Help! I want to level front end - upper control arm issue?

[BMD]

12's seem to be ok

12's are a non issue

 

[BMD]

I just stumbled across an interesting fairly recent review of the Rancho's:


October 30, 2013

By

David Hostetler "SuperDave3006"


This review is from: Rancho RS999910 Quick Lift Loaded Strut (Automotive)

I replaced my OEM shocks / coil springs and an Autospring 2.5" spacer block with the Quicklift Loaded on my 2004 F150 4x4. I have the 5.4L with a heavy duty winch bumper and 9000lb winch. Before the quicklift loadeds, measurements from ground to the top center of the wheel arches with 35x12.50/17 tires was 40.75" front, 40.75" rear. After 38.75" front and 40.75" rear. I literally lost 2" of lift going with these!

Now that's the bad. Now for the good. The rock hard leveling kit ride is a thing of the past. I set my front adjusters to 6, the rear to 4 and away I went. Rancho recommends that setting for street / highway, but I use it offroad as well and it performs very well.

I am working with Rancho, and checking the Ford Truck forums to see what others have come up with. It appears the coil spring included in the Quicklifts doesn't have a correct spring rate, and is basically too soft, so winch bumpers, winches, larger displacement engine etc... tend to make them sag more. There are several guys putting 1 and 2 inch spacers on top of these!

While I believe Rancho has the right idea, they need to belly up to the bar as it were, and fix these things so they give the full advertised lift, and offer free replacements with LABOR for the ones they shipped out defective...

I think if they straighten out the ride height issues, these could be a real winner in the long run.


Any thoughts?

On my two dodge 1500's it did exactly what I wanted and the 295/65/20 worked like a champ and that is actually a taller tire than the 35x12.5

 

[UneasyJmitchell]

12's seem to be ok

Thanks. Just dropped it off this morning for the level install. 35s coming soon.

 

[gopackgo69]

Anybody install the zone UCA's yet?

 

[SIhemi]

I ordered the roncho quick lift. Can't wait for them to come in.

 

[jbr]

Anybody install the zone UCA's yet?

http://www.ramforum.com/showthread.php?t=47445

 

[jhettinger79]

Anybody install the zone UCA's yet?

Yes with the Bils and love it !!

 

[Dante221]

Yes!!!

Anybody install the zone UCA's yet?

I had the Zone control arms and Bilsteins @2.1 done at the same time.
More than pleased!


Dante

 

[mpd2434]

I'm looking to do this also now with the Bilsteins and upper control arms. Is there a reason you only went with the 2.1" setting? I wanted to set mine at the max lift to level my truck after I take the spacers off that are giving me a problem.

 

[Durockrolly]

I had the Zone control arms and Bilsteins @2.1 done at the same time.
More than pleased!


Dante

How's the ride compares to stock?

 

[Dante221]

.

I'm looking to do this also now with the Bilsteins and upper control arms. Is there a reason you only went with the 2.1" setting? I wanted to set mine at the max lift to level my truck after I take the spacers off that are giving me a problem.

Only needed 2.1". Rear is 3/4" higher and not even noticeable . Dont
lift any more than is needed!

Dante

 

[Dante221]

.

How's the ride compares to stock?

The ride is really nice and even with the 295/65/20 Toyo AT IIs
it is as smooth as stock.

Dante

 

[tripower]

So much bad info in these recent leveling threads... With the Bilsteins or the Ranchos and proper installation, you don't need new UCAs on a 13/14. The problem occurs when you run strut spacers, or if you install the Bilsteins incorrectly (by using a floor jack under the LCA while the upper ball joint is still connected). Bilsteins, even at 2.8, don't allow the suspension to travel far enough to bind the ball joint. I've checked. In fact, suspension travel doesn't increase in any meaningful way. Instead, you just lose some travel.

 

[11BPSMIKE]

Just did Bilstein 2.1 stock upper arms without issue, they never moved a bit and I can't see how they will.

 

[Arctic-Rodz]

ive been running my 2.5HBS on my 2013 with OEM wheels and tires for about 6 months and 7k miles or so.

I have had no ball joint issues.

Im thinking the issue occurs when you get an aftermarket tire/wheel with a more negative offset which may increase pressure on that balljoint

 

[noclass]

Both the spacer and the adjustable struts are doing the same thing they both affect the ball joint angle by increasing the distance from the top mount to the lower control arm thus pulling the knuckle and upper arm with it

 

[11BPSMIKE]

Bilsteins are not much longer , far less than a spacer would be. It adds preload to the spring to lift the front end.

 

[VdubBry]

Great thread here, I have an early 13 - was manufactured in November 2012. Been all over the place wanting to level but keep reading these stories of control arm issues.

Is there any difference between doing the Bilsteins or the Rancho Quick Lift Loaded? Not sure what the difference is in the two products.

 

[Jbenson]

Well I'm going to chime in now. I was told that a lot of guys are tac wielding their ball joints in place while installing the spacers and are having no issues. Any thoughts?

 

[Daywalker73]

Zone Off-Road Products has the correct fix to the issue.

http://zoneoffroad.com/zone-offroad-products-2in-suspension-lift-kit-ram/d49