Why is Mid-Perch better than a lift kid. Local shop says different...

[Aaron313]

This question again.... *yawn


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[NogaroPR]

99% of the members on this form will tell you to go to mid perch. But it is really however you plan on using your truck. If you plan to be the mall Queen, hit Starbucks and not look back. go with spacers or a lift kit. If you plan on doing any off roading, get the shocks set to mid perch.

It is YOUR truck, do the research and do what you want. Some long time members, like @Icecobra had spacers, offroad, and no issues. More compression on your coil over will cause a harsher ride by preloading the spring. The ride part really is a preference though.
Good luck in your decision.

@Yukon Joe
Drive your raptor here!!!!
Great Lakes Raptor Excursions (GLRE) | Run Raptor Run
( * Y * )

Thanks for sound advice!

 

[whoisbigman]

Putting a spacer, or leveling kit on the front end changes the geometry and allows the shock to drop approx 1 1/2" past it's intended range. This will cause your everything to bind up front at full droop and is a sure way to break your axles and everything else. On mid-perch, you are retaining all geometry, you are only compressing the spring which tightens up the ride of your truck and gives you approx 1 1/2" of lift. The consensus by far is ride is better, won't break your truck.

 

[Aaron]

As has been said. The problem with the spacer occurs at full droop. To go to full droop you have to be running your truck fairly hard. Stuff like jumps, or even just sharp rises that allow your suspension to be completely drooped out. Your upper control arms will bind at that point and you can possibly cause damage to your shocks. It won't happen the first time or even the tenth, but over time if you're running hard you'll see damage.

Mid perch isn't harsh. It just takes away a bit of the brake dive you get with stock. It's a little less squishy, but rides nice. If you like the stock feel and aren't going to do what I mentioned above, go with a spacer, you'll be fine.

 

[SZDZMTR]

I need to confess before I joint the forum I did a leveling kit. I did not like the ride, it was comfortable but too soft and on highways at speeds it seemed like the truck was swaying because the air was coming underneath that's what it felt like.
I have a "ready lift" blue anodized leveling kit if you want for $125 (paid $250) for sale. used for 2-3k miles...
Mid perch made the truck sit with a slight rake and the ride is totally different since you utilize the suspension design 100% without compromising it. you will not have the nose dive at stops and it will handle bumps a thousand times better. you are not going to feel any dramatic stiffness at all. It would feel firm and predictable.
This truck was designed on mid perch, but because of headlights angle DOT made Ford to lower it.
best of luck.

 

[NogaroPR]

As has been said. The problem with the spacer occurs at full droop. To go to full droop you have to be running your truck fairly hard. Stuff like jumps, or even just sharp rises that allow your suspension to be completely drooped out. Your upper control arms will bind at that point and you can possibly cause damage to your shocks. It won't happen the first time or even the tenth, but over time if you're running hard you'll see damage.

Mid perch isn't harsh. It just takes away a bit of the brake dive you get with stock. It's a little less squishy, but rides nice. If you like the stock feel and aren't going to do what I mentioned above, go with a spacer, you'll be fine.

Well to based on your information, which was very well explained, I'll go with the leveling kit. I do not plan to go Baja Racing or even Rock Crawling constantly. I mostly use the truck for everyday use and I like the stock feel. The roads here SUCK BIG TIME and I wouldn't want stiffer ride. I'd rather have a plush ride with the look of a leveled truck. Thank you so much guys. I guess I'll be the only idiot riding 35's and a leveling kit on a Raptor!

 

[Aaron]

Well to based on your information, which was very well explained, I'll go with the leveling kit. I do not plan to go Baja Racing or even Rock Crawling constantly. I mostly use the truck for everyday use and I like the stock feel. The roads here SUCK BIG TIME and I wouldn't want stiffer ride. I'd rather have a plush ride with the look of a leveled truck. Thank you so much guys. I guess I'll be the only idiot riding 35's and a leveling kit on a Raptor!

Oh you won't be the only one. They still make them because they sell. You'll be fine though. Could always look at 37's too to help smooth out the bumps a bit.

 

[Yukon Joe]

Well to based on your information, which was very well explained, I'll go with the leveling kit. I do not plan to go Baja Racing or even Rock Crawling constantly. I mostly use the truck for everyday use and I like the stock feel. The roads here SUCK BIG TIME and I wouldn't want stiffer ride. I'd rather have a plush ride with the look of a leveled truck. Thank you so much guys. I guess I'll be the only idiot riding 35's and a leveling kit on a Raptor!

Going to mid perch is an easy, self performed mod. And depending where you are, there may be FRF members willing to help.
One option you could do, is try the mid perch, if you don't like the ride, get the spacers installed and move the shocks back to low perch.

If you get into it, I would not do both mid perch and spacers.
@Yukon Joe
Drive your raptor here!!!!
www.runraptorrun.com
( * Y * )

 

[Icecobra]

AS I was mentioned I will explain myself. I did the spacers, and not do the cheap ones I did solid blue anodized aluminum as opposed to some of the very first spacers (which sold for around 100.00) which were a poor design and usually failed and broke the welds on them. Although you did get the lift the design was so bad they often broke. The newer solid style aluminum are far better one piece design and solid. So for me why I went that way I wanted the lift while not effect the ride. I bought the truck because of the Cadillac ride. Raising the stock springs to pre load the shock and make the ride stiffer for me was not on the table. I have ridden in both stock and perch adjusted and you can definitely tell the difference. I ran the spacers and did drive off road and checked the axle bind regularly with no issues over a 25,000 mile distance. I sold the truck and have talked to the new owner and he has done nothing but drive the truck and still no issues at over 50,000 miles. When I had the truck I did about 1000 miles off road driving but I don't jump my truck and take care of my stuff, ( To be honest I don't drive like an idiot off road). I have seen people push there luck and break a lot of stuff because of failure to operate the vehicle in a safe manner. These are not 200,000 trophy trucks and things will break very easily when you do stupid things. (see rednecks with pay checks) A mans got to know his limitations and those of his equipment and you will enjoy thousands of enjoyable miles off road...

 

[Aaron]

These are not 200,000 trophy trucks and things will break very easily when you do stupid things. (see rednecks with pay checks) A mans got to know his limitations and those of his equipment and you will enjoy thousands of enjoyable miles off road...

Preach!