Noob - here are my plans for my 2011 silver supercrew

[flagbonz]

Hi guys. I have had my 2011 silver supercrew for about two weeks - love it so far. I have had a chance to hit some forrest service roads here in Northern Arizona. The high speed stability is outstanding. I have some plans for the truck.

Today I switched the light bulbs to the phillips xtreme - went ok except that i broke a retention tab ion the wiring harness on one side. Its not dark yet so dont know the difference. Last night I was out with the wife - she thought the stock lights were weak......

In two weeks I am having SDHQ put on one of their LED Bumpers in grey and upgraded to the Evo Prime Lights. (I had a very hard time choosing between SDHQ and ADD - Both seem like great companies.) I am also adding the anti-lock sensor protectors AND a front shock perch - not sure if middle or top setting.

Later this spring or summer I will work on the rear suspension with Deavers, etc.

Any thoughts on the perch setting - I definitely dont want the front higher than the rear....

Also - anyone using wheel spacers on the stock wheels/tires?

 

[NoCaDiver]

Welcome to the forum.

 

[bstoner59]

A set of 1" Deavers will put the rear just a fraction of an inch higher than the front. If you don't want the front higher go with the middle perch and a set if 2" Deavers or stock setting on. The perch with the 1" Deavers. I have gone back to the stock setting on the perch and the 1" Deavers and I like it better than when I had the top perch adjustment and the Deavers.

 

[flagbonz]

A set of 1" Deavers will put the rear just a fraction of an inch higher than the front. If you don't want the front higher go with the middle perch and a set if 2" Deavers or stock setting on. The perch with the 1" Deavers. I have gone back to the stock setting on the perch and the 1" Deavers and I like it better than when I had the top perch adjustment and the Deavers.

thanks for the info. i am leaning toward middle perch and +1 deavers. how do you think would set the truck up. right now my stock set up has 8" between the top of tire and fender in the front and 11 in the rear. the middle perch should bring the front up maybe 1 1/2 " up in the front and the +1 deaver lower the rear about 1 1/2"? that would level it i think. again any advice would be appreciated.

 

[flagbonz]

Welcome to the forum.

thanks

 

[MarkT]

Welcome! One thing to be aware of is that making the tire clearance front to rear equal is not the same as leveling the truck... I think on the Raptor if you made the top of the tire to the fender equal front and rear, the front of the truck would be and look higher than the rear.

bstoner... our resident "Deaver expert" said he has his front perch stock with + 1" Deavers. I think his truck looks perfect. If you want to go to the middle perch on the front, you'd probably want the + 2" Deavers as bs recommended.

Also consider that the middle perch setting will change how the position-sensitive shocks perform... and you'll be losing droop travel.

 

[The Tank]

Welcome

 

[flagbonz]

do you guys buy into the notion that ford wnated the middle perch, but height safety requirements dictated the lowest perch......??

 

[MarkT]

do you guys buy into the notion that ford wnated the middle perch, but height safety requirements dictated the lowest perch......??

No. I think Ford spent a lot of time and money dialing in the spring/shock combo to perform well.

Using the middle perch does several things, all of which could be detrimental... raises ride height - higher cg... completely changed the front suspension a-arm geometry at ride height which affect the roll center and handling... reduced droop travel... and since these are position-sensitive shocks, you've changed the way the shock damping was designed to work.

If you want to raise the truck for looks... fine. But IMHO you'll have to do a lot more than move the perch up one position to improve performance.

 

[SLB8SNK]

No. I think Ford spent a lot of time and money dialing in the spring/shock combo to perform well.

Using the middle perch does several things, all of which could be detrimental... raises ride height - higher cg... completely changed the front suspension a-arm geometry at ride height which affect the roll center and handling... reduced droop travel... and since these are position-sensitive shocks, you've changed the way the shock damping was designed to work.

If you want to raise the truck for looks... fine. But IMHO you'll have to do a lot more than move the perch up one position to improve performance.

Great response and explanation!