Off-Road Ranger I
I have a 2017 ford F1 50 that is Stock. I would like to do moderate off-roading, nothing too crazy. Should I go for a 2 inch level with slightly bigger tires or a 6 inch lift much bigger tires?
Lift or level?
- Thread starter Glenn Hickman
- Start date
Member III
Glenn,
If it was me, and the 2” leveling with the next size tire or so will work for you, I would go that way. Why? You start going with a 6” lift, then everything will need to be changed out, costing lots more money. Not practical for a daily driver/ weekend wheeler. You loose some of the long term durability doing the large lift, and everything that will go with it too. Just my thoughts, Benz.
Influencer II
Off-Road Ranger I
Then run it like it is, unless you need a little more room in the front for a bigger tire. On my last few trucks, I would run the leveling kit in the front, then add a 1" block or add-a-leaf in the rear the get back just a touch of rake. Gave me room for a larger tire, and a little more ground clearance, without losing too much of the factory suspension geometry.
I run my trucks stock for at least a few adventures and find out what I want the truck to do.
I just recently downgraded my 4Runners tires because it still needs to road trip there and be comfortable and good to drive.
With my F150 I ordered the rear Bilstein 5100s to cut out the swaying but will likely only do a 6112 in the fronts and lift it 1.5” at most, while leaving the rear stock height.
I just recently downgraded my 4Runners tires because it still needs to road trip there and be comfortable and good to drive.
With my F150 I ordered the rear Bilstein 5100s to cut out the swaying but will likely only do a 6112 in the fronts and lift it 1.5” at most, while leaving the rear stock height.
on most trucks those 6 inch drop bracket lifts are about looking cool at the mall and not suited for off pavement use. If you need more height to clear larger tires look into real suspension system that upgrade the shocks, control arms ext. They often cost quite a bit more then the 6inch kits but will give you better wheel travel and off road performance.
Glenn, one more thing.
Before this F150 I had a Tacoma 4x4. Added 2.5" lift with SPC UCAs, OME shocks, OME coils, put some mean looking tires, rock sliders, skids, bumpers, winch, rear rack with RTT, the whole "Adventure" or "Overland" thing. It looked GREAT!
It was terrible to daily drive. Terrible. 14MPG on the highway on a good day.
Did it perform well off road? Very. Ironically my less built 4 Runner did slightly better due to wheel base. And the 4Runner averaged 18.5 - 20Mpg on highway (with front bumper, skids, sliders, winch and e-load 32" tires).
Basically the 4Runner was still a very friendly daily driver, the Tacoma was not.
You spend a lot of money on suspension, and I made changes over time (887's to 888's, adding Dakars to rear, then another leaf later). The better it got off road the worse it drove on road.
Leave it stock till you determine what it is you want to do, because I regret building a monster truck for the 2% of the time i needed it. Going to wal-mart was annoying, but at least I looked cool!
Off-Road Ranger I
Thank you. This helped a lot. After reading this I knew what to do. So this AM I pulled the trigger on a 2 inch level with fox 2.0 coil overs, changed my rim from 20 inch to 18 inch for more side wall. Got maverick 18x9 rims with 33 inch K02 tires (33.2x10.8).
Next, I need skid plates.
Next, I need skid plates.
I think you will be pleased with the look of the meatier tires. KO2s are a SOLID choice, great tire. Can be had in a C load to keep weight down too. A 2" level and those tires will completely transform the look of the truck while keeping the MPG just a mile or 2 less at the most.
With that setup, even without skids, you are going to be able to do 98% of all that "overlanders" do, including still enjoying the ride in that nice truck down the highway, and keeping your DD ability nice and good.
I have a 2018 3.5L EB FX4 that is currently stock, but I've just decided on a 1.5 - 2" front level. When I wear out my factory tires, I'll end up going 17" or 18" wheels with 33" meats. Almost exactly what you built. Trust me, having done a lot of wheeling with quite a few vehicles...that setup is gonna get you to anywhere you want. It won't take you everywhere, but it will likely be able to handle what you'll want to handle. I have ridden with more built machines, but you'll probably chicken out before the truck runs out of capability (and that's not meant as an insult at all).
Either way, I really would love to see a picture of your setup when you're done so I can see what my rig would look like.
**SIDE NOTE** If you're interested in serious skid plates, check out RCI Metalworks. I ordered my sliders for my Tacoma from them and they make F150 skids too. I'd keep weight down if you don't feel like you're gonna hit em hard, so spring for aluminum if you can.
Off-Road Ranger I
I am nervous going down fire roads. Trust me I scare easy. I get mad if I even see a little scratch on my truck lol.
What you are building will destroy any fire road I've ever seen. You should be good to go.
