ntxf150

Okay, so I just picked up my new crew cab 4x4 F-150 last week. I've spent several hours searching about lift kits and such and I'm trying to get some honest opinions about what I should buy for the best/closet factory ride quality with the least amount of worries. And I also dont want off center wheels which I have read a couple of kits do intentionally for some reason.

Rize- Best, but takes forever and costs a ton with horrible customer service

Fabtech- Seems to be the most common, but Im worried about the part where you cut off the differential mount and drill a hole for a new mounting area. Should I be worried about this? Wouldn't it weaken the housing?

Skyjacker- Couldn't find much info, but seems to be decent. I just don't want to run 20" wheels.

BDS- Another consistently recommended kit that I really like and is likely close to the top of my list, except it plainly states that it offsets the rear axle forward a bit. Does anyone know why or have a fix for this?

RCX- not interested

Pro Comp- not "highly" recommended and has issues with off center wheels

Anyway, if you guys can help me out, I'd really appreciate it. My current plan is 6" of lift and 18" wheels with 35's and possibly 37's later on down the line that dont have any off centered wheels or crappy ride.

Thanks for the help!

Hdwindjammer

I would go hands down with the Fabtech... In my opinion they have the BEST product for lifted trucks. But, TOP DOLLAR would have to be a Kelderman Air Lift Kit ..... but, they don't make them for Ford F-150's If your looking down the road to put a set of 37's on, I would look into an 8" lift not a 6".. The majority of 6" lift kits only allow you to go with 35's tops...

Mikey73

I just did a Zone 6" on my '11 F150 (which is a sister company of BDS) also with a Daystar 1" spacer up front. It has 325/65-18 Nitto Dune's on Helo 18x10 (-24 / 4.5 BS).Time consuming install but very smooth install and rides sooo sweet.Just another option to consider.

DavidSchlot822

[MENTION=173686]ntxf150[/MENTION]

On the left - my truck with 6.5" McGaughys lift, 35s and 20s
On the right - [MENTION=127892]2012platinum[/MENTION] truck with 6"RCX lift, Bilstein 5100s set at 1.5 I believe, 35s and 20s


I love my McGaughys lift, it rides better than stock and it gave me enough height that if I stayed with 20x9s I could clear 37s.

Hdwindjammer

Mikey73... I like the way you incorporated the BLACK on your fender flares and door bottom. Can I ask what you used for that look?? I had the same look on my 2011 Ranger but, I used Line-X for the job. I just got a 2013 Ford F-150, Ecoboost. I am thinking of putting on Bushwacker Pocket fender flares and using Line-X again..

Mikey73

Thanks! This truck was built for our local Ford dealer by a good friend if mine that owns a local speed and custom shop.They do about 10 or so a year.This was one of the first they done a while back...the bars,lights,decals and originally it had AR black 20" wheels. They used Rhino on the first trucks (this one included).I've heard good and bad about Rhino but after two yrs. and it's still holding up.They use LineX now for lower body jobs now and use bed liner from Lowes and apply the FORD logos in the beds of trucks they build now.

ntxf150

Thanks for the pics and suggestions guys! Yalls trucks look good! I'm actually leaning more towards BDS right now than anything else and maybe Fabtech. Only thing I dont like about the fabtech though is the diff mount issue. I thought about an 8 inch lift, but all I can find is Rize which apparently sucks to deal with so they are not really even a consideration. Most likely I'll be going with BDS though because they advertise being able to use 37's.

Mikey73

Can't go wrong wrong with BDS for sure.I looked for weeks at lifts and narrowed it down to BDS,Zone,McGaughy's and Fabtech.I didn't want to cut my diff either and as much as I liked the McGaughy's kit I opted not to run a big spacer up front...just my preference.I am running a 1" Daystar however by the suggestion of a tech @ Zone.Also I have a 1" add a leaf for the rear but haven't got that far yet to put it in?The Zone is nice,heavy duty and I got a stupid deal on it from SBC Off-road so that ended up being my route.

2012platinum

if your wanting to go 37's eventually, then get the bds with the coilover option. that will give you enough to clear them as long as you dont go with a crazy offsett. i am running 20x12's with -44 and i knew they would clear with 8'' so im ordering a 3" BL next month to give me 10.5". i love the rcx lift. it was priced way cheaper than most, went on easy, directions were spot on, and it was quality parts. no fitment issues at all. [MENTION=120634]DavidSchlot822[/MENTION] is right. my bilsteins are set at 1.5" in front.

DavidSchlot822

You're other option for a full 8 inch kit is full throttle suspension but they cost a pretty penny. I think the BDS with the coilovers would be your best option.