I'm considering adding a level kit to my 2019 4x4. Just one of the simple 2" spacer kits for now. I have watched numerous videos and installation tutorials, and it seems like a lot more work than it should be. Removing the axel and the potential IWE problems that I've read about make it seem a little more than a basic DIY project. UNTIL if found this video.


It really seems that dropping the lower control arms completely and removing the strut that way would be much easier than every other video I've seen where people have to use pry bars to get the strut out, and have even more trouble getting it back in once the spacer is installed. This guy doesn't even bother touching the upper control arm or axel. Looks like 8 bolts total and it's out. Is there any reason that I should NOT use this method? I understand that the lower control arm is how the alignment is set, but I would plan on getting an alignment right away anyways. What am I missing here? This method seems like it should be way more common. Thanks for the help!

 

Thats how I did it. I just marked the lca bolts to the frame. Got an alignment right after. Perfect.

 

Thanks for the reply. I'm glad that it worked for you. I still don't get why every other install method seems so much more complicated. I reached out to Rough Country, whom I bought the spacer kit from, to ask them about dropping the lower control arm, but did not get a response. So much for customer service...

 

No idea. It’s just stupid. All that extra work for nothing.

 

Dumb question, what is meant by “marking the bolts”? Are there different positions it can be re- bolted? I have done one of these before, but it was like 10 years ago, on a 2005. I am getting ready to put one in again but I am also concerned ( maybe unnecessarily) about the IWE...
thanks

 

He marked the bolt and nut because the hole is more of an oval then a circle . that is so they can get the alignment correct not sure if its for caster camber but i think it is .When i did mine i wish i would have done it that way.the IWE is no big deal just make sure the splines are meshed up before you tighten the axle nut. there is a good video on youtube of a ford tech showing how to do it .Anyway i took the axle out and had to loosen dang near everything the way he did it in the video above looks way easier and you will need an alignment when you r done for sure.

 

AH....Makes Sense, Thanks Madmat.
TJ

 

I'm getting ready to put a 2" leveling kit on mine and I think I'm going to do it this way. Did you do yours this way?

 

Stage 3 just posted this method as well.

https://www.f150forum.com/f7/2021-20...-video-521208/

 

I didnt watch the video, ive had 4 13th gens, replaced the OEM shocks with Fox and back on 3 of them, replaced OEM with Bilsteins on one of them, installed fox on my current, and so forth...so ive done this at least 10 times, ALL without issue. So heres my opinion on your question:

-I dont see any harm in loosening the LCA other then its a beast and most shop will/might charge you extra, ive never had to do it.
-there isnt any "potential IWE" issues, its splined, if you dont put it back on right and smoke the axle nut on there will be issues but not installing something correctly can be applied to any of the bolts and components you remove.
-Ford Performance has the best install guide ive seen, it has you loosen the axle nut to get a little more clearance and it gives you the measurement of how much thread should be there to ensure you engaged everything properly.

In summary, the instructions for the Ford Performance Fox 2.0 shocks (instructions can be found on Ford Perf website) is all you need and bonus, it gives you torque values.