Expedition Dave
Full Access Members
Been watching a lot of supension videos lately as I struggle for a little more lift while perusing the King/ICON/Rough Country choices. I wanted to learn the good and the bad.
Some of the below may be a bit pedestrian for you folks with more suspension knowledge, but I figured the more I know, the better.
YMMV
Specs for fronts Bilstein height adjustables compression/extension lengths:
Expy Bilstein 5100 : 16.10 / 20.95 (MAx Lift on G4s is 1.6 inch)
F150 Bilstein 5100 : 16.91 / 22.46 (Max Lift on G4s is 2-3* inches)
What I did learn was the reason my control arms touch the coil is due to the Bilstein F150 5100 shocks allow for more downward droop due to them being 1.50 inches longer.
I can also see where they gain .81 of an inch in lift (though I only gained .4 of an inch over the Expy shocks) and I suspect this may limit upward travel.
Now, I do not treat my Expedition like a Ford Raptor, and while I have lifted a front wheel off-roading I never felt it to be any problem.
New upper control arms would alleviate this, and allow for even more droop. However...
1) I do not know at what point the droop will be too much for the CV/Axle and damage canl occur. Currently, I feel the 'control arm touching coil' reduces the chances of that.
2) I do not know what damage could occur if I hit a bump or obstacle so hard, my suspension bottoms out.
3) I am not sure what "hard stops" the Gen4 suspension components have in the first place. I believe only the shock bodies are holding the suspension from over extension (no bump stops).
4) I have a lot more to learn.
Sources for recent knowledge:
*Not my experience--only got 2 inches of lift*
Some of the below may be a bit pedestrian for you folks with more suspension knowledge, but I figured the more I know, the better.
YMMV
Specs for fronts Bilstein height adjustables compression/extension lengths:
Expy Bilstein 5100 : 16.10 / 20.95 (MAx Lift on G4s is 1.6 inch)
F150 Bilstein 5100 : 16.91 / 22.46 (Max Lift on G4s is 2-3* inches)
What I did learn was the reason my control arms touch the coil is due to the Bilstein F150 5100 shocks allow for more downward droop due to them being 1.50 inches longer.
I can also see where they gain .81 of an inch in lift (though I only gained .4 of an inch over the Expy shocks) and I suspect this may limit upward travel.
Now, I do not treat my Expedition like a Ford Raptor, and while I have lifted a front wheel off-roading I never felt it to be any problem.
New upper control arms would alleviate this, and allow for even more droop. However...
1) I do not know at what point the droop will be too much for the CV/Axle and damage canl occur. Currently, I feel the 'control arm touching coil' reduces the chances of that.
2) I do not know what damage could occur if I hit a bump or obstacle so hard, my suspension bottoms out.
3) I am not sure what "hard stops" the Gen4 suspension components have in the first place. I believe only the shock bodies are holding the suspension from over extension (no bump stops).
4) I have a lot more to learn.
Sources for recent knowledge:
Suspension Spacers - Tech Talk with Mic from Ironman 4x4
If you have followed our Ironvan Toyota Hilux Bush Truck Build series, you would have heard that we briefly discuss suspension spacers in the suspension epis...
www.youtube.com
*Not my experience--only got 2 inches of lift*