Originally Posted by hybridtuner

Put on a 2” Rough Country level kit for now so I could get the larger wheels on it. I plan on doing Coilover level in the future but for now this will get the job done.

Originally Posted by csmith72

Thanks, so strut extensions only or did you go with kit including shocks and block?

If consensus is coil overs do better job I would rather go that route to avoid doing work twice.

I mainly want level and cooler looking, but if can improve ride quality via shocks/struts (coilovers) I want to start there.

Truck looks great in your pic. Strut extensions only? What tire size? Guessing not stock wheels?

Originally Posted by csmith72

Great thread, in looking at leveling my 17 screw FX4 5.0. I would not mind lifting but there are no true bolt on lift kits and im not looking to to any cutting or drop a trans-axle in my driveway!. With that said im looking at either coil overs or the spacer looking leveler things.... I am good either way I believe. It does seem that some are stating anything above 2.5 there are some CV angle issues, but not sure how solid those statements are, yet anyway.

I intend on keeping my stock rims and eventually putting the largest tire they will fit without rubbing.

I am okay with the stock suspension, it definitely does not ride like a Lincoln, but would be nice if I could soften it up a little, at least in the rear. Feels fine driving but hear nothing but complaints from those sitting in the back seat on how bumpy it feels..... (Dr Scholls for the the rears in the rear right? )

I thought I read the FX4 comes with AT tires but mine has radials on it, guessing previous owner swapped out before trading in. (no TPMS sensors on rims when I bought it, had to remind ford dealer about their lawsuit in the early 2000's to get them to put them on for free) those TPMS sensors probably when with the tires on whatever previous owner put them on.

GOALS:
level out ride height
possibly slightly higher stance
capability for larger cooler looking tires
keep stock rims
for rare occasions when I do find somewhere to go off road, acceptable comfort and handling
I do tow occasionally at varied weights, sure nose up issue would suck but I do it so rarely not sure its a huge factor.

So questions:

1. From where to where on front and same on rear do I measure from to determine my current measurements in end to order the correct height leveling kit?
2. with the spacer type will still be using same struts and shocks, so no real difference in ride comfort, how about coil overs? I am reading mixed stories about some riding rougher than stock. I am looking at ICON and BLISTEN any others I should look at?
3. spacer type... no idea which brand to go for, thinking 2.5 on front, but wont know until I have measurements I suppose. any reccomendations on which brands to seriously look at?

Thanks in advance.

Originally Posted by sixpack577

Look at Fox, they are like Icon to where their coil overs just bolt in.
Bilstein require parts from the factory coil overs.
If the rear is too low after, measure how much, and buy rear blocks/u-bolts that are that much taller, stock are 1.25"

Originally Posted by sixpack577

Look at Fox, they are like Icon to where their coil overs just bolt in.
Bilstein require parts from the factory coil overs.
If the rear is too low after, measure how much, and buy rear blocks/u-bolts that are that much taller, stock are 1.25"

Originally Posted by Gopherboy128

The ability to just bolt them on and go, is what sold me on Fox over Bilstein. Did my install in the driveway, no special tools. First side took a bit, second side was super fast. Quick alignment a few days later and she's been great ever since!

Originally Posted by csmith72

I dont think strut swaps will take me long, dont many in driveway. Tools not issue, weather and lack of shop lift are. I like bolt on options because if I decide to trade truck in I can return to stock, same if I need serious warranty work done where warranty would be void because I lifted the truck.

I'm thinking I need to figure out tire size I can do before I decide which kit to do. I'm guessing on stock rims probably 33 is my max.

Originally Posted by Gopherboy128

I am going to go with 285/65R20 on factory SE wheels when I need to replace tires.

Originally Posted by csmith72

Thanks, 33 then. I'm thinking that should be plenty for me, not planning on going swamping.