Lowering 1st gen 4wd...

[CdnCory]

Just to make sure..

From reading old posts seems that 2" is all that you would want to lower a 4wd? and does anyone have pics of a 1st gen lowered 2"?

Thx, Cory

 

[BigBadWimp]

In addition, I've heard that the ride quality gets rather poopy when you lower a first gen. How poopy does it get?

 

[CdnCory]

anyone?

 

[Drewfus04]

I just don't understand why you'd want to lower a 4x4. 4x4=offroad. You lower cars/vehicles that you don't take offroad camping/wheeling.

 

[boominXplorer]

yes all you can do is a 2'' drop due to the front diffy hittign the oil pan if it was any lower. They make drop coils for the front and you can use 2'' blocks in the back. Let me find a pic

 

[kenr74]

Yep, I want to see a pic too. I just can't imagine lowering a 4x4 though.

 

[CdnCory]

Why lower my 4x4? because that what I have. I got a good deal on it, so I wasnt gonna let it pass just cuz it was 4wd. Plus its nice to have 4wd around here in the winter.

 

[boominXplorer]

NICE59FORDF100's truck - Its still under construction as he got it as basically a beater. I think when he gets it repainted with soem nice wheels and tires it will look REALLY good!

 

[huskyfan23]

Convert to 2wd if you wanna lower it. I'm pretty sure you'll hate the ride with either.

 

[Anime]

go low

You can't really lower a 1st Gen 4WD that much because the limited travel of the TTB up front would have it riding on the bump stops, and as mentioned, the oil pan is also in the way.

Eibach makes a coil spring kit for the front that goes right in and lowers from 1.5-2" depending on trim level, weight, options, etc. Have the rear springs de-arched (or just get a drivers side spring from another '91-94 and install it on the passenger side, plus you can remove the load sping from both packs for a lower height and softer ride). Some have shaved some material off the front bumpstops to get slightly more suspension travel before it bottoms out, but you want to be sure there is enough material that the TTB will NEVER hit the oil pan. Be sure to add some quality shocks with this mod. You might also want to install a polyurethane bushing kit, at least for the swaybars, or just upgrade to the thicker swaybars to go with the lowered look. Oh yeah, and larger wheels too.

 

[kenr74]

Well check these out. I guess it doesn't look too bad but I still can't imagine dropping a 4x4.

http://www.cardomain.com/memberpage/155893/2

http://www.cardomain.com/memberpage/157129


There are a bunch of them if you search Cardomain.com

 

[Drewfus04]

Lowering a 4x4 for winter use is asking for trouble.

 

[urbanistic]

Let the man lower his ride! LOL Im interested in lowering the front an inch. Those hydros dont look too bad either on car domain hehehe

 

[CdnCory]

Is there anyone on these forums that has driven a lowered 1st gen 4x4? I mean, how bad can it be?

 

[draft]

Worse than you think. Honestly. I have a 4/3 lowering on my 98 2WD, and I've stressed the suspension as far a I could go without bags, and it rides like junk for the most part. 4WD is different and doesn't take lowering as well as 2WD, so you will notice a difference, especially with the infamous I-beam Ford front suspension.

Your call.

 

[danlong]

Draft, don't forget that you're using a torsion bar suspension, not coil springs. As long as you keep enough travel, and use a quality spring rather than hacking up a stock one, it should ride OK.

 

[urbanistic]

From what I understand, you also need to replace the bumpers to a different type.