Topic Sponsor
2015 - 2020 Ford F150 General discussion on the 13th generation Ford F150 truck.
Sponsored by:
Sponsored by: Worksport

Can an F150 4x4 be lowered a few inches

Old Aug 14, 2016 | 08:22 PM
  #11  
Neffster's Avatar
Saved by Grace
 
Joined: Apr 2015
Posts: 528
Likes: 264
From: Salem, VA
Default

There is another thread on here where people were lowering their trucks and a competent shop found that with a 1.5" drop the drive shaft length bottomed out inside of the transmission. Here's the link: https://www.f150forum.com/f118/lower...5-f150-291534/

I recommend reading the whole thread and possibly contacting Livernois Motorsports to discuss their findings. The issue is raised on post 56 and it gets more interesting from there... plus there are some nice trucks in the thread.

Good Luck!
Reply
Old Aug 14, 2016 | 09:22 PM
  #12  
mudmedic's Avatar
Senior Member
Supporting Member

10 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Apr 2015
Posts: 201
Likes: 53
Default

Second the power running boards they come down much farther and are a real step as opposed to the fixed boards. I would take the wife to a dealership and have her try them on a truck there. If they work would be less invasive mod without affecting the drivetrain or suspension.Good luck
Reply
Old Aug 14, 2016 | 09:55 PM
  #13  
kur150's Avatar
Senior Member
 
Joined: Apr 2016
Posts: 166
Likes: 17
Default

Another vote for the power running boards. As has been said, they come down much
further and you have a wider platform to step on. My 85 yr old mother loves them, she
said how easy it was to get in and out of my truck. I also like the looks much better.
Reply
Old Aug 15, 2016 | 09:12 AM
  #14  
Livoniabob's Avatar
5 Year Member
10 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Jul 2015
Posts: 5,684
Likes: 1,286
From: SE Michigain
Default

Keep in mind that power running boards and snow don't always work together well..

But if they could of been gotten on a SuperCab I would of ordered them.. As it is I have gotten used to the truck and don't use the fixed boards to get in it and really should remove them.. They seem to get in the way more than they help..

Note I got the 4X4 this time for driving in snow also,, getting too old to chance getting stuck.. Miss the nice low ride of the 4X2 2002, and the confortable seats it had..

I'm still thinking of removing the rear blocks to drop the tailgate/ bed loading height the 11/4" inches..
Reply
Old Aug 15, 2016 | 11:57 AM
  #15  
Livernois Motorsports's Avatar
F150 Forum
 
Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 2,049
Likes: 547
From: Dearborn Heights, MI
Default

Originally Posted by lumpythetexan
Okay I'll ask, but why would you spend the extra money for a 4 wheel drive and then lower the truck? Why not spend a few thousand less and then lower the 2 wheel drive?
There is quite a bit that goes into dropping a 4x4 15-17 F150. As we have documented in other threads, we have our F150 dropped with a 2/4" kit with aftermarket wheels and our performance parts (obviously:thumbs. When we did drop the truck we took note that our factory driveshaft was pushed out of place yoke to seal. We had to have a custom fabricated driveshaft made and installed.

This is something that you should explore prior to making any decisions on lowering a 4x4!
Reply
Old Aug 15, 2016 | 07:51 PM
  #16  
Siskiyou's Avatar
Thread Starter
5 Year Member
5 Year Member
 
Joined: Feb 2016
Posts: 430
Likes: 55
From: Southern Oregon
Default

Do you know if I dropped it evenly 2" front and back if that would cause any problems. The 2" drop puts it right where my 02 Silverado is now which is a good height. I am curious if that leaves enough suspension travel front and rear. Thanks for all the information everyone.
Mike
Reply
Old Aug 15, 2016 | 08:47 PM
  #17  
BadAV's Avatar
No fart cans allowed
10 Year Member
Photoriffic
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Mar 2016
Posts: 4,332
Likes: 2,351
From: MO
Default

Originally Posted by carrierj
I saw another thread on here where they removed the 1.25" block from the rear axle. This will lower the rear a little, but i don't know about the front.
Removing the rear block is easy. I would recommend the OP try this first and see if this gains you enough drop to satisfy you. It costs you nothing except a little time and you can simply return it to stock if you don't like it.
Reply
Old Aug 16, 2016 | 04:59 AM
  #18  
lumpythetexan's Avatar
Senior Member
 
Joined: Sep 2014
Posts: 643
Likes: 68
From: Tucson, Arizona
Default

Originally Posted by Livernois Motorsports
There is quite a bit that goes into dropping a 4x4 15-17 F150. As we have documented in other threads, we have our F150 dropped with a 2/4" kit with aftermarket wheels and our performance parts (obviously:thumbs. When we did drop the truck we took note that our factory driveshaft was pushed out of place yoke to seal. We had to have a custom fabricated driveshaft made and installed.

This is something that you should explore prior to making any decisions on lowering a 4x4!
I know the old saying to each his own, but have never liked a truck that was lowered. To me they were very uncomfortable and defeat the purpose of buying a truck. Here is my 16 Larait and it's just about where I want it. I've done a Ranch Quick Lift, MTB Rims, 34x12.5x18 BFG KO2 tires, K&N CAI, Lund catch all floor mats, Lund bug deflector, LED headlights, LED fog lights, Roll n Lock Toneau cover, and Flowmaster antenna.
By the way it raised my front end after tires and leveling kit up 3 3/4 inches, so very happy with the way it looks. The front and rear are exactly the same height.
Reply
Old Aug 16, 2016 | 06:02 AM
  #19  
shoot summ's Avatar
Senior Member
15 Year Member
Liked
Loved
 
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 424
Likes: 37
Default

Originally Posted by lumpythetexan
I know the old saying to each his own, but have never liked a truck that was lowered. To me they were very uncomfortable and defeat the purpose of buying a truck. Here is my 16 Larait and it's just about where I want it. I've done a Ranch Quick Lift, MTB Rims, 34x12.5x18 BFG KO2 tires, K&N CAI, Lund catch all floor mats, Lund bug deflector, LED headlights, LED fog lights, Roll n Lock Toneau cover, and Flowmaster antenna.
By the way it raised my front end after tires and leveling kit up 3 3/4 inches, so very happy with the way it looks. The front and rear are exactly the same height.
While I like the looks of a lifted truck, for most of us it isn't practical, and does not make the truck handle better on the road. Most of us, lifters, and lowerers hate the factory rake, that I think we can agree on. So some of us choose to lower the rear to get rid of it, and others choose to lift the front.

But the OP didn't ask for opinions on lifted versus lowered, he has a specific case, that lifting does not apply too.

Back to the OP, pulling the blocks doesn't really improve access, but the power running boards do. My last truck had the fixed boards like the lifted truck above, they were essentially useless to me, and to my short wife. The power boards are very functional, come down far enough to be useful. So as others have suggested I would take a look at a truck with them, let her try them and see what she thinks.
Reply
Old Aug 16, 2016 | 06:51 AM
  #20  
BadAV's Avatar
No fart cans allowed
10 Year Member
Photoriffic
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Mar 2016
Posts: 4,332
Likes: 2,351
From: MO
Default

Originally Posted by shoot summ
While I like the looks of a lifted truck, for most of us it isn't practical, and does not make the truck handle better on the road. Most of us, lifters, and lowerers hate the factory rake, that I think we can agree on. So some of us choose to lower the rear to get rid of it, and others choose to lift the front.

But the OP didn't ask for opinions on lifted versus lowered, he has a specific case, that lifting does not apply too.

Back to the OP, pulling the blocks doesn't really improve access, but the power running boards do. My last truck had the fixed boards like the lifted truck above, they were essentially useless to me, and to my short wife. The power boards are very functional, come down far enough to be useful. So as others have suggested I would take a look at a truck with them, let her try them and see what she thinks.
Removing the rear blocks will lower the front door access points a small amount. It might be enough to work in this situation. If not, the next step is to pursue dropping the front also. Based on Livernois' comments here, that opens up it's own can of worms. Each individual needs to do their due diligence, go into it with that knowledge, and determine if they are willing to follow through with the necessary changes and expense. The OP is getting that information in this thread.

Last edited by BadAV; Aug 16, 2016 at 10:15 AM.
Reply

Thread Tools
Search this Thread

All times are GMT -4. The time now is 11:08 PM.