2006 Ford F150 - Custom Lifted Truck

We teamed up with Street Scene Equipment to build an F-150 with a lifted look. Of course, it doesn't hurt to have some 4x4 functionality, too, which is why we tapped Fabtech for a 6-inch 4WD '04-'06 F-150 Performance System lift kit and asked Off Road Unlimited to install it. That lift would give our pickup just the right vertical attitude. This is a pretty straightforward lift that will look familiar to folks who like to nudge their truck's stature a bit higher. The difference between this kit and previous versions is primarily in the shocks, in that this kit uses the Dirt Logic 2.5 coilovers in the front. Plus, we added an air leveling system from Air Lift, used Randy's Ring & Pinion and Mag-Hytec parts to change the differential gear ratio and differential cover, and then added Nitto tires and Weld wheels.

We'll start with the mods done to the front and then move toward the rear. Check it out, and if you're interested in changing the looks and functionality of your Ford, give these companies a call.

Obviously, the truck's wheels and tires have been removed and taken to wherever it is that factory components go to die. Alfredo began to dismantle the rest of the front-end's suspension. Here, you see him pull off the sway bar. Then, it was time to remove the front lower control arm frame and banish that piece, too.
Obviously, the truck's wheels and tires have been removed and taken to wherever it is that
Alfredo walked around to the outside of the vehicle, disconnected the brake lines, removed the front calipers and rotors, and broke loose the upper ball joint so he could push aside the spindle and get to the shocks and springs to pull them out.
Alfredo walked around to the outside of the vehicle, disconnected the brake lines, removed

After removing the lower A-arms and cutting the factory mount for the A-arms, Alfredo lifted Fabtech's drop bracket into place and bolted it tight to the factory lower control arm frame mounts. Next, he bolted the factory A-arms onto the drop bracket.
After removing the lower A-arms and cutting the factory mount for the A-arms, Alfredo lift
After installing the Fabtech lift spindles, Alfredo put the brake components back into place, bolted in Dirt Logic 2.5 adjustable coilovers, secured the spindles into the upper ball joint, and installed the CV axle spacer. Now, the front was pretty much finished.
After installing the Fabtech lift spindles, Alfredo put the brake components back into pla

A driveshaft spacer made up for the practical length which was sacrificed by the increased angle of the driveshaft. Brakeline extenders tackled a similar issue for the rear brake system.
A driveshaft spacer made up for the practical length which was sacrificed by the increased

A driveshaft spacer made up for the practical length which was sacrificed by the increased angle of the driveshaft. Brakeline extenders tackled a similar issue for the rear brake system.
A driveshaft spacer made up for the practical length which was sacrificed by the increased

Air Lift helper airbags provided load-leveling functionality for the rear suspension. Off-Road Unlimited began with Air Lift's Ride Control 59544 leaf-spring leveling kit, but had to modify it to fit the way we needed it to. So, we ended up using the air bags and making one-off mounting brackets that included an innovative quick-release pin that disconnected the 'bags from the springs. This allowed the suspension to droop without stressing the air bags for when the vehicle was not resting on the ground.
Air Lift helper airbags provided load-leveling functionality for the rear suspension. Off-

Alfredo popped off the diff covers and swapped the factory gear setup for a 4.10 ratio, thanks to the necessary parts from Randy's Ring & Pinion, and bolted on a Mag-Hytec Ford 12-9.75 differential cover. This cover holds more fluid and offers interesting features such as a magnet-filled dipstick tube and a drain plug that keep metal shavings away from your gears.
Alfredo popped off the diff covers and swapped the factory gear setup for a 4.10 ratio, th
After all was said and done, some 35x12.50R20 Nitto Mud Grapplers and 20x10-inch Weld Racing Cheyenne 6 wheels were put onto the pickup. This combination gave us the aggressive look we were going after, and the Nitto tires will help us when playing around in the dirt, too.
After all was said and done, some 35x12.50R20 Nitto Mud Grapplers and 20x10-inch Weld Raci

YOUR QUESTIONS ANSWERED

Time Spent Working	10 hours
Mechanical Difficulty	Intermediate
Tools Needed:	Socket set, wrenches, Sawzall, and basic handtools


PARTS USED:
Air Lift Ride Control air leveling, PN 59544	$265
Fabtech 6-inch 4WD 2004-06 F-150 Performance System, PN K2003D	$2,995
Mag-Hytec Ford 12-9.75 differential cover	$250
Nitto Mud Grappler Extreme Terrain tires, 35x12 PN 50R20LT	$370.99 each
Randy's Ring & Pinion 4.10, YG F9.75-411	$232.56
Weld Racing Cheyenne 6 wheels, 20x10-inch	$677 each

Total Cost	$9,000
(Including parts, labor, and installation materials)

From the Driver SeatAfter getting in the newly lifted F-150, our immediate impression was how much taller the truck felt. Also, the rather loud tire tread noise emitted by the Nitto Mud Grapplers was quite noticable. The company's aggressive tread blocks are perfect for dirt slinging and rock crawling, but all we can say is, you may need to turn up the radio to drown out the buzz of those tires during your daily commute. The truck was previously fit with AMP Research running boards, which are a great addition to any lifted truck. It has a lower gear set of 4.10 and its speedometer has been reset to operate accurately. This truck is a definite head turner wherever it goes, and we could not be more proud of the truck's ride height and handling characteristics. It's not a sports car, but it handles really well. Special thanks to Fabtech's Brent Riley, Off Road Unlimited's Mike Duval, and the crew for the late nights it took to accomplish the lift prior to hitting the SEMA Show.

SOURCE
Air Lift Company Lansing MI	Nitto Tires 6261 Katella Ave., Dept. MMFF Suite 2C Cypress CA 90630
Fabtech Performance Suspensions Dept. TR 1000 Beacon St. Brea CA 92821	Off Road Unlimited www.offroadunlimited.com
Ford Motor Company Customer Relationship Center P.O. Box 6248 Dearborn, MI 48126	Randy's Ring & Pinion Everett WA 8-66/-631-0196 ringpinion.com
Mag-Hytec	Weld Wheel Industries 6600 Stadium Dr. Kansas City MO 64129 8-006-69.-9353 www.weldracing.com