vibrations, most likely cause by the carrier bearing not being shimmed and the drive line is binding somewhere. This was all done before I bought the truck, and it seems like it was a cheap way to go. Sacrificing performance for looks. I don't play that game. Performance is first for me, looks secondary, but it's always got to be first class stuff. That's why I bought a Ford in the first place.
I'll give DR and Superlift a call to see what their options are.
My whole thing, is it's got lift to it now, accomplished by the addition of thicker springs in the front and rear added to the stock springs. I think that's why the ride is really stiff. I don't want to go any higher though, so I was looking for a complete 4" lift kit that has new springs (front and rear) in it too. Also, after doing some reasearch, I'm pretty sure that I've got some driveline vibrations, most likely cause by the carrier bearing not being shimmed and the drive line is binding somewhere. This was all done before I bought the truck, and it seems like it was a cheap way to go. Sacrificing performance for looks. I don't play that game. Performance is first for me, looks secondary, but it's always got to be first class stuff. That's why I bought a Ford in the first place.
I'll give DR and Superlift a call to see what their options are.
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From: Milky Way Galaxy
Originally Posted by jtharvey
My whole thing, is it's got lift to it now, accomplished by the addition of thicker springs in the front and rear added to the stock springs.
I'll give DR and Superlift a call to see what their options are.
I'll give DR and Superlift a call to see what their options are.
, I'm going to have to agree with BFR250SD. If you want a better than stock ride, take the add-a-leafs out of your stock springs and go with either DR or Skyjacker's (I don't believe Superlift makes a hanger/shackle kit) spring hanger/shackle kit. Then slap on a good set of premium shocks (Bilstein 5100, Rancho RS9000, Fox, etc.). You'd be suprised how smooth the ride can be. . . on anything other than SoCal freeways.
Last edited by EnviroCon; Mar 21, 2006 at 07:40 PM.
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Lead Driver
Joined: Oct 2004
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From: Columbia, MO
I tired some Rancho RS9000s last summer, they helped a little, but those extra springs are going to have to come out. Now it's just deciding how much I want to spend on the rest of the lift kit. Should have new tires and wheels coming soon, worn out tires and a bent rim (no idea how that happened) have required that. I've lived with the suspension this stiff for over 3 years now, so I'm pretty sure I can make it for a few more months.
I'll call DR, Skyjacker, and Superlift. That's probably the best way to find out for sure what each one has available.
I'll call DR, Skyjacker, and Superlift. That's probably the best way to find out for sure what each one has available.
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Joined: Jun 2004
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From: Milky Way Galaxy
When you do decide which lift and if your thinking of installing it yourself. There are 2 places that sell and ship lifts anywhere (or install them if you're nearby)who's names pop-up again and again on the forum as having good prices and quality service. Truck Toyz in McAllen, TX and Superduty Headquarters (these are the guys I use) just outside of Pheonix, AZ.
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Lead Driver
Joined: Oct 2004
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From: Columbia, MO
Well, I'm not close to either, but I'll definately keep those places in mind when it comes time to order. I may try the install myself, but will most likely leave it to a shop. That is, unless I can access the lifts at the dealer over the weekend. Friends who work there are nice to have.