Boss 6.2L Dirt Diggler!
09-09-2020, 03:27 PM
#31
Senior Member
Honestly, if you already like the ride on your Pro Comps, I wouldn't upgrade as the difference for your driving styling may not be significant enough for the cost of entry. In addition, you would need to get custom-built King Shocks for your 8" lift, adding to the cost. So unless you haul *fast offroad, I just don't see any benefit upgrading over your professed "pretty good" Pro Comps. Now, if you were starting from scratch OEM setup, like I did, I would seriously contemplate the Kings immediately, or if you've got wads of cash burning a hole in your pocket to be spent...
09-09-2020, 09:51 PM
#32
Master Gunner
Thread Starter
With just the 2-1/4 inch "leveling" adjustment, you can't even see the front Kings on my truck, and just barely the billet aluminum Icon UCA's and the rear piggy-backs, but only if you look closely:
The above is when I had my 32" Terra Grappler G2's on my newly installed front suspension. With the 35's, they are very well hidden from view...
Last edited by Augster; 09-09-2020 at 09:58 PM.
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redraiderford (09-10-2020)
09-10-2020, 11:15 AM
#33
Master Gunner
Thread Starter
The GX460's
Cool build. I actually just bought a Lexus GX460 about 6 months ago with the intent to build it up into an offroad rig(not necessarily overland). But once I got it, I couldn't bring myself to start hacking it up. So instead I went out and bought a 1995 4Runner that was solid axle swapped with 5.29 gears, ARB locker and some other goodies for less than some skids, sliders and lift would have been for the GX 
Anyways, my F150 is also a Screw with a 6.5' bed and I know your pain. I've dropped my running boards on a lot of rocks and stumps so they are pretty bent and mangled at this point. That is really why I haven't thrown more than some A/T tires and a set of Bilstein 5100's at it, because it's just a big truck with a big wheelbase.
Anyways, my F150 is also a Screw with a 6.5' bed and I know your pain. I've dropped my running boards on a lot of rocks and stumps so they are pretty bent and mangled at this point. That is really why I haven't thrown more than some A/T tires and a set of Bilstein 5100's at it, because it's just a big truck with a big wheelbase.
We did Berdoo Canyon over Labor Day and there were some very tight spots that I just couldn't fit my fat body Ford and had to go around that the Yot's/Lex's could squeeze through. On other trails, the angle of approach/departure was just too steep for my long bed and had to sit out the offshoot, or it was a massive rock garden and we'd all turn around since there was no way I could make it.
Both newer 460's now have CBI front bumpers with integrated winch mount, rock sliders, and skid plates:
The 460's can certainly flex, even with 4-wheel independent suspension:
But for all their popularity, they lack severely in cargo capacity. Hence, I end up being the mule of the group, as the full-size ice chest hauler, recovery gear and jack man; and I can pack big, comfy camping chairs whereas the SUV's can only pack these tiny, uncomfortable tripod stools.
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redraiderford (09-11-2020)
09-10-2020, 02:29 PM
#34
Yea, I'm the only Ford guy in our small group, which is mostly some flavor of Yota/Lex, with an occassional Jeeper now and then:
We did Berdoo Canyon over Labor Day and there were some very tight spots that I just couldn't fit my fat body Ford and had to go around that the Yot's/Lex's could squeeze through. On other trails, the angle of approach/departure was just too steep for my long bed and had to sit out the offshoot, or it was a massive rock garden and we'd all turn around since there was no way I could make it.
Both newer 460's now have CBI front bumpers with integrated winch mount, rock sliders, and skid plates:
The 460's can certainly flex, even with 4-wheel independent suspension:
But for all their popularity, they lack severely in cargo capacity. Hence, I end up being the mule of the group, as the full-size ice chest hauler, recovery gear and jack man; and I can pack big, comfy camping chairs whereas the SUV's can only pack these tiny, uncomfortable tripod stools.
We did Berdoo Canyon over Labor Day and there were some very tight spots that I just couldn't fit my fat body Ford and had to go around that the Yot's/Lex's could squeeze through. On other trails, the angle of approach/departure was just too steep for my long bed and had to sit out the offshoot, or it was a massive rock garden and we'd all turn around since there was no way I could make it.
Both newer 460's now have CBI front bumpers with integrated winch mount, rock sliders, and skid plates:
The 460's can certainly flex, even with 4-wheel independent suspension:
But for all their popularity, they lack severely in cargo capacity. Hence, I end up being the mule of the group, as the full-size ice chest hauler, recovery gear and jack man; and I can pack big, comfy camping chairs whereas the SUV's can only pack these tiny, uncomfortable tripod stools.
The flex comes in because they come with a factory sway bar disconnect system front and rear. So when the system detects the suspension trying to articulate, it will release the bars and let the suspension move freely. It's an awesome system because the thing handles really well on the road with the sway bars engaged, but then, as you mention, the flex really well off road. Even stock.
Thats actually one mod I really wanna do on my truck, sway bar quick disconnects. When I have had my truck out on really rocky trails, the thing gets tossed around really bad because that front sway bar is so tight. I had quick-discos on my former Jeep Liberty, and the ride offroad was night and day better:
Agree on the cargo space though. My wife and I really wanted a 1st Gen Sequoia, but fitting it in the garage would have been painful and I already have the F150.
Last edited by mass-hole; 09-10-2020 at 02:32 PM.
09-10-2020, 05:19 PM
#36
Master Gunner
Thread Starter
I don't think Ford adequately explained why they dropped the 6.2L from the F150's, but I assume it had something to do with tightening C.A.F.E. standards. Since the F-series accounts for roughly a third of Ford's total sales volume, reducing the average fuel economy on the best selling F150 line would more easily get Ford to meet the ever-increasingly stringent C.A.F.E.
That's my take anyways.
But without the 6.2L, I could not entertain purchasing any of the current 13th Gen F150's models. I personally don't think the high-flying Coyote 5.0L is a good fit for a low-end grunt truck application, and although I love twin turbos and that big boost in the pants when it kicks in on my street cars, I just don't want a V6 in my full-size trucks. Hence, I opted for yet another 12th Gen last year, which I will keep until Ford reintroduces the 6.2L in an F150, provides a boosted 5.0L option, or I go with a N.A. 5.0 and supercharge it myself, so long as there is a C.A.R.B.-approved kit out when I'm again on the hunt for a new truck.
It just rankles me, though, that Dodge is about to introduce their 6.2L TRX and Jeep their 6.4L SRT, with nothing publicly released by Ford to indicate they will follow suit with a high-power V8 offering to counter them.
That's my take anyways.
But without the 6.2L, I could not entertain purchasing any of the current 13th Gen F150's models. I personally don't think the high-flying Coyote 5.0L is a good fit for a low-end grunt truck application, and although I love twin turbos and that big boost in the pants when it kicks in on my street cars, I just don't want a V6 in my full-size trucks. Hence, I opted for yet another 12th Gen last year, which I will keep until Ford reintroduces the 6.2L in an F150, provides a boosted 5.0L option, or I go with a N.A. 5.0 and supercharge it myself, so long as there is a C.A.R.B.-approved kit out when I'm again on the hunt for a new truck.
It just rankles me, though, that Dodge is about to introduce their 6.2L TRX and Jeep their 6.4L SRT, with nothing publicly released by Ford to indicate they will follow suit with a high-power V8 offering to counter them.
Last edited by Augster; 09-10-2020 at 05:23 PM. Reason: Demise of the F-150 6.2L
09-11-2020, 11:28 AM
#38
Master Gunner
Thread Starter
I wish I could add more lift and go 37's to handle some of the mean rock gardens I've avoided... but my decision to keep the trucks' height accessible to residential garages (even though I park it in the driveway presently) as well as commercial parking garages finally payed off over the labor day weekend where we hit several trails in the Palms Springs/29 Palms area which experienced record-shattering temps in the 120's:
Just parking in the sun for a half hour turned the interior into a face-melting oven with everything too hot to touch. Luckily, I was able to fit the truck in the tight 7-foot clearance hotel parking garage at the end of the day, with the radio antenna scraping the beams and pipes but with a couple inches to spare for the roof itself (I kept the moonroof open so I could see and listen for any potential impacts to the roof).
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redraiderford (09-11-2020)
09-11-2020, 11:46 AM
#39
Master Gunner
Thread Starter
The 460 is solid axle in the rear. They are based on the same chassis as the 5th Gen 4Runner and FJ Cruiser. All the parts are interchangeable for the most part. So basically the GX is a 4Runner with a V8 and plush interior for less money used.
The flex comes in because they come with a factory sway bar disconnect system front and rear. So when the system detects the suspension trying to articulate, it will release the bars and let the suspension move freely. It's an awesome system because the thing handles really well on the road with the sway bars engaged, but then, as you mention, the flex really well off road. Even stock.
The flex comes in because they come with a factory sway bar disconnect system front and rear. So when the system detects the suspension trying to articulate, it will release the bars and let the suspension move freely. It's an awesome system because the thing handles really well on the road with the sway bars engaged, but then, as you mention, the flex really well off road. Even stock.
Thats actually one mod I really wanna do on my truck, sway bar quick disconnects. When I have had my truck out on really rocky trails, the thing gets tossed around really bad because that front sway bar is so tight. I had quick-discos on my former Jeep Liberty, and the ride offroad was night and day better
I've driven a mid-travel Titan with Kings and I'm always impressed with how well it glides over big bumps and drops and attributed it to the mid-travel kit, however, it also doesn't have any sway bars, so I'm intrigued with the idea of disconnecting mine next time out.
There was a shop that made Gen 1 Raptor sway bar disconnects, but they've since discontinued them. I'll first simply unbolt and strap them out of the way, but if this turns out making the trails even smoother and I can adapt to its unique handling characteristics, I'll look to get some custom made if I can't adapt existing ones out on the market.