I just bought a 2004 F150 XLT 4.6 super cab, 6.5' bed(I think?). I've been looking at different drop options, I'm not interested in going crazy low and I'm definitely staying with a static drop. I'm after handling over looks. I know it might sound silly trying to make a full size truck handle, but that's what I'm after. I was actually looking at mini trucks when I found this thing and as you can guess, I ended up really liking it and I bought it.

I would assume drop spindles would be the best start on the front end if one is after handling, but it looks like 20"+ rims are required to clear the spindles. I don't really want to go with big heavy 20s, and I quite like the look of the stock chrome 18s. I was planning on running performance tires in the 28"-29" OD range on 18" wheels. Do drop springs or control arms mess with the front suspension geometry too much? Any other suggestions besides adding more rubber to the ground?

 

I have the exact same truck and I installed DJM control arms which lower up to 3" with the only suspension geometry being affected is camber. You can enlarge to Lower control arm mounting holes to correct the camber to factory settings, but I found that leaving mounting holes as is results in a very mild 1 degree negative camber which *should* improve handling. The downside to the control arms is that the ARB links are at an extreme angle which may or may not affect ARB effectiveness and will most likely result in reduce drop link longevity. Drop links are really cheap though so replacing them every year (if needed) is a non issue for me. There also seems to be a decrease in turning radius, but I can't say for sure how much if any at all. A coil over kit for the front would probably give the best handling, but those are expensive and you may still have to deal with the ARB and camber issue depending on how much you lowered it.

 

Awesome thank you, that is the kind of info I'm looking for! I may just end up going with DJM control arms for my front drop then. I was wondering about the front sway bar, just laying under the truck looking at it, it looks like its going to be tricky once lowered. I'll have to look at the end links a little harder and see if I can come up with some sort of band aid for the extreme angle.

Any recommendation for the rear flip kit? I think I read a thread about the Belltech kit being weak and bending. Is there a general consensus here about any specific kit being better than others?

 

The end links still work, they are just bent at a crazy angle which leads me to think that they won't last as long. They are only $20 for the pair so I don't really care if I only get 10-12 months out of them.


The control arms won't really change the handling beyond lowering center of gravity which helps with body roll in corners. You will still have the stock spring/strut as a weak point unless you upgrade those too at which point you might be better off pricing up coil-overs. I wasn't looking for improved handling, so I didn't go that route. I put on new Monroe quick struts which were an improvement on the stock 15 year old/191K struts, but I wouldn't call them an "upgrade".

For the rear I went with the DJM flip kit mainly because you can adjust the angle of the rear pinion without needing to add shims, you may still need to relocate the carrier bearing to eliminate drivetrain vibration, but mine isn't bad enough to need that. Put it this way, there is much less vibration with the DJM flip than I had with the 3" lowering shackles, simply because I was able to adjust the rear pinion with the DJM flip. I don't know that it is any stronger than any other kit out there. I have seen the pics of the bent Belltech U bolts and I definitely don't have that issue.

 

I'm using a DJM 3/5, stock front sway bar, with Energy Suspension 1-5/8" straight end links. Looks like the 1" end links maybe better. The end link tab on the control arms could stand to be cut, repositioned, then rewelded for a better angle.

I also have a Hellwig rear sway bar with the end links modified for a lowered truck. And air lift slam air bags.

It handles great, but could probably benefit from better shocks.

 

Thanks for the info guys!

Thats a great looking truck, Screwed. Are those the OEM 22s? Maybe I do need to go up to 20s afterall

 

Yeah OEM 22s. If you're going 2/4 or 3/5 I'd do a 22". Going lower like 5/7 I'd do a 20" to keep some side wall. JMO.