Hey all. I have a 2017 Lariat 4WD with the FX4 package. I had a shop install the 2/4 lowering spindle kit from Maxtrac as well as change out the front shocks with bilstein 4600 oem replacement shocks. When I went to pick up the truck, they had it parked in a spot that wasn't level. I noticed the front of the truck was sitting higher than the rear. I mentioned it to them and they said it looked that way because of the spot it was parked in and that if it was a little higher, it would drop a little lower, maybe another 1/4", after driving it for a little bit. I took it and drove to work where the lot is a little more level to get a better look at it, and sure enough, the front is about an inch higher. I didn't get measurement before but when I measured the height at the wheel wells now, the front is at 35-3/4" and the rear is at 34-7/8". The shop did tell me to bring it back if it still wasn't leveled after a few miles so I'm not worried about them not fixing it, but I would like to know if anyone might have any ideas about what the issue might be. The bilstein shocks I bought are not adjustable so it can't be that. When I spoke to bilstein, they said maybe they installed the spring perch upside down but looking at it, it seems to be installed correctly.
Im pretty sure its an installation issue and not a product issue as there are a few people who installed the same kit with no issues.
After driving for a little bit, I also notice the ride is a lot worse than it was before the installation. I did change my wheel from the stock 20” with 275/55 to 22” wheels with nitro 305/45 tires so that may explain part of the rough ride but it has to be more than just that. On the same roads I’ve been driving from work to home, where I hardly felt any bumps, I felt every single bump in the road.
Thanks for any advice you may have.

 

First off, nice looking truck. I have the same Maxtrac on mine and I am also front high. Comparing your ride height numbers to mine, I honestly don't think there is any issue with your install or components. I think it is just how the kits are. I literally just posted an update to my thread on this kit, feel free to look it over and ask any questions.

https://www.f150forum.com/f66/maxtra...19-4wd-477019/

My ground to fender measurements after the drop:

Driver Front- 35 9/16"
Pass. front - 35 1/2"
Driver rear - 35"
Pass rear - 35 1/2"

I already had my rear blocks removed before I did the drop and after install, I got exactly 4" of drop in the back. Up front, I got a little over 2" of drop on the driver's side and just under 2" on the passenger side. I run 305/45/22's, so my #'s will be a little different than yours. I jacked up the back of my truck a little and liked the way it looked at 36". I don't really want to lower the front down any further, but might do about 3/4" and lift the back a smidge with the help of IHC helper bags.

I think our fronts look very similar, only difference being mine has a 45 series tire so it sucks up some of that wheel well gap.

 

I would just run some 2wd struts on the front to get the extra 1" or so drop. The rough ride is coming from the rear are using maxtrax shocks?


I just measured mine with a 32.4" tire 305/35/24 front is 33" and rear is 33 3/4. I have belltech double adjustable coilovers on the front also and I remove the front hanger on the rear and added 1" lift shackle with belltech double adjustable rear shocks. Rides amazing

 

Great looking truck!
I’ve been looking at pictures and I think you may be right. Now I just need to decide if I should lower the front or raise the rear.
how is the ride on yours? I could feel every single little bump on the road I take home. When I had the stock suspension, I didn’t even realize the road was bumpy.

 

i did use the stock Maxtrac shock. So you think the rear shock is the reason for the rough ride?

 

Also make sure they changed the bump stops out. I honestly don't know anything about the maxtrac rear shocks.

 

Well just took a little road trip. 120 miles each way. I'm convinced something is not installed correctly. A 30 year old cargo van would have had a smoother ride then what I got in my truck now. If the roads are perfectly flat, it rides just like stock. If it has even the slightest bump, the whole truck shakes and rattles.
I will say that I don't know anything about truck suspensions, so thank you guys for giving me some insight. Trying to read up on everything and understand how it all works.

 

definitely raise the rear. I'll go measure my relative fender height so you can compare. My guess is you have next to no suspension travel left. Look underneath for the big bump stops and how much space you have showing.

 

[QUOTE=tokunaga;6681363]definitely raise the rear. I'll go measure my relative fender height so you can compare. My guess is you have next to no suspension travel left. Look underneath for the big bump stops and how much space you have showing.[/QUOTE
I looked underneath and it looks like I have plenty of room. It definitely doesn’t feel like I’m bottoming out.

 

i believe I mistyped my tire size in my original post. I have the same size tires as you. I bought beltech 16001 coilovers for the front and helper bags for the rear and I figured between all that I can lower the front a little and raise the rear to get or sitting exactly how I want it. Figure when I bring it to the shop, they can double check everything and see if maybe something isn’t tightened down correctly.