Raptor suspension conversion help
01-26-2014, 01:56 PM
#11
Senior Member
http://www.f150online.com/forums/mem...s-165-new.html Here is a link to the pics on my truck on the other f150 forum. The OP has a 4x4 not 2WD right? The knuckles play a very small role in the UCA and LCA change out. I put stock Raptor OEM UCA and LCA and tie rod's on my 2008 FX4. I have a rancho lift 4-6" (doesn't matter) because I let the Raptor front shocks dictate my ride height buy using a very small custom spacer to make it 6" Lift of just use mid perch on the Raptor shock to make it a 4" lift. Adjust your rear blocks accordingly depending on much rake you want. The key is the custom differential spacers I had made. You can see them in the pics. Without these you would have to have longer axles custom made, or buy a set for of aftermarket ones from a Long Travel company. War Surfer: A lot of the 09 parts are interchangeable (the motor too, except the intake, plugs and COPS). I just bought the stuff used and bolted it right on in most instances. The Body parts will bolt on too but you need them all (Hood, grill, fenders, etc...you can't use some without them all). I would be glad to answer any questions. My Truck is using the Rancho Lift kit supplied Knuckles, however, if you don't want to lift your truck your knuckles will work.
This is the first I'm hearing they are the same (04-08 & 09-up) and have been told the opposite on many occasions. You made it work so that means the conversion is easier than had been expressed in the past. Noted.
01-26-2014, 02:03 PM
#12
The knuckles were a complete non-factor other than providing extra height for the shocks. You can NOT use the raptor front shocks without "lift kit knuckles". No way that works. They are too short. Obviously you need an alignment done as well.
War Surfer, I feel your pain. I am fairly certain I was the first one to do this because nobody anywhere could answer my questions. I just went out and bought the stuff and did it. Except for a few small issues it went together fine. The suspension is really "tight" too. The back Raptor shocks are REALLY GOOD. They bolt on any F150 4x4, lifted or not. Believe it or not they will raise your truck 1/2" in the rear. I have them on 2 trucks and it did it to both of them.
War Surfer, I feel your pain. I am fairly certain I was the first one to do this because nobody anywhere could answer my questions. I just went out and bought the stuff and did it. Except for a few small issues it went together fine. The suspension is really "tight" too. The back Raptor shocks are REALLY GOOD. They bolt on any F150 4x4, lifted or not. Believe it or not they will raise your truck 1/2" in the rear. I have them on 2 trucks and it did it to both of them.
01-26-2014, 02:20 PM
#13
Okay wait, let me get this straight, you bolted up raptor Uca and lca to your lift kit and still were able to use oem raptor front shocks? And your control arms bolted up to the lift knuck with no problems? This is so amazing.... Now it's my turn to do this.
01-26-2014, 02:32 PM
#14
Yes...go look at the pics in the link. http://www.f150online.com/forums/mem...s-165-new.html DO NOT overlook the diff spacers I hade made. It will not work without them or longer axles. Again, The Raptor OEM axles do not the F150 prior to 2009. That's why I made the spacers. Fabtech makes a 3/4" differential spacer for their lift that I found doing my research. I bought a set (that I would sell you for $100 never used) that I used to have a local shop copy and make 3" thick. If I was to do it again I would make them 3.75 inches thick so the tie rods have more adjustment. And you HAVE to machine one end of the Raptor tie Rod (steering rack side) smaller to make it fit a a 2004-2008 F150. Minor stuff. That cost me $100 at a local shop.
or try this on any 2004-2008 lifted truck:
If you don't want to use the raptor UCA and LCA you can still use the Raptor shocks with any 4" or higher lift kit. Look at my OTHER truck on the other forumn (Yellow F150 lifted). I just bolted on the shocks in mid perch on that truck too. The shocks WILL NOT WORK with stock knuckles or a leveling kit....forget that. You need lift kit size 4" or above Knuckles. With this modification the shocks "barely" rub on the axle as it turns. I mean paper thin barely...I just let them rub a small indentation into the shock body. No harm at all.
http://www.f150online.com/forums/mem...mid-perch.html
or try this on any 2004-2008 lifted truck:
If you don't want to use the raptor UCA and LCA you can still use the Raptor shocks with any 4" or higher lift kit. Look at my OTHER truck on the other forumn (Yellow F150 lifted). I just bolted on the shocks in mid perch on that truck too. The shocks WILL NOT WORK with stock knuckles or a leveling kit....forget that. You need lift kit size 4" or above Knuckles. With this modification the shocks "barely" rub on the axle as it turns. I mean paper thin barely...I just let them rub a small indentation into the shock body. No harm at all.
http://www.f150online.com/forums/mem...mid-perch.html
Last edited by Jeffbang62; 01-26-2014 at 02:37 PM.
01-26-2014, 02:34 PM
#15
Senior Member
IF the 04-08 knuckles are the same as 09-up and you are using Raptor UCAs/LCAs, why wouldn't the Raptor coilovers fit? Is the top 'bucket' or whatever it's called that the top of the coilover mounts to in a different place on 04-08 than on 09-up?
The only reason I'm asking or care is I want to build up a cheap beater using a 04-08 chassis/cab, Raptor suspension and an Eco take-out and I'm in data gathering mode. I already have a Raptor now I want something that won't cost me $100k if I roll it.
01-26-2014, 02:50 PM
#17
Ok, I'm not in any way trying to be confrontational or argumentative, but now I'm confused and I'm sure it's the keyboard nut on this end.
IF the 04-08 knuckles are the same as 09-up and you are using Raptor UCAs/LCAs, why wouldn't the Raptor coilovers fit? Is the top 'bucket' or whatever it's called that the top of the coilover mounts to in a different place on 04-08 than on 09-up?
The only reason I'm asking or care is I want to build up a cheap beater using a 04-08 chassis/cab, Raptor suspension and an Eco take-out and I'm in data gathering mode. I already have a Raptor now I want something that won't cost me $100k if I roll it.
IF the 04-08 knuckles are the same as 09-up and you are using Raptor UCAs/LCAs, why wouldn't the Raptor coilovers fit? Is the top 'bucket' or whatever it's called that the top of the coilover mounts to in a different place on 04-08 than on 09-up?
The only reason I'm asking or care is I want to build up a cheap beater using a 04-08 chassis/cab, Raptor suspension and an Eco take-out and I'm in data gathering mode. I already have a Raptor now I want something that won't cost me $100k if I roll it.
I didn't have an 09 to compare too so all I can speak of is my experience with my 2004 and my 2008 FX4's. The Shock "bucket " or tower in my 04 and my 08 accepts the raptor shock in stock fashion. The holes are the same and the shock bolts right in to the "bucket or tower" The lower shock bolts directly into the stock F150 LCA too. No issues. the issue is the stock 2004-2008 knuckle does not provide enough Height for the shock to fit. Therefore Lifted Knuckles (lift kit) are required to use the Raptor shock.
However, If you just want to widen your front end of your 2004-2008 and use the Raptor UCA and Lca's and tie rods you DO NOT NEED TO CHANGE YOUR STOCK KNUCKLES. With this set up you can NOT use the raptor shock in front. You will have to use a shorter shock. Maybe the 09 SHock Bucket or tower is mounted higher on the frame than the 2004-2008 F150? That would explain a lot of things. I have a stock set of 2004 -2008 Knuckles with 46K miles on them that I would sell for $100 plus shipping. I would also be glad to measure them for you to check the over all height.
The rear shocks will fit a bone stock truck all day. They also work exactly the same on my lifted trucks. They are really GOOD!
01-26-2014, 02:52 PM
#18
Basically a machine shop will make the threaded end of the Raptor tie rod smaller with a die set and lathe? I didn't watch him do it. I just took him my F150 tie rod and the raptor tie rod and said make the raptor threads the same as the F150 threads.