How are suspensions lift's measured? Is it from the ground to the bottom of the lower shock mounting bracket?

I want to get an idea of what to expect going with a 4" vs. a 6" lift. The price is within a few hundred either way but I dont want to regret going with a 4" lift if its not going to look good enough, ie. not enough difference over stock. I am thinking of a set 16x10.5 AE 589's with a BFG mud terrain or Goodyear Mud terrain's to start.

I have the problem of dealing with a fiancee and a dog that always ride with me so they need to be able to get in. I have step bars for the woman but am concered about the dog, Im not going to lift him in every time.

Does Fabtech make a 4" suspension lift? Is a 6" to big for everyday driving and getting in and out daily?

 

i have a 6" skyjacker lift on a 97 f350, and with 38" tires, the truck sits apprx. 10" over stock. i have some steps on it, and it really helps. of course, you have the steering wheel to grab hold of while getting it, but the passenger doesnt have much. all the girls i hang out with always complain about getting into the truck, so you might want to keep that in mind.

and remember, larger tires will add a few inches onto what lift you already have because of the larger diameter.

 

It is not too late to call off the wedding, if she complains about the truck being lifted, you may be in for a world of hurt later down the road. (just kidding,,,,maybe.) As for the dog, might not be so easy to replace. Is it a good hunting dog? A good one will get so fired up to go hunting, they will find a way to get in. Both of my Labs find their way into all of my vehicles, and the samllest runs 38" tires.
Either way, the 4" kit is going to seem huge at first, and so will the 6" kit. After a little time, you will get used to it, and getting in the thing will get easier, and easier. Soon it will get to a point where you don't think it is big enough, and you will be shopping for 8" or bigger. It happens to everyone eventually. Also when you do lift it, try not to yank on that steering wheel to assist in vehicle entry, it wipes out the column. Just a tip.

 

Seeing how you havn't mentioned cost as an issue Go with the Fabtech 6 inch and add AMP power deployable boards. Extremely reliable, very well made and they tuck up almost invisible and when they deploy they have a wide flat surface that will be close to the non lifted factory cab step height. Thay were developed to OEM standards for Dodge at first. We sell them installed up here for $1,695 canadian, I assume around $1,400 down there. I have a video link on our site http://www.f150sale.com/video.html

 

Hey all,

Thanks for the replies. My only concern with the 6", and it may be somewhat unwarranted, is that it would be a little towering, and the size would increase further overall with larger tires. I guess what I was thinking, is if I decided with a 4" lift how much more height could one expect if putting some 35" tires on it? They are taller, but how much does the overal diameter attribute to the height increase? From what I understand 35" would be a good size to fill the wheel wells on a 4" lift - leaving a nice clean space of about 4-6 inches of clearance between the top of the tire and top centre of the wheel well? I want something nicely proportioned.

I should have stated this will be for an 02 ford f150 supercrew.

Also as a side note, we have two dogs...both english springer spaniels, and yes we use them for duck hunting on occasion though they HAVE to come anywhere we go...they currently jump up onto the step bars and make and scramble their way in to the back but lifting the current step bars up much higher will make it tough for them I think.

I reviewed the link with the AMP retractable running boards. Like the idea but also like the looks of some solid chrome tubulars always present.

Jim - I am in Ontario, Canada ...London actually so west of you. I am looking for a reseller of Fabtech kits in Canada. Are you able to supply me with any info on Canadian companies selling their kits?

 

Ok, a 4" lift would give you 4"s, but then the tires will add height.
For example say you have a stock 31" tire, and you put some 35s. That's a 4" difference, but only 2"s more from the ground to the axle center. So with 35s and a 4" lift your truck would be 6" taller than now.

 

Yup MBB has got it. Your main choices are Fabtech, Superlift, Trailmaster, Procomp for 5-6" and Rancho for 4". Fabtech kit does not require a torsion bar adjustment to achieve any of the lift giving you a better ride and doesn't put added stress on the torsion bar that is already known to have the odd snap. Next is what tires and wheels do you want? A small diameter tire will look unbalanced with the lift. I'll PM you FTE member pricing on Fabtech and you wont have brokerage or duties. That part is easy. But just a thought, and yes I am a Ford dealer so get ready... It sounds like you really want a nice truck with just a little bit of lift? A 6" lift is 6 in front, 3.5 in rear, a 4" is 4 in front 1.5 in rear etc. The 04-07 uses coil spring front suspension allowing you to get a 2.5" front lift (leveling) for about $150 plus install. For your truck, a 4", 5" or 6" will cost somewhere around the same then you need tires, then you'll need rims with proper backspace, then they will stick out to far and if you want to use mirrors in winter you'll need flares and we still need steps. You could be looking at $6,000 canadian by the time you're done unless you install your self. You could trade the truck for a used 04 (or new ) style and add our Mojave PKG for $2,299. http://www.f150sale.com/mojave.htmlJust a thought, I'll send you fabtech price.

 

Hi a_User , been following your post and Jim Carson at Blackstock Ford Lincoln has sent me a message that you have sent him recently regarding a 4" lift kit by Rancho. I have pricing here for you but would like you to write me a quick note telling me exactly what your looking for and what your concerns are. Max tire size on a Rancho 4" for your particular truck is 33" w/rancho kit only. Theres a bunch of optional components that you can add to this too, for example skid plates, stabilizers for the steering, adjustable shocks etc. Please feel free to send me a quick note meanie@sympatico.ca so we can discuss this in further detail ... thanks

 

Hi Father Patrick. I will be in touch shortly.

 

Looking forward to hearing from you ...

 

YOUR fiancee CANT GET IN YOUR TRUCK THIS IS WHAT YOU do...get a milK crate let her step on it and if she still cant get in your give her a pinch on her back side that will make her jump so high she will jump right in the truck.I should know i use to do it to my girl friend.LOL

 

We have a customer who has 1 hoop step drivers side only. On the passenger door it says "If she can't make it, she aint worthy"

 

interesting topic since i am in nearly the same boat. someone above mntioned that 4inch lift only supports a 33inch tire. how come i see many pictures of people with just a 3inch body lift running 35inch tires and it dosent look like they have trimmed any fender.

 

Scott, there is a difference between body lift and suspension lift, the kit mentioned is a Rancho suspension lift for an 02' F-150 and Rancho suggest that the biggest tire you can use with this kit is a 33". Now it would stand to reason that a body lift might provide more clearance, but that doesn't apply to this particular case as we are only installing a suspension lift.

There are a million articals I'm sure on the net that will describe the pros and cons of a body lift, not to mention all the added work that may go along with it, although a body lift kit itself is super cheap, the mods that you might have to do after the fact to make it work might cost you an arm and a leg. To mention a few, you might have to extend your brake lines, steering shaft, tranny linkage and shifter arm, gas filler neck, some cases you might have to move your rad.. so on and so forth. Not to mention, the overall look of the truck when your done, depending on body type, it may leave a huge gap between say body and bumpers.

 

does the rancho lift require adjustment of the torsion bar?