White95’s ‘23 F-150 “Abominable”

[white95]

Started this endeavor at 0800 by laying the parts out to ensure I hadn’t overlooked anything.



Satisfied that I could proceed without worry, I put the truck on jackstands and removed the tailpipe.



The initial steps were to remove the bolts holding the wiring and brake hoses to the axle. This was to facilitate maneuvering it around without damaging anything. With the axle supported by the jack, I removed the shocks and then the stock spring hardware.



This is where the fun begins..

You’re expected to remove the leaf springs from the truck to do the following. Since the instructions called for either dropping the fuel tank or cutting the LH front bolt for removal, I elected not to. Furthermore, you have to torque the front bolts to 256 lb ft and I didn’t have that capability without renting a tool.

Moving on…

To flip the leafs, you have to remove the bolts holding them together using a pair of vice grips and an impact. The c-clamps held the springs together making re-alignment easier.





Next up was getting the springs under the axle. The method used was pushing the rear end to one side with the jack and, well, just watch this:

Would’ve been simpler with two guy but I did it by myself since my buddy got called into work.




Once that ordeal was behind me it was a matter of installing the new flip plates/ traction bar brackets, axle saddles and getting it all bolted together.



The time is now 1000 and things are going relatively smooth.

 

[white95]

It took some time to get everything situated and tightened up. The final step was to get the rear shackles installed. I had to FIGHT to get be the upper bolts on either side and there were no pictures taken.



It took a combination of jacking the rear end up to the stratosphere allowing the bolts to be slipped into the shackles over the frame rails. By slipped, I mean beat into place with either a dead blow hammer or brass punch and a small maul.



The face you make when you know the ibuprofen ain’t gonna help much later.

Anywho… The rear is completed and the time is now 1105.



Spun the truck around and started on the front.

 

[white95]

The front was very straightforward but had a couple of headaches associated with it. To begin, put it back on jack stands and removed the rolling stock. Removed the brackets holding the brake lines, the sway bar endlink, and loosened the upper strut mount bolts. Pulled the nut off the upper ball joint to separate the UCA from the spindle. Once that was done, I removed the lower strut bolts, then the upper bolts and lastly fought the strut out of its position. Also removed the stock UCA and bolted the upper coil over mount into place.



The lower mount.



Loosely bolted the coil over into place and admired it a moment. I think the gold springs look cool and may have some other bits powdercoated to match.

Maybe..



Installed the Ridetech UCA and began a round of torquing hardware.



It was about this time I realized I hadn’t had anything to drink or eat yet. Knowing that meant I’d lose a significant amount of time, I drank some water from the garden hose and continued on.



The driver side went smoother because I decided to drop the tie rod end this time instead of fighting the strut out. Live and learn.



The time is now 1311.

 

[white95]

Set the truck back on terra firma and admired me work. Spun it around to jack the rear up and make a final nut & bolt check before I got too far ahead of myself.





The final step was to torque the UCAs to 111 ft lbs with the suspension loaded. This was a pain in the rear but I got it done. Just in time for it to start raining.





Project stop time, 1413.

 

[ttocs]

after seeing ridetechs facility that is an hour north of me and the quality of their products, I was sold. They are not the cheapest but they are worth it.

 

[white95]

after seeing ridetechs facility that is an hour north of me and the quality of their products, I was sold. They are not the cheapest but they are worth it.

They do not disappoint.

 

[white95]

Took it for a spin the next day (Saturday) and the ride was, well, pretty fucked up. The suggested baseline settings for the dampers led to bouncy and largely bone jarring antics.

Initial settings:

7C & 9R in the front and the rear was still the same 1C & 3R from before.



Super annoyed but not deterred. Talked to a few buddies with the same setup and tried 1c/3r front and 1c/5r rear. It rides a lot like my track day car now: firm and controlled.



I am going to give the coil over springs a chance to settle before I make any adjustments since it needs to come down a tad in the front.



Although I will have it aligned this week anyway, the camber correcting, Ridetech arms worked as advertised.




I am going to shoot for -0.5 to -1.0 camber and 0.0” toe with an acceptable amount of positive caster. The goal is to keep a solid contact patch when launching for front grip purposes but also dialing in a touch of negative camber to be fun on back roads.

 

[Daryl]

Damn, son! 6 1/4 hrs by yourself? Really amazing work++
I was thinking that front end looked a little high in relation to the rear end as I was reading through this very well-detailed post. Glad I didn’t spout off and say something as you obviously noticed and addressed it.
Being a novice, I am curious what the r and c refer to? Never afraid to admit my shortcomings to learn more ;-)

 

[weendoggy]

Damn, son! 6 1/4 hrs by yourself? Really amazing work++
I was thinking that front end looked a little high in relation to the rear end as I was reading through this very well-detailed post. Glad I didn’t spout off and say something as you obviously noticed and addressed it.
Being a novice, I am curious what the r and c refer to? Never afraid to admit my shortcomings to learn more ;-)

I believe that is Rebound and Compression, which is on double-adjustable shocks. Some just have rebound. I run a single adjustable on my F5 Cobra and I had them set to static compression. If I was racing, it'd be both.

 

[white95]

Thanks Darryl! Being self sufficient is tough work but well worth it. Ween is right, compression and rebound.

 

[duh09]

Looks sweet! Between your truck and a black one lowered down on Welds locally, these new model RCSB sure do make me want to go into buckets of debt.

 

[white95]

*whispers*

Do it…

 

[joemomma]

Always loved the look of a full-size sitting down. Goes back to my minitruckin' days, when lowered full-size were few and far between.

 

[white95]

Always loved the look of a full-size sitting down. Goes back to my minitruckin' days, when lowered full-size were few and far between.

It’s totally changed the attitude of the truck. Drives better, looks better and I’m hoping it launches better. Soon as I get some decent weather, we will see.

 

[Musturd]

This things so impressive for what’s all been done.

 

[ttocs]

that has got to make a difference in the performance that is measurable.

 

[white95]

Safe bet that I will test the piss out of it.

@Musturd

It has routinely beat my expectations for sure.

 

[96blak54]

SON OF A GUN

I WANT ONE!

I got to have 4 seats tho. The extended cabs add to much weight. Ive been eyeballing camper shells and racing seats for the bed!!!

But dang do I want one

 

[white95]

Sneak preview of the direction I am taking this truck. This is the closest example to the vision I have in my head.

 

[white95]

Deal made to paint bumpers, grille and splitter.