iamsuperbleeder

I'll let you guys decide

compare the part numbers of item #7 in the first pic (2wd) to item #6 in the second pic (4wd)

Paxford

This is a big step in the right direction ... but it cut off the end of the 4wd schematic in your post , presumably because the webpage didn't have room. Everything looks good thus far though, all the parts tie out. Brakes are probably fine but I can't say for sure, perhaps my reply will open up the hidden info. in the schematic. I looked under the truck yesterday at my knuckle and was thinking the speed sensor cable mounting point might not be the same, which would mean the cable could be too short and would need to be swapped out to a 4wd one, but looking at the schematic the mounting points look to be the same, or within an acceptable range. So that just leaves the compatibility of the hub. If I had a schematic of the hub applied to the knuckle 2wd vs. 4wd I could say with more certainty. Your schematic is a big improvement over what I have been viewing at the ford parts website, is this schematic available to the general public, or did you get it through your relationship with LKQ?

Paxford

Darnit, it didn't work, the parts listing on the 4wd schematic is still cut off ...

Paxford

Is this where you got the diagram?

http://www.motorcraftservice.com/vdi...ageid=cat_main

If so, its definitely worth the $20 for a months worth of membership to get me through this little project.

iamsuperbleeder

Nope, got it from right here

https://www.f150forum.com/f38/2009-2...x4/#post893836

Paxford

KICK***** !!!!! Love it, thanks for pointing this out. I'll dig in to the diagrams and see if clarity can be found. In the meantime .... BUMP ... anyone tried fitting the larger 4wd steering knuckle on to a 2wd truck 2009+ year?

Paxford

Ok, lets start over. I reviewed the service manual and looks like everything is the same except the integrated wheel ends which tie the 4wd axle to the knuckle (which should be of no consequence since there is no 4wd axle in a 2wd). Can't say for sure if the hubs are dimensionally the same between 2wd (Part #2B663) and 4wd (Part #1104) but they sure look like they are. And I am pretty sure they are because ... the knuckles are the same! They are part #'s 3K186 LH/3K185 RH for both 2wd and 4wd.

So if this is correct, and the knuckles are the same, and the coilover assemblies are the same (which I also verified, the 4wd service manual actually refers back to the 2wd service manual for the coilover assembly), then the difference in height between 2wd and 4wd must be coming from the UCA and LCA connection points ... 4wd must have a lower drop bracket. So now I just have to check out a 4wd to confirm this. I can't believe the knuckles are the same, they differed in the 04-08 models.

Paxford

I'll answer my own question ... that doesn't make sense either, the UCA LCA mounting points should be the same on 4wd and 2wd - if the coilover assembly and the knuckle are the same. Ford wouldn't (would they?) engineer the parts the same for a specific suspension geometry and ease of manufacture, then put everything out of wack by stuffing a larger knuckle in on a 4wd. So perhaps the spring perch on the 4wd strut is higher, I can't think of how else the 4wd is 2 inches taller stock compared to the 2wd. Time to check out some Monroe shock absorbers to confirm ...

I'll also take a look at the uca angle on a stock 4wd compared to 2wd, it will solves some questions I have I hope. If it is the spring perch is lifting the vehicle, then the 2wd uca will be closer to level, compared to the 4wd uca.

GATORB8

At least in the 04-08, 4wd coilovers are 2" longer than the 2wd (One of the two wheel drive guys used them in leui of a leveling kit). So it would make sense that the UCA, LCA and knuckle are the same, and the UCA and LCA mounting points are each 2" lower and the coilover or a spacer (if they're the same in the 09) making up for the difference at the spring perch.

This would make for the same geometry in both models.

Paxford

You nailed it from the get go Gator. I just measured up a 2011 4wd on the dealer lot compared to my 2wd. The knuckles are the same, the coilovers are the same, the UCA and LCA are the same. The difference in height is due to two things-


1. Mounting points for the lower control arm on the crossmember brackets-

4wd 5.5 inches from bottom of frame
2wd 4 inches from the bottom of the frame

4wd 4 inches from top of frame
2wd 5.5 inches from top of frame

There's 1.5 inches in height difference there and ...

2. Bigger stock tires-

275/65/18 (about a 32") on 4wd
235/75/17 (about a 31") on a 2wd

1 inch difference in tire size ends up being 1/2 inch ride height increase + 1.5 inch crossmember lift for a total of 2 inch ride height difference ~ works out. Too bad my little plan isn't going to work, but I learned something. I wonder if an 04-08 4wd knuckle would fit on an 09+ ...

Still looking for options other than a full blown 6 inch lift. I would go this route but I don't want to replace my 17's and everything I find on the market requires 18's. New thread time. Thanks guys.