Basic Suspension Questions
05-06-2013, 12:53 PM
#1
Basic Suspension Questions
I don't know much about suspension or lift options and I have some specific questions. I currently have a 2013 Platinum and I' quite happy with her. When I purchased, I agonized over the FX4 or the Platinum but the price difference was only $1000 so I went with the Platinum and no regrets.
When I test drove both the FX4 and Platinum the suspension felt quite different - the FX4 felt like it handled the bumps better and the Platinum felt more like a smoother ride except when it came to bumps or uneven roadway. I liked the feel of the FX4 slightly better.
Is it possible to fit my Platinum with the same shocks/suspension setup as the FX4 or a better one?
If so, what should I get (brands and part models please)?
Should I lift the Platinum at the same time (other than looking cool, is there any other reason to lift the truck)?
How much should I budget for this? Of course I know I can spend any amount, but realistically, I'm not a 1%'er even though I splurged for the Platinum!
Thanks in advance!
When I test drove both the FX4 and Platinum the suspension felt quite different - the FX4 felt like it handled the bumps better and the Platinum felt more like a smoother ride except when it came to bumps or uneven roadway. I liked the feel of the FX4 slightly better.
Is it possible to fit my Platinum with the same shocks/suspension setup as the FX4 or a better one?
If so, what should I get (brands and part models please)?
Should I lift the Platinum at the same time (other than looking cool, is there any other reason to lift the truck)?
How much should I budget for this? Of course I know I can spend any amount, but realistically, I'm not a 1%'er even though I splurged for the Platinum!
Thanks in advance!
05-06-2013, 05:13 PM
#2
I don't know much about suspension or lift options and I have some specific questions. I currently have a 2013 Platinum and I' quite happy with her. When I purchased, I agonized over the FX4 or the Platinum but the price difference was only $1000 so I went with the Platinum and no regrets.
When I test drove both the FX4 and Platinum the suspension felt quite different - the FX4 felt like it handled the bumps better and the Platinum felt more like a smoother ride except when it came to bumps or uneven roadway. I liked the feel of the FX4 slightly better.
Is it possible to fit my Platinum with the same shocks/suspension setup as the FX4 or a better one?
If so, what should I get (brands and part models please)?
Should I lift the Platinum at the same time (other than looking cool, is there any other reason to lift the truck)?
How much should I budget for this? Of course I know I can spend any amount, but realistically, I'm not a 1%'er even though I splurged for the Platinum!
Thanks in advance!
When I test drove both the FX4 and Platinum the suspension felt quite different - the FX4 felt like it handled the bumps better and the Platinum felt more like a smoother ride except when it came to bumps or uneven roadway. I liked the feel of the FX4 slightly better.
Is it possible to fit my Platinum with the same shocks/suspension setup as the FX4 or a better one?
If so, what should I get (brands and part models please)?
Should I lift the Platinum at the same time (other than looking cool, is there any other reason to lift the truck)?
How much should I budget for this? Of course I know I can spend any amount, but realistically, I'm not a 1%'er even though I splurged for the Platinum!
Thanks in advance!
Lifting may come with its own little grab bag of "gotchas" so other than looks and a little more ground clearance, I'd say it serves no purpose if you're happy with the stance now and do not off road tons.
Just my .02
The following users liked this post:
nullname (05-06-2013)
05-06-2013, 06:17 PM
#3
Best investment for you to get that ride quality- swap the OEM shocks. Kings, rancho, bilsteins. Anything is better than the OEM. You'll notice a HUGE difference.
Lifting may come with its own little grab bag of "gotchas" so other than looks and a little more ground clearance, I'd say it serves no purpose if you're happy with the stance now and do not off road tons.
Just my .02
Lifting may come with its own little grab bag of "gotchas" so other than looks and a little more ground clearance, I'd say it serves no purpose if you're happy with the stance now and do not off road tons.
Just my .02
05-06-2013, 06:39 PM
#4
I saw bilstein 5100 shocks for 450 for the four corners, then you'd need to get a price quote on install. Haven't done it on my F150 yet, but thinking about it, raise the nose an inch or two to level it.
05-06-2013, 07:10 PM
#5
Thank you! I do slight off roading, and the current height looks good enough for me. How much roughly should it run me to swap out the OEM shocks for good brand/quality ($500, $1000, $1500?)? I don't want to get ripped off, obviously when I go to the shop they'll see I'm a newbie and recommend all sorts of crap.
Install of the bilsteins is likely more labour intensive since they are retaining the OEM coil. That's why I used the rancho. It replaced the coil.
05-08-2013, 09:51 AM
#6
So yesterday I went to see my mechanic, whom I used on my prior Jeeps and he's like, "we'll do whatever you want, just let us know and you got it!" He basically echoed what has been said above, Bilsteins 5100 with the adjustable height in the front -- and they asked what I wanted to do in the back, I said also Bilsteins?
They asked if I wanted to do a lift in the back -- so after some conversation and thought I said lets not lift the back at all, just install Bilsteins and in the front set the 5100s to factory height and later down the road we can do a lift.
I like the current height, perhaps I'd like an inch higher, but I don't want to add a block in the back to lift the rear (right now) (cost/budget reasons).
Does all this make sense? Or should I just do the 1" lift and add a block in the rear and get it done because it'll be more to do it later?
They asked if I wanted to do a lift in the back -- so after some conversation and thought I said lets not lift the back at all, just install Bilsteins and in the front set the 5100s to factory height and later down the road we can do a lift.
I like the current height, perhaps I'd like an inch higher, but I don't want to add a block in the back to lift the rear (right now) (cost/budget reasons).
Does all this make sense? Or should I just do the 1" lift and add a block in the rear and get it done because it'll be more to do it later?
05-08-2013, 09:55 AM
#7
So yesterday I went to see my mechanic, whom I used on my prior Jeeps and he's like, "we'll do whatever you want, just let us know and you got it!" He basically echoed what has been said above, Bilsteins 5100 with the adjustable height in the front -- and they asked what I wanted to do in the back, I said also Bilsteins?
They asked if I wanted to do a lift in the back -- so after some conversation and thought I said lets not lift the back at all, just install Bilsteins and in the front set the 5100s to factory height and later down the road we can do a lift.
I like the current height, perhaps I'd like an inch higher, but I don't want to add a block in the back to lift the rear (right now) (cost/budget reasons).
Does all this make sense? Or should I just do the 1" lift and add a block in the rear and get it done because it'll be more to do it later?
They asked if I wanted to do a lift in the back -- so after some conversation and thought I said lets not lift the back at all, just install Bilsteins and in the front set the 5100s to factory height and later down the road we can do a lift.
I like the current height, perhaps I'd like an inch higher, but I don't want to add a block in the back to lift the rear (right now) (cost/budget reasons).
Does all this make sense? Or should I just do the 1" lift and add a block in the rear and get it done because it'll be more to do it later?
The following users liked this post:
nullname (05-08-2013)
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05-08-2013, 11:20 AM
#8
I wouldn't waste my money on rear shocks in the rear as the OEM's are monotube design just like the bilsteins iirc. I would get the Bilsteins, run em at the 1.7-2.2" setting for a more leveled look.
A block and u-bolts are cheap ~$50 and a simple swap. Personally wouldn't add a taller block since rake looks like shiii.
A block and u-bolts are cheap ~$50 and a simple swap. Personally wouldn't add a taller block since rake looks like shiii.
