Opinions on my suspension upgrades

[mtnghost]

So, had the truck checked out and no surprise I need bushings and springs replaced. Speaking to the “Raptor specialists” in my area, and researching and let’s be honest having my own opinions I have come down to what I think I wan to do. I am super new to trucks, but not new to track duty street cars. So I would like all your expert opinions on why or why not my choices are right or wrong for my usage.

Ok here goes, my UCAs are worn, my lower ball joints worn, leaf springs and eyelets worn, steering rack leaks, tie rods worn, and sway bar endlinks worn.
I really like Foutz work and products. I also have real bad ocd and would like to keep the brand mixing to a minimum. Was thinking of keeping the stock LCA for now and replacing the ball joints, what brand rack should I get? Apparently they are NLA new or from ford? Also should I do a aftermarket steering pump kit? What rear springs should I get? Deaver or Icon, I was leaning toward icon due to adjustability and they also make shocks and matching front coilovers if I decide to go that route later. I think that’s all the parts for now, so let’s move on to how I will be using the truck. I primarily want to overland it, and if I am ever lucky enough to get it to a raptor run, it would be nice to feel what this truck was meant to do. Also it’s my daily ATM so don’t want to make it a dedicated off road rig. Thank you all for your input, and no response is wrong and every input will go toward making the best for my decision. Thank you all again for taking the time to help out!

 

[TomDirt]

I think I paid a little over $100 for newer LCA bushings, another $250 to a reliable shop to rebuild my steering rack, and ended up with RPG's (steel, not billet) UCA's. For now, I'm going with a new (oem) steering pump & reservoir, (and staying with 35's). There's already a steering cooler built into the truck, too. The Lee steering upgrade is $1500 for the Raptor system, and nobody local I'd trust to install it.

 

[TomDirt]

Sure is bright and shiny, though.

GEN 1 Ford Raptor High-Performance Power Steering Pump Kit

The Ford Raptor is an awesome vehicle. Unfortunately, the power steering system can only handle street and light off-road usage. When you start aggressively driving it or add larger diameter tires the pump falls short, starts to howl and eventually fails. The problem starts with the poorly...

leepowersteering.com

 

[Jhollowell]

@TomDirt where did you see steel UCA's from RPG? I've been wanting a new set but don't want heim joints at the frame so i was looking at Baja Kits or Blitzkrieg.

@mtnghost I would suggest Deavers and stock shocks for your use. The Icons sometimes don't play well with other kits if you decide to do more later and the shocks are regressive which means they are stiffer at the beginning and get softer towards the end of the stroke. That will give you a rough ride on the street and i'm not sure how that works offroad either. Generally you want it softer in the beginning and stiffer as you get deeper in the travel to help with bottom out. Icon knows their stuff so i'm sure it works great, its just weird that all the other shocks do the opposite. Also, i would stay away from the billet UCA's. they look cool but the heims will wear out fast and its super expensive to rebuild them. Keep the bushings at the frame mount.

 

[TomDirt]

@TomDirt where did you see steel UCA's from RPG?

You're right. They are Blitzkrieg, not RPG.

10-14 Raptor UCA

BMS 2010-14 UCA Kit Heavy Duty plate construction Urethane inner pivot bushings with grease fittings Massive 1.5" Uniballs 17-4 Stainless Spacers 4340 Heat Treated Adapter pins Uniball sealing cap to prevent debris from sitting on the uniball ***Lead time may very depending on current production***

blitzkriegoffroad.com

 

[Gumby]

Just for a simple overland rig I would rebuild the stock LCA. Deaver or icon not sure on that one I have Deaver +2 @mwaite09 has Icon setup in stock hight configuration. not sure witch I like better We both are running Eibach in the front On low. Both trucks are very capable of overlanding.
I have been rebuilding the fox 2.5 my self they are not that difficult to do. and the parts and oil cost around 25-28 bucks a shock. Once you get shader valves in all the ones you own.

 

[TomDirt]

Once you get shader valves in all the ones you own.

The conversion kit for oem Fox 2.5's:

SCHRADER RETROFIT KIT W/ DRILL, TAP AND 2 SCHRADERS

Schrader retrofit kit includes drill, tap and 2 schrader valves for retroftting needle style ports found on OEM Fox Raptor and UTV shocks. SHOCKSEALS.COM PN: AHD-VLV-RET2

www.shockseals.com

 

[mtnghost]

I think I paid a little over $100 for newer LCA bushings, another $250 to a reliable shop to rebuild my steering rack, and ended up with RPG's (steel, not billet) UCA's. For now, I'm going with a new (oem) steering pump & reservoir, (and staying with 35's). There's already a steering cooler built into the truck, too. The Lee steering upgrade is $1500 for the Raptor system, and nobody local I'd trust to install it.

Thank you for the input, I was thinking of just replacing the LCA ball joints with stock for now unless someone gives me a good reason to go aftermarket. I wish I could have the rack rebuilt, as I would like to keep the factory ratios and quality. Also I agree the $1500 for the “upgrade” is a hard pill to swallow. Yikes!

 

[mtnghost]

@TomDirt where did you see steel UCA's from RPG? I've been wanting a new set but don't want heim joints at the frame so i was looking at Baja Kits or Blitzkrieg.

@mtnghost I would suggest Deavers and stock shocks for your use. The Icons sometimes don't play well with other kits if you decide to do more later and the shocks are regressive which means they are stiffer at the beginning and get softer towards the end of the stroke. That will give you a rough ride on the street and i'm not sure how that works offroad either. Generally you want it softer in the beginning and stiffer as you get deeper in the travel to help with bottom out. Icon knows their stuff so i'm sure it works great, its just weird that all the other shocks do the opposite. Also, i would stay away from the billet UCA's. they look cool but the heims will wear out fast and its super expensive to rebuild them. Keep the bushings at the frame mount.

I too don’t understand why Icon went digressive! I totally agree off road it’s better to have Cush valving and allow the progressive springs to handle bottom out to a point. Hopefully the valving would have some bottom out protection but also that’s why we have the air or hydro bump stops. As far as UCA, I was looking at the steel ones, don’t know if the material or the design was the worrisome aspect of them? Likely the extra upkeep of the ball joints. I have taken this into consideration and it was one of my main concerns going aftermarket. The shop I went to says it’s a non issue and they 100% go aftermarket on these. It’s part of the reason I posted, as they are a raptor specialized shop and you all are raptor owners that know and care about the platform. Thank you for your feedback, I appreciate the input and also I’m a bit on the fence about changing these parts.

 

[mtnghost]

You're right. They are Blitzkrieg, not RPG.

10-14 Raptor UCA

BMS 2010-14 UCA Kit Heavy Duty plate construction Urethane inner pivot bushings with grease fittings Massive 1.5" Uniballs 17-4 Stainless Spacers 4340 Heat Treated Adapter pins Uniball sealing cap to prevent debris from sitting on the uniball ***Lead time may very depending on current production***

blitzkriegoffroad.com

These look a lot like the FMI arms with a very similar description. I will check them out, thanks again. For the record, are these what I was warned against getting? Because of helmjoints?