While at the dealer today I saw they had 2 15s there. A XLT FX4 Eco & A Lariat FX4 5.0L

I noticed that the shocks are staggered, the drivers side faces the rear now? Why do they do this 97-03 had them like this 04-14 both forward, now staggered again.

Also noticed that the 5.0L truck had a square looking rearend housing. It wasn't the normal 8.8" or 9.75". The Eco had the regular 9.75" housing but the 8.8" was larger than the normal 8.8" and much more square than its circle shape I'm used too. WTH is it??

Can't wait to work on one to get more time to go over it more to see what else they changed.

Wayne

 

Interested about the differentials if they changed them.

 

Also crawled under it to see if there was a tag to say what it was but there wasn't one.

Wayne

 

I believe the rear ends look different due to the electronic locker on most of the 4x4 trucks.

The staggered shocks typically help reduce wheel hop. The geometry changes as the suspension travels, the springs and shocks both work together, and oppose each other, reducing the amount of felt impact.

 

The rear end in this truck is much smoother than my 08

 

Disclaimer,
I believe, I could be wrong.
In the past the larger 9.75 rear end only came with the Locking Rear End or Traction Lock, Equal Lock, etc.
The smaller Rear End didn't have the Locking Rear End.
I can't comment on the 2015 Shocks?

 

The 2015 has the electronic locking rear diff available without the need to step up. Only the HD Payload package shows the 9.75" gears.

 

Without the need to step up? What is step up?

Wayne

 

Meant to say, you can get the electric locker with almost all gear ratios, no need to get a special package, and no need to include the larger gear set offered in the HD Payload.

 

The rear end is much smoother in my 2015 then my last 2010. Both lifted