Official Lowered 4x4 thread
#513
I just called the dealer, they want $112 a piece for 2wd U bolts, not a set, a piece. Anyone that has done this very install, would you please provide the part numbers. I have found some struts on eBay for $120 a piece, but if new ones are close to that price, I would buy new.
#518
Hello, I'm new to the forum. I just picked up a '14 FX4. I'm wanting to lower it by just taking the rear blocks out, then installing 2wd struts & shocks. My question to y'all that have done this, is where are y'all getting your parts? I just called the dealer, they want $112 a piece for 2wd U bolts, not a set, a piece. Anyone that has done this very install, would you please provide the part numbers. I have found some struts on eBay for $120 a piece, but if new ones are close to that price, I would buy new. I'll probably just run a couple of washers or try to see if rear block will go on top to take up some room for threads not to bottom out.
Thanks for the great info thus far.
Thanks for the great info thus far.
Stengel Bros.U-Bolt Kits - Square Bend Ubolts U-bolt kits that include two square bend Ubolts, four deep nuts and four hard washers. I used # 361-434 http://stengelbros.com/U-boltKits.htm __ Square Bend 9/16 x 3.0625 inside x 8.375 long Grade 5 (2 U-bolts per kit with nuts and washers 9/16-18 X 3-1/16 X 8-3/8 ). http://www.stengelbros.net/361-434-S...Kit_p_367.html
ref is made to oem # D7TZ5455A, E7TZ5455A
Here's an interesting write up on torque values. http://www.stengelbros.com/u-bolts/#Torque
Looks like you got same ones .... I think they were shy of $40 in 2011.
Originally Posted by cwhitt
Just ordered mine through Stengel Bros. 9/16x18threadx3 1/16 x8 ⅜. Ran me $50. ... etc ...
Last edited by tbear853; 09-06-2016 at 10:37 PM.
#519
BTW bear, it's funny how one of my first posts had you and 05RedFX4 posting in it and now yalls trucks are inspiration for the vision to my 05 DSG. I'm constantly looking at both your pictures.
Last edited by cwhitt; 09-08-2016 at 04:36 PM.
#521
05RedFX4's was largely the one that got my attention as well .... the truck drives great and every time the "Wife Unit" and I get in or out .... we reap an added benefit. It's also amazing how much a 2" drop from stock 4X height reduced that "reach over the bed side" stretch.
#522
#523
I wrote a thread about mine at https://www.f150online.com/forums/20...yesterday.html but I also posted at post #251 in this here thread we are in. I didn't use a "kit". Mine had 2" high factory blocks ..... but I think some used shorter blocks maybe???
Last edited by tbear853; 09-15-2016 at 06:20 PM.
#524
I think I read somewhere that the later models (newer than the 04-08 models) have smaller factory blocks.
I think tbear has some kind of weird model though....one that makes it so that minimal modification makes a HUGE difference and looks amazing....while mine on the other hand takes huge modification for a tiny difference that nobody other than myself can make out lol.
I think tbear has some kind of weird model though....one that makes it so that minimal modification makes a HUGE difference and looks amazing....while mine on the other hand takes huge modification for a tiny difference that nobody other than myself can make out lol.
#525
Cwhitt ..... Your's looks great now, but I think you'll love it lowered. Might have to go shorter on tires, down to 32 /33" OAD when you get there ..... but you'll love getting in and out ..... and then there's the "road manners".
I know there are "differences" over the years. Mine's sticker shows a date 06-07-07, it has the 3.55 gearing and 7,200 GVW rating with oem 20" wheels. Mine has the single top or main leaf with a long second leaf under it and then the shorter & much thicker in center, tapered at ends heavy (overload?) leaf under that for a total of 3 leaves. My OEM spacers were exactly 2" high and had no taper at all, and all I did was remove them? Really! (well, I did use shorter U bolts)
OEM set up before my lowering in 2011:
I do still have the FX4 rear shocks in place but when measured for suspension travel (axle now to bump stop) and compressed length (of oem 4X shocks), if the rear axle bottoms on the bounce stops the shocks will be about as short as they can be and be bottomed ..... so if that's looks possible in my use, I'll have to load lighter or get some 2WD shorter rear shocks if I don't want to risk damage to shock mounts (I really did remove the rear wheel and measure and draw in scale suspension movement from ride to compressed including shock mounting locations).
I too have read that some models have 4 leaves total and shorter spacers, but I forget what years / models / GVW ratings they were. I have read some posts about broken springs .... but those usually are from northern / colder climates or heavily loaded "work" trucks it seems.
If I ever started hauling heavier then I'd add some sort of air bag assist I think ..... adjustable for load. Have Air Lifts on our Mercury GM and when unloaded I have them vented to atmosphere with Schrader valve out. As it is, I have a '77 F150 for "loads" like a ton plus wood pellets, etc ... and a trailer with 3,500 lb axle that'll haul a decent load if needed ..... so the '07 sees things like luggage, Costco shopping, gas can fill ups, .... lighter stuff.
I did once consider using some longer "lowering" shackles at the rear to take another inch or so off the height at rear ..... but after all was said and done, I found that I liked the rake it had and had accomplished my goal .... and so I stopped here. When I ever R&R shocks .... I'll likely use shocks intended for a 2X4 on both ends and then there'll be no cuts and welds at front (anyone considering this, refer to post #251 .... I was extremely cautious / careful to NOT heat up the shock body / fluid as you'll see) or possibility of bottoming the rear shocks.
I know there are "differences" over the years. Mine's sticker shows a date 06-07-07, it has the 3.55 gearing and 7,200 GVW rating with oem 20" wheels. Mine has the single top or main leaf with a long second leaf under it and then the shorter & much thicker in center, tapered at ends heavy (overload?) leaf under that for a total of 3 leaves. My OEM spacers were exactly 2" high and had no taper at all, and all I did was remove them? Really! (well, I did use shorter U bolts)
OEM set up before my lowering in 2011:
I do still have the FX4 rear shocks in place but when measured for suspension travel (axle now to bump stop) and compressed length (of oem 4X shocks), if the rear axle bottoms on the bounce stops the shocks will be about as short as they can be and be bottomed ..... so if that's looks possible in my use, I'll have to load lighter or get some 2WD shorter rear shocks if I don't want to risk damage to shock mounts (I really did remove the rear wheel and measure and draw in scale suspension movement from ride to compressed including shock mounting locations).
I too have read that some models have 4 leaves total and shorter spacers, but I forget what years / models / GVW ratings they were. I have read some posts about broken springs .... but those usually are from northern / colder climates or heavily loaded "work" trucks it seems.
If I ever started hauling heavier then I'd add some sort of air bag assist I think ..... adjustable for load. Have Air Lifts on our Mercury GM and when unloaded I have them vented to atmosphere with Schrader valve out. As it is, I have a '77 F150 for "loads" like a ton plus wood pellets, etc ... and a trailer with 3,500 lb axle that'll haul a decent load if needed ..... so the '07 sees things like luggage, Costco shopping, gas can fill ups, .... lighter stuff.
I did once consider using some longer "lowering" shackles at the rear to take another inch or so off the height at rear ..... but after all was said and done, I found that I liked the rake it had and had accomplished my goal .... and so I stopped here. When I ever R&R shocks .... I'll likely use shocks intended for a 2X4 on both ends and then there'll be no cuts and welds at front (anyone considering this, refer to post #251 .... I was extremely cautious / careful to NOT heat up the shock body / fluid as you'll see) or possibility of bottoming the rear shocks.
Last edited by tbear853; 04-11-2019 at 07:57 PM.