lowering 2001 4wd questions
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Joined: May 2019
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lowering 2001 4wd questions
I have a 2001 supercab 4wd, 5.4, lariat. I want to lower it but there are a few question I have before I do that. I cannot find answers after days of searching:
1. I understand that there are kits available that lower the front with custom keys for the torsion bars. Other than the obvious lower COG, does this effect handling at all? Do the torsion bars still move and react at the same rates, or does this change the characteristics?
2. Do i have to replace shocks? I would probably do it anyway, but how do you know what length to use? I know this may seem easy, but no-one seems to know the answer even at shops I call.
3. Does anyone have direct experience with what wheels & tires can be used when dropping the front 3 inches using the custom keys? I want to go with about 275/50/20 that do not extend past much where the stock tires do, if at all. So this would mean a bit more positive offset than stock. Anyone have actual experience with this? pictures? I have found 100s of pictures, but nothing that tells me exactly the 3" drop (4wd), the tire size, and the offset they have.
4. If I do a 3/2 drop, I figure I can still load the bed and not have the rear lower than the front when loaded. I will need to load it regularly with about 700/800 pounds in the bed. Anyone have pictures and/or experience loading a 3/2 drop on a 97-03 4wd super cab?
Thanks in advance
short rant: Please don't give me the standard "why would you want to do that?" Here are the answers to that question: I don't and will not use it for off road. I have 4wd for occasional snow and for slippery boat launches. I want to have better access to the bed, and like the idea of a lower COG. And its my truck, my money, and a free country. Park those comments, jack up your truck as much as you like, and lets move on.
1. I understand that there are kits available that lower the front with custom keys for the torsion bars. Other than the obvious lower COG, does this effect handling at all? Do the torsion bars still move and react at the same rates, or does this change the characteristics?
2. Do i have to replace shocks? I would probably do it anyway, but how do you know what length to use? I know this may seem easy, but no-one seems to know the answer even at shops I call.
3. Does anyone have direct experience with what wheels & tires can be used when dropping the front 3 inches using the custom keys? I want to go with about 275/50/20 that do not extend past much where the stock tires do, if at all. So this would mean a bit more positive offset than stock. Anyone have actual experience with this? pictures? I have found 100s of pictures, but nothing that tells me exactly the 3" drop (4wd), the tire size, and the offset they have.
4. If I do a 3/2 drop, I figure I can still load the bed and not have the rear lower than the front when loaded. I will need to load it regularly with about 700/800 pounds in the bed. Anyone have pictures and/or experience loading a 3/2 drop on a 97-03 4wd super cab?
Thanks in advance
short rant: Please don't give me the standard "why would you want to do that?" Here are the answers to that question: I don't and will not use it for off road. I have 4wd for occasional snow and for slippery boat launches. I want to have better access to the bed, and like the idea of a lower COG. And its my truck, my money, and a free country. Park those comments, jack up your truck as much as you like, and lets move on.
Last edited by Syngen Smythe; Mar 6, 2022 at 09:39 PM. Reason: incomplete
Bleeds blue
Joined: Nov 2012
Posts: 376
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From: North Carolina
A bit from another thread. I got a 2” drop on my ST but stopped at that. My thoughts were the same as yours, functionality, but I retained stock wheels.
https://www.f150forum.com/f6/lowerin...at-4x4-506630/
https://www.f150forum.com/f6/lowerin...at-4x4-506630/
Bleeds blue
Joined: Nov 2012
Posts: 376
Likes: 148
From: North Carolina
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Joined: May 2019
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[QUOTE=ncranchero;7156445]A bit from another thread. I got a 2” drop on my ST but stopped at that. My thoughts were the same as yours, functionality, but I retained stock wheels.
/QUOTE]
cool thanks for that- so did you just adjust the tbars down, without getting different keys? if so, how much were you able to lower the front with just adjusting?
I may stick with stock wheels, but i at least have to get some different "stock" ones. the wheels on it now are crazy ugly in my opinion. I don't think they are the lariat wheels that came with it.
/QUOTE]
cool thanks for that- so did you just adjust the tbars down, without getting different keys? if so, how much were you able to lower the front with just adjusting?
I may stick with stock wheels, but i at least have to get some different "stock" ones. the wheels on it now are crazy ugly in my opinion. I don't think they are the lariat wheels that came with it.
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Joined: Nov 2020
Posts: 93
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From: Melbourne, Australia
I have a 2001 supercab 4wd, 5.4, lariat. I want to lower it but there are a few question I have before I do that. I cannot find answers after days of searching:
1. I understand that there are kits available that lower the front with custom keys for the torsion bars. Other than the obvious lower COG, does this effect handling at all? Do the torsion bars still move and react at the same rates, or does this change the characteristics?
2. Do i have to replace shocks? I would probably do it anyway, but how do you know what length to use? I know this may seem easy, but no-one seems to know the answer even at shops I call.
3. Does anyone have direct experience with what wheels & tires can be used when dropping the front 3 inches using the custom keys? I want to go with about 275/50/20 that do not extend past much where the stock tires do, if at all. So this would mean a bit more positive offset than stock. Anyone have actual experience with this? pictures? I have found 100s of pictures, but nothing that tells me exactly the 3" drop (4wd), the tire size, and the offset they have.
4. If I do a 3/2 drop, I figure I can still load the bed and not have the rear lower than the front when loaded. I will need to load it regularly with about 700/800 pounds in the bed. Anyone have pictures and/or experience loading a 3/2 drop on a 97-03 4wd super cab?
Thanks in advance
short rant: Please don't give me the standard "why would you want to do that?" Here are the answers to that question: I don't and will not use it for off road. I have 4wd for occasional snow and for slippery boat launches. I want to have better access to the bed, and like the idea of a lower COG. And its my truck, my money, and a free country. Park those comments, jack up your truck as much as you like, and lets move on.
1. I understand that there are kits available that lower the front with custom keys for the torsion bars. Other than the obvious lower COG, does this effect handling at all? Do the torsion bars still move and react at the same rates, or does this change the characteristics?
2. Do i have to replace shocks? I would probably do it anyway, but how do you know what length to use? I know this may seem easy, but no-one seems to know the answer even at shops I call.
3. Does anyone have direct experience with what wheels & tires can be used when dropping the front 3 inches using the custom keys? I want to go with about 275/50/20 that do not extend past much where the stock tires do, if at all. So this would mean a bit more positive offset than stock. Anyone have actual experience with this? pictures? I have found 100s of pictures, but nothing that tells me exactly the 3" drop (4wd), the tire size, and the offset they have.
4. If I do a 3/2 drop, I figure I can still load the bed and not have the rear lower than the front when loaded. I will need to load it regularly with about 700/800 pounds in the bed. Anyone have pictures and/or experience loading a 3/2 drop on a 97-03 4wd super cab?
Thanks in advance
short rant: Please don't give me the standard "why would you want to do that?" Here are the answers to that question: I don't and will not use it for off road. I have 4wd for occasional snow and for slippery boat launches. I want to have better access to the bed, and like the idea of a lower COG. And its my truck, my money, and a free country. Park those comments, jack up your truck as much as you like, and lets move on.
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Last edited by Azzzzza; Mar 8, 2022 at 02:51 AM.
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Hey mate, I've got a 2000 XLT Supercab 4x4 with 305/45 R22's all round. They scrub a little at full lock so I think I am going to try 285/55 R20 on Lightning rims. I bought it as is so can't tell you how far it has been dropped but it measures about 450mm from wheel centre to top of wheel arch. If you can measure from the wheel centre to the top of the wheel arch on yours you will know how far mine is dropped and can do the sums
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Say, do you know what your current wheel offset is? I imagine all lightning rims have the same offset, but wondering what you have that is rubbing.
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From: Melbourne, Australia