F150 suspension mods, Help needed

[motrhed]

I have a 2012 F150 Ecoboost FX4 extended cab short box 4x4 that I use for work in the Alberta oilfield. I am taking over a new field that has less than perfect gravel road conditions. Some sections have more clay than gravel, others are just potholes, wash board, or no gravel... just exposed boulders like a rough cobblestone road. I have been looking into a better suspension system that will smooth out the ride and prolong the life of the truck.
I have owned many lifted 4x4's and was originally looking at a 4" Rancho with 35" tires. However, I am concerned about the Ecoboost V6 and the effects that this combination would have it's power curve and economy (the truck has 3:73 gearing). There are programmers that can boost power/economy/recalibrate tire size but I don't want to create a money pit by having to re-gear if that doesn't have the proper effect. It has also been brought to my attention that the electric power steering racks on these late model F150's is a weak link when larger tires (33", 35") are mounted. Apparently the Raptor uses a more proven hydraulic power steering set-up. I am also considering a 2" lift/shock package with 33's but there are so many differing opinions on what works and what doesn't. A nice straightforward 2" strut/shock package by King or Fox looks impressive but I am concerned with accelerated upper ball joint and CV joint wear due to the increased suspension angles. Other kits such as the Camburg or Icon upper a-arms with uni-ball joints apparently cure the ball joint issue but in my experience the hiem joints are noisy and wear prematurely in wet/muddy climates. I have looked at different combinations to smooth out the ride (Raptor'ish without paying 60 grand CDN) and I am getting frustrated by the lack of a system that is proven to work effectively. Another consideration is our climate, it is normal to have summer temperatures around 30C (high 80's F) but in the winter it can get down to minus 40C/F. For a large portion of the year excessive heat build-up in a shock is not an issue, in fact trying to retain heat in the shock fluid becomes a problem in the winter... particularly with a remote reservoir unit.
I am looking for some guidance and recommendations by those that have run modified suspensions on late model F150's. Hopefully someone will step up with the knowledge to cure my dilemma.

 

[911regular]

check out the buid by 4wheel and off road, f-150 ecoboost ultimate adventure and I believe one of the off road mags/shows did a build up of a stock f-150 to mimic the Raptor.

 

[SightPicture]

With a 2"-2.5" level and 33"s you should be just fine. Check out f150online, there's lots of info over there re: leveling kits. Mine is an '09 5.4 FX4 so I don't know jack about the ecoboost however I doubt 33"s would zap it's power. The after market for our trucks isn't as big as some others but there's stuff out there. The name I see thrown around the most for leveling kits for our trucks is the AutoSpring found on eBay (yea I know). Also I believe bilstien 5100's (?) are 2" lift as well but it's been a while since I looked. Good luck and keep us updated.

 

[Buliwyf]

I'd look towards 285/75 r17 sized tires. Not sure what wheels you have.
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2" leveling kit and highend bypass Bilstein shocks. Fox air bumps. Airlift air bags in the rear and the bags that go in the coils up front are handy tools to have if you're loaded down. 4.30 regear is likely needed. Lugging a turbo V6 at low RPM is a bad idea. Minus well install a ARB or Detroit locker while you rear gear the rear.
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Sorry, but you have to go a little stiffer to really make a improvement in gravel road /desert travel. It may feel softer overall though. You're stuck with ball joint wear. Nature of IFS half ton trucks. Heim joints are not streetable unless you'd like to replace them every month.

 

[Kaisen]

Lugging a turbo V6 at low RPM is a bad idea.

Whaaaa? The EcoBoost makes 375 lb-ft at 1,700 rpm (and 420 lb-ft at 2,500 rpm)-- much more than a 5.0L V8 does at the same rpm. You're utilizing the low-end torque curve and keeping the turbos on boost with lower gearing, or effective gearing with a larger tire.

 

[Rovertrader]

Ive got a '13, but went with the 5.0. Cured the locker issue with the factory rear.
I did the 2" leveling spacer in front which will not provide the help you seek, as it retains the stock strut. However, I did grab some early Raptor wheels, and did the Toyo A/T IIs in 285/75-17 (34") and love them (second truck using them on), and I added the helper air bags to the rear for towing and heavy loads. A very mild build, but a huge improvement- I actually think mostly due to the tires as they are now E rated vs the P rated factory ones. This will likely help you as well.
There are several options for the front from the Kings as you mention to new upper A arms, etc. I would seriously try the above as the spacer is only $100, and see if the tire change helps enough. If not, sell the spacers, and you are no worse off. I have been doing this mess for 40+ years and was determined to keep it simple this time, and have been very well pleased- and not affected warranty at all- nor altered factory ride except to firm it up considerably.

 

[motrhed]

Thanks for the info guys, your comments are appreciated. I read the 4Wheel and Off-Road articles and while that rig has some cool "think outside the box" mods, it is a bit beyond what I am trying to do. I am still searching for the F150 that was built to imitate a Raptor.
I am looking to get a less jarring, more supple ride by replacing the shocks/struts plus modifying the suspension to allow a larger tire and prevent premature component wear.
My truck currently rides on 10ply (E) 285/65R18 BFG All Terrain T/A's and has the factory electronic locking rear diff. I constantly carry approximately 600 - 700lbs of tools and supplies in an aluminum bed box plus a custom bed drawer; the stock rear suspension is not being stressed so air bags or extra leafs are not required.
As mentioned, the torque currently comes on strong between 1500 and 2000 RPM so I tend to agree that 33's should not tax the power/economy too much. But it would be nice to hear from someone that actually runs this size of tire on the Ecoboosted F150.

 

[motrhed]

Sorry, but you have to go a little stiffer to really make a improvement in gravel road /desert travel. It may feel softer overall though.

I have travelled gravel roads in pick-ups for most of my life and I don't agree that a stiffer suspension is the only way to go when traveling on wash boarded, pothole ridden, rough roads. With the progressive rate technology available these days in shocks and springs, there must be a smoother solution available out there. A product that will absorb the vibration from a washboard section then adapt to absorb a heavier hit from a pothole... all without transferring those forces into the rest of the truck.

 

[911regular]

Thanks for the info guys, your comments are appreciated. I read the 4Wheel and Off-Road articles and while that rig has some cool "think outside the box" mods, it is a bit beyond what I am trying to do. I am still searching for the F150 that was built to imitate a Raptor.

It was on xtreme 4x4;Half price Raptor

 

[motrhed]

Thank again,I will take a look.

 

[bftank]

check out the dezert rangers forum and race-dezert. and no that is not misspelled. lots of basic info to get an idea as to what you need.

 

[Buliwyf]

I have travelled gravel roads in pick-ups for most of my life and I don't agree that a stiffer suspension is the only way to go when traveling on wash boarded, pothole ridden, rough roads. With the progressive rate technology available these days in shocks and springs, there must be a smoother solution available out there. A product that will absorb the vibration from a washboard section then adapt to absorb a heavier hit from a pothole... all without transferring those forces into the rest of the truck.

Sure. Throw some serious $$$$ at it.
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But for a mild cost build with leaf springs in the rear. The Bilsteins should work fine if you don't mind stiffer overall damping onroad, but stiffer compression damping and properly fast bypass rebound can get rid of that sharp blow from the tire leaving the ground from a pothole hit and the truck falling back to earth. It's hard to describe, some people are crazy about how plush a rtace truck is, when it's actually far stiffer at the same time. What I mean is going to sound like those old Eldebrock shock adds about thier swifter rebound.
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The last F150 I was in with the high end Bilstein Bypass shock was really nice. I forget if he had to mod other things to get them to fit. It had a smooth, solid, flat ride over Florida dirt roads. But you felt every inch of the road. Which is kind of a plus also, for control.

 

[motrhed]

check out the dezert rangers forum and race-dezert. and no that is not misspelled. lots of basic info to get an idea as to what you need.

Thanks for the links, I found some more products to look into.

 

[motrhed]

Choices...

I didn't think that it was going to be this difficult to find information on suspension mods for a new F150!!
There are lots of levelling type solutions out there but all have drawbacks, namely ball joint and CV wear issues.
I am leaning towards a full on 4" lift with 34 to 35" tires and higher end shocks.
It is going to happen soon...

 

[Saiyan66]

Unfortunately if you want off road performance with an IFS front end you are going to have compromises. I would suggest this as a solution:

King 2.5" shock package (coilovers with reservoirs in front and smooth body piggybacks in the rear)
Icon upper control arms (you may have to rebuild these every year due to your conditions, but its pretty simple)
35x12.50R18 Toyo mud terrains

This will give you a great setup off road and you will get lots of extra ground clearance from the 35" tires. The motor and tranny will only need a speedo recalibration. You will still have plenty of power and the truck will rock off road! Unfortunately maintenance is goint to be a necessity because of your climate. There really isn't any way around it if you want good performance off road. Oh and the CV's should be ok with just a 2" level on the front.