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Looks great! I have a 2015 Magnetic 2.7 SuperCrew 2WD and am planning to install a leveling kit and new tires soon.
How does my 2WD stock suspension compare to your 4x4 suspension? Will I get the same result with the Icon stage 1 system as you did on your project truck or would I need rear blocks for the same look?
4wd sit about 1" or so higher than 2wd, the strut assembly is taller in the front and the rear has 1-1.25" blocks. If you did a 2-2.5" front spacer (my 2.5" spacer gave me <2"), your front still wouldn't be as high as that and then if you added a 1" block in the rear, it would be close to that but then you'll add rake back in. Some like it leveled, YMMV.
4wd sit about 1" or so higher than 2wd, the strut assembly is taller in the front and the rear has 1-1.25" blocks. If you did a 2-2.5" front spacer (my 2.5" spacer gave me <2"), your front still wouldn't be as high as that and then if you added a 1" block in the rear, it would be close to that but then you'll add rake back in. Some like it leveled, YMMV.
[QUOTE=tomjv;5393967]This will be un unpopular answer but; LEAVE IT ALONE.
1. "upgrade" - to me, an upgrade is replacing OEM with better parts. Certainly installing a set of Bilsteins, Fox or ICONs would be an upgrade. The stock stuff just sucks. I did ICON 2.5" shocks all around and couldn't be happier. The Helwig rear sway bar is generally considered an "upgrade". I have one and like it.
Does the truck handle better? I am thinking of taking this route, Does this raise the truck profile at all?
Sig lists all specifics, dealer installed the level, wheels and tires before I purchased....daily driver, has almost 9k miles on it...city, county, rural and 4 wheeling.....
Sig lists all specifics, dealer installed the level, wheels and tires before I purchased....daily driver, has almost 9k miles on it...city, county, rural and 4 wheeling.....
Since dealer installed they can't say anything
Unfortunately that is not always the case. The dealer doesn't actually pay for the warranty repair, Ford does. They are the ones that can deny claims. Now the likelihood of that being the case is probably low, but the risk is still there. Just something to keep in mind.
This will be un unpopular answer but; LEAVE IT ALONE.
1. "upgrade" - to me, an upgrade is replacing OEM with better parts. Certainly installing a set of Bilsteins, Fox or ICONs would be an upgrade. The stock stuff just sucks. I did ICON 2.5" shocks all around and couldn't be happier. The Helwig rear sway bar is generally considered an "upgrade". I have one and like it.
Does the truck handle better? I am thinking of taking this route, Does this raise the truck profile at all?
I've written this up in a "ICON" thread but, in a word YES.
Ride height - I never did actual measurements, but when I took my rig home, it cleared my garage door (height wise) by 3/4". After one year and 12K mi, it cleared the door by 2.5". After installing the ICON 2.5s all around, it's back to 3/4". So I recon I'm still stock. I'll say the front looks like it has half the rake as new, but there's still rake. Another F150 guy met me at Home Depot parking lot and asked how I reduced the rake, so to him it was obvious.
Handling is HUGELY improved. Assuming you agree with me and think the stock F150 rear end bounces all over the road and the front end understeers too much, I think you'll love the handling with the upgrades. First do the shocks and then do the bar. The shocks will eliminate the bounce and understeer. The bar reduces body roll.
Where I live we have these parkways built in the 1940s which were designed as touring roads. Today, they're used for daily commuting. They are narrow and winding with very little or no shoulder. You can literally be driving inches away from the next car on one side, and a Jersey barrier on the other. The stock F150 was a white knuckle ride in these conditions. With the upgraded equipment, it's NIGHT AND DAY. The truck holds a clean line thru turns at speed. Braking is controlled and smooth.
The ride, I always describe as "...more like a German sport sedan than a cushy Caddy". The ride is definitely FIRM but not punishing. There are no errant rattles, creeks or vibrations. Strangely, you'll feel more of the little stuff but less of the big stuff. You will glide over NYC cobblestones and hop over RR tracks and speed bumps barely slowing down. Of course they excel on gravel/dirt roads. The faster you go, the smoother they feel. Amazing.
I started with a set of Fox 2.0s in the rear. They worked fine and were a huge improvement over stock. After a few miles, I became fixated on the front units and gross understeer. I couldn't bring myself to go for the 2.0 fronts. They're just not "right" in many ways. So I did the basic ICON 2.5 unit, which was WAY less than the external gas packs or ditto + CDCV. Afterwards, I liked them so much, I pulled the Fox 2.0s and went for the rears with CDCV (only $300 more so why not?). My only regret is not getting the CDCVs up front as well.
So, there's nothing wrong with the Foxes, the 2.5s are just better IMHO.
You can search here-in, many guys have done Bilstein 2.0 units for a fraction of the cost and ALL report excellent results. I'm sure they're not as firm as the 2.5s and probably can't keep up on dirt and gravel, but they solve known issues on a budget.
07-17-2017, 08:47 PM
