^^^^ Second that motion.

 

I don't think you understand independent suspension very well then. The shocks don't support vehicle-body weight, which is what the front differential is bolted to. The shocks are only dealing with wheel weight, which includes a portion of the weight of the halfshafts. That's really about all the extra weight a 4x4 has over a 4x2. This isn't a solid-axle we're talkin about here.

 

I see no reason not to lower a 1/2 ton 4WD if you don't need the additional clearance for wheeling, and it works out better for the owner/driver.

 

Thanks for the heads up !!
Just got some quick struts for mine, will double check part#'s before installing

 

i wonder if it would work the other way, using the 4x4 struts to lift a 2wd a couple inches... similar to a leveling kit.

 

Yes, same result, different direction.

 

When I put the 4x2 struts on my truck the fit was tight, putting a 4x4 strut in there may require some squeezing in if the overall length is 2" longer. I thought about using the 4x4 kit as a "leveling spacer" but was concerned about extra wear/tear on the suspension. Do the 4x4 struts use a stiffer spring?

 

and cheaper than the loaded quicklift struts from Rancho.

 

Yes, 2WD and 4WDs use the same coil spring, same number from Ford, same rates. The 4WD struts aren't really 2" longer, just 1.010" longer extended.
The actual shock body on a 4WD shock is shorter as is travel from compressed to extended. The 2WD shock goes all the way to the lower eye. The 2WD shock has more travel.

Look at the lower control arm, you have inner bushings which anchor the arm to the frame. The arm swings through an arc at the ball joint end. Notice that the lower strut mount is inwards between the two ends.
Measure carefully from center line of inner bushings to lower strut mount center. write down as "A".
Measure carefully from same center line of inner bushings to center of lower ball joint. Write that down as "B".
Convert those tape measurements to decimals.
"A" / "B" = 0.636
"B" / "A" = 1.572
A change in length of the loaded shock / strut of 1" will change ride height about 1.57" at the spindle then.
The use of a 4WD front strut on a 2WD truck will result in a hair over 1.5" height increase in front if the shock is under the same preload when installed on the strut before installing in the truck. If more preload is involved, then the increase will be higher as the spring is squeezed tighter before the vehicle weight is applied.

I have been looking for a stock 2WD 04-08 F150 on a dealer lot here to measure from center of lower shock eye bolt on the LCA up to the bottom of the lower spring seat an both sides of the step, they are simply not common here. Everyone I find is a 4WD. The 2WDs seem to be shop trucks or owned by individuals, they are not on used car lots.

I will not crawl under some stranger's PU in a parking lot or driveway.

On my 4WD it was 7-7/16" and 8-1/4" on the two points at the "step" there at the front of the shock on the driver's side. On the pass side, it'll be at the rear. See picture below, stock 4WD front strut on 07 FX4.

I don't know how much the preload might change on 4WD vs 2WD of the strut in extended condition though, that's why I want the above measurements from the center of the lower shock eye bolt up to the underside of the lower spring seat on both sides of that "step" where the spring end rides for a 2WD shock / strut. If someone has a 2WD and wants to crawl under the front and note the above demisions, like just the longer one up to inside the step ..... THANKS!

 

When I got my struts from completestruts.com I called them right away after I placed my order and I asked them what the difference was between the two units and and they gave me a great answer.

Basically what they said was that the longer unit had a much heavier-duty spring, about 5lbs heavier, with an extra coil (spring-level) compared to the other one. And they said that you had to use the correct one for your car, whether its 2WD or 4Wd.

Thought that was some good info to have.

-Mark