Out with the old, in with the new...F-150.

[CountryboyNC]

Added a 2 inch leveling kit today. I’ll get some pics when it’s light, should be able to get it aligned tomorrow I hope. Ended up going from 37 7/8s to 39 7/8s. Have just over half inch of rake still. I have a 3 inch block to add, but I’m trying to find a roadmaster active suspension first before I do that

 

[CountryboyNC]

Got the 2 inch RC level on yesterday and aligned today. Still waiting on the lug nuts to some in to mount the new wheels and tires. I’ll probably run this for a little until the front struts wear out then replace them with some 6112s. Debating on what to do with the old wheels. I may clean them up again and mount a set of 285/75/17s on them eventually.

I went from 37 7/8s in the front to 39.75 and stayed at 40.5 in the rear.

 

[CountryboyNC]

 

[Grassland]

I'm one of those dweebs that sees, upon closer inspection, that your truck is not stock.
It's subtle. I like it!
Also liking whitewalls out. Don't see much of that.

 

[CountryboyNC]

Thanks. I never used to but decided to change the white walls out. Figued it would break up the one big solid color. The tires are quite and smooth, so far, which I love. I do know I’m going to invest in the suspension here soon. I really would like to do 6112s but I don’t know if I want to spend $800 for the amount of time I can get off the pavement these days. I may go back to 5100s at 1.25 or 1.75.

I’m going to put a full brush guard on eventually as well someday, if I get lucky and find one used I’ll replace the softopper with a fiberglass shell as well.

 

[CountryboyNC]

Cleaned it up and got a coat of synthetic ceramic on it. I’m extremely happy with this set up so far as far as Tires. They are quiet and track very well. They are measuring out exactly at 33 inches at 36 lbs of air, which I need to add to. I’m contemplating front suspension options right now. I’d love to replace the UCAs while I’m at it, but unfortunately I won’t be able to with oem tires are far as I can tell.

 

[Grassland]

Is there play in the OEM UCAs?
A Billy 5100 at 1.75" has been on my truck for 5 years, and my original factory UCAs are still ok.

 

[CountryboyNC]

No, and this truck seems ok. I’m just comparing to my 2013 f150 that I a 2.5 on prior to the billys I used to have a bad issue of topping out and contacting the struts on the down stroke.

Once I put the Bilsteins I also put aftermarket UCAs on so I don’t really have anything to compare to I guess. But these seem like they still have a good range of motion and don’t seem taxed

 

[jbaucom]

I don't think you'll have any issues with the UCA if you keep the 5100s at 1.75 or less. I need to remeasure now that it's been a couple months, but after about 300 miles on my 2019 I got ~1.6" from the 5100s set on the 1.26" groove. I have a Westin winch tray and 12K winch on the front that weigh about 135 lbs, so the sag (almost 0.5" from stock) from that could have impacted the amount of lift I got from the Bilsteins. I'm still about an inch higher than stock in the front, which is pretty much where I wanted it.

 

[ricoisme26]

Just read through your thread, did you regear you '13 when you went to 315s? I ask as I have a '12 with the 5.0 currently stock (same '18-'20 sport wheels as you though) and would like to level/lift and bump to a 285/75r18 or 295/70r18 tires. I have the 3.55 gears and already wish I had 3.73s.

How did your '13 handle that Cherokee Greywolf 26dbh? My truck also only has a 7700lbs tow rating but I'm interested in a travel trailer. Looks like that camper would max out the 7700lbs rating, something i'm not opposed to, i have a suspension build in mind that should greatly improve performance over the stock rating.

 

[CountryboyNC]

Just read through your thread, did you regear you '13 when you went to 315s? I ask as I have a '12 with the 5.0 currently stock (same '18-'20 sport wheels as you though) and would like to level/lift and bump to a 285/75r18 or 295/70r18 tires. I have the 3.55 gears and already wish I had 3.73s.

How did your '13 handle that Cherokee Greywolf 26dbh? My truck also only has a 7700lbs tow rating but I'm interested in a travel trailer. Looks like that camper would max out the 7700lbs rating, something i'm not opposed to, i have a suspension build in mind that should greatly improve performance over the stock rating.

I did not regear. I had the 3.55s with locking rear end. It did fine, I didn’t want the truck to be a race car, but it wasn’t a slug either. When I bought the camper I dropped to a 285/75/17. I honestly like that size a lot better as I feel like the 315 is over kill for the gain you get from it.

My camper had a gross weight of 7250 if I remember correctly, loaded for a long weekend for my wife, myself and my daughter I was usually around 6400-6500. It pulled it well, you could definitely tell it was back there in the mountains but on the flatter ground it was fine. The ecoboost is definitely more suited as it builds its power and torque at lower RPM. The best modification I added for the 5.0 was a 5* tune and the roadmaster active suspension when I came to towing. I have since sold the camper as I was able to get a place at the coast which is where we were going most of the time and I prefer tent camping away from camp grounds. I have a 22 foot center console now which is probably around 5,000 lbs give or take but the tongue weight is not nearly as heavy. I have timbrens in the back right now, I would really like another Roadmaster but I can get bags cheaper.

As far as the brush guard with winch tray, you have any pictures and how do you like it? Unfortunately I can’t put a winch on with the ecoboost but I do want a brush guard I think. And 1 inch wheels spacers.

 

[jbaucom]

As far as the brush guard with winch tray, you have any pictures and how do you like it? Unfortunately I can’t put a winch on with the ecoboost but I do want a brush guard I think. And 1 inch wheels spacers.

Actually, Sterling Equipment makes a winch mount that is Ecoboost compatible. It mounts the winch above the intercooler air intake in the bumper. Their mounts are available as full brush guards too. Check out this link for pictures - the late model F150s are at the bottom of the page: Ford F150 (sterlingequipment.us)

I don't have a brush guard on my truck; I just have the Westin winch tray and a Smittybilt X2O 12K winch. I was going for cost savings and simplicity when I bought it, but now sometimes I think I should have bought the full Westin HDX grille guard with winch mount. I'll have to dig through my pictures and see if I can find one of the front of my truck.

 

[ricoisme26]

@CountryboyNC

Thanks for the update, I live in a very hilly area, my 15 minute commute I gain 900+ feet in elevation. Not looking for a race car but better mpg given my situation, my understanding is trucks with the factory 3.73s did better around town, I'd expect it to hold double the truth in a landscape such as mine. I'll have to look into the roadmaster suspension, it wasn't part of my suspension build out currently but I had not yet selected airbags etc for towing improvements.

Congrats on the costal property! My fiancé and I have been on a few inshore charters and we would love to spend more time doing that but we live a long way from the coast so its a vacation activity to get away from the extended family for a bit.

 

[CountryboyNC]

Haha, well if you ever make it to the southern outer banks and want to chase some inshore red fish; trout or flounder or run offshore and try your hand at dolphin, tuna, wahoo or kings. Hit me up!

 

[ABBB]

Thanks for measuring!
My next tires are going to have to be a common size. I really want 255/80R17s but it's not super common, so kind of left with 285/70R17 or 275/70R18.

How did that Barricade raptor grille hold up while you had it?

Would you consider a different leaf pack rather than air bags for towing?

I have 255/80/17s on my Colorado Bison currently. Falken Wildpeak AT3W. They’re wonderful in all on-road conditions and do fine in dirt but I’ve been underwhelmed by them in mud and snow. Wouldn’t buy again due to how I use them but would be solid for someone who spends most of their time on road or on soft roads. Cooper Discoverer, Toyo AT3 were also available in this size. More out there in MT and RT as well.