My ReadyLift SST 3/2 kit experience thus far 2016 EL Platinum 4x4

[J Ski]

So I'd like to document my experience thus far with ReadyLift's SST 3/2 lift kit for my 2016 EL Platinum 4x4. Great customer service when I ordered over the phone (part # 69-2070).

Arrived in 3 days after order was placed and here is what I got: a front spacer for an F150 and rear spacers for an expedition. Notice that the picture on the box is different shaped spacer than what is in the box?? Wtf. Called them to verify and they said some kits use same parts from other kits which is fine. I have the correct parts.

Now to the instructions and where I ran into issues: somewhere between 2011 and now, the front lower strut mounts changed from a single bolt that slid horizontally through a piece of metal on the LCA to two 2-3" bolts that now slide vertically through the LCA itself. The instructions have not been updated since 2011 for our expeditions, folks. So I removed the strut assembly, installed the spacer, and when I went to reinstall, the strut assembly would not fit back in because the two bolts would not clear the LCA and reseat themselves into their holes. After trying to find a spring compressor (with no luck bc the ones at auto stores won't fit around the size springs we have) I have up and reinstalled factory setup.

After further research, I found that the f150 instructions HAVE been updated for more years up to 2016 and that not only do the two bolts have to be hammered out to clear the LCA and reused but our EPAS also has to be disconnected or risk damaging the electronics inside it and burning it up.

So sometime next week, I will be retrying the install and will update with any further issues found and results. Thanks for letting me go on this rant

 

[ExpeditionAndy]

What is the EPAS? where is it located and what does it do? Do you have to reconnect it afterwards or do you just do without it?

Thanks,

 

[J Ski]

What is the EPAS? where is it located and what does it do? Do you have to reconnect it afterwards or do you just do without it?

Thanks,

EPAS is electronic power assisted steering. It's attached somewhere on the front of the steering column and basically took the place of the hydraulic pump. Here's a good video link: https://owner.ford.com/how-tos/vehi...rt/electric-power-assisted-steering-epas.html

If you DC the actual connector for the EPAS you will definitely need to reconnect it. Another option i was told was just to DC the battery and kill power to whole vehicle while working on it to avoid arcing any of the electronics when striking the suspension components necessary to remove the strut and spring assembly.

 

[ExpeditionAndy]

EPAS is electronic power assisted steering. It's attached somewhere on the front of the steering column and basically took the place of the hydraulic pump. Here's a good video link: https://owner.ford.com/how-tos/vehi...rt/electric-power-assisted-steering-epas.html

If you DC the actual connector for the EPAS you will definitely need to reconnect it. Another option i was told was just to DC the battery and kill power to whole vehicle while working on it to avoid arcing any of the electronics when striking the suspension components necessary to remove the strut and spring assembly.

Thanks, I knew what the Electric Power-Assisted Steering was I just didn't recognize the initials.

 

[Bronco72]

Any updates on this? Would love to hear how it turns out as I am looking to do the same. Thanks!

 

[ranger024x4]

Any updates on this? Would love to hear how it turns out as I am looking to do the same. Thanks!

same!

 

[J Ski]

Any updates on this? Would love to hear how it turns out as I am looking to do the same. Thanks!

Updates will be coming sometime next week. My dad will be helping me with the install since he's got a lift and air tools but he's on vacation for a week. I promise I will post progress pictures and final review once it's on guys.

 

[LokiWolf]

Had this lift on our 15, no issues for the 6 months before it got totaled.

 

[J Ski]

Had this lift on our 15, no issues for the 6 months before it got totaled.

No issues with alignment either?

 

[jeff kushner]

Wow, good thread J.....is helpful to many of us!

jeff

 

[LokiWolf]

No issues with alignment either?

Definitely need an alignment, but it was drivable!

 

[KevinCar]

I have this exact lift in front and back. I got a 4 wheel alignment the next day. Instructions were not the best. I believe they came with 3 different instruction sets... mostly for F-150. i did most of it by myself... but getting it back on the front-end was much easier w/2 people. Taking apart is the easiest. Getting everything back on in the front-end was more interesting... the bolts you are loosening/removing on the front do affect camber... i kept them close to what they were and took it over the next day to get aligned. The ride is a bit more stiff and you do hear it clunk on sharp turns as your struts are now extended. your travel is obviously different and you don't get the same extension before you are fully extended. Overall I like the look and ride isn't horrible...but b/w the new tires and lift is much more stiff.

 

[KevinCar]

On the front, to get around the issue you are having, I believe I completely removed the Lower Control Arm... getting it all back together was a pain. I'm really trying to remember what I did but I believe I put the bottom of the strut through the Lower Control Arm and then used a few jacks to carefully support the bottom of the strut under the control arm as well as get the 2 bolts back in the Arm by lifting and aligning the forks. I went slow on everything. A few YouTube videos shows folks slamming big screwdrivers in and around for leverage...and while i did use some of that to help line up, etc... went slowly to not create any unnecessary collateral damage.

 

[J Ski]

On the front, to get around the issue you are having, I believe I completely removed the Lower Control Arm... getting it all back together was a pain. I'm really trying to remember what I did but I believe I put the bottom of the strut through the Lower Control Arm and then used a few jacks to carefully support the bottom of the strut under the control arm as well as get the 2 bolts back in the Arm by lifting and aligning the forks. I went slow on everything. A few YouTube videos shows folks slamming big screwdrivers in and around for leverage...and while i did use some of that to help line up, etc... went slowly to not create any unnecessary collateral damage.

Thanks for the reply! I plan on just hammering out the two bolts on the lower portion of the strut which should clear without having to remove lower control arm. Worst case scenario I'll loosen it up aonit will sag more but a few f-150 videos I've seen call for hammering out those two bolts and then reinstalling them after putting the strut back in. Will update next week after installation

 

[J Ski]

Had this lift on our 15, no issues for the 6 months before it got totaled.

If you did the install yourself, how did you deal with the two bolts that attach the strut to the LCA? Some f150 videos I've seen say to loosen the LCA bolts and punch out the two bolts in the strut and just reuse them

 

[KevinCar]

Thanks for the reply! I plan on just hammering out the two bolts on the lower portion of the strut which should clear without having to remove lower control arm. Worst case scenario I'll loosen it up aonit will sag more but a few f-150 videos I've seen call for hammering out those two bolts and then reinstalling them after putting the strut back in. Will update next week after installation

Yeah, you may need to loosen so it sags...as even taking out the strut bolts, fitting it in, and then when you put the bolts back in, it may be at too much of an angle without the strut being compressed. I would agree it's ideal to not have to take it apart...I had tried a few different things (except for that) to try and avoid it... but just ended up taking it apart. tightening the control arm back up and getting it back close to the same camber position was tricky as well. I did use pry-bars carefully to get the position i wanted as well as a few awkward positions to hold it in place and tighten those bolts at the same time... It's possible I took a harder approach, except for the approach you described, i felt like i had tried different ways without removing it. I just couldn't quite get the angles i needed to get the strut into the control arm.

 

[ranger024x4]

Any pics of the lift installed?

 

[J Ski]

Any pics of the lift installed?

Not yet my dad is helping me and he's on vacation so maybe get around to it this weekend

 

[J Ski]

Here's a good video of the installation process to follow on a 2016 f150. Exact same method for front 2016 Expedition. *Note that it shows them loosening the LCA and removing the splined bolts. I'll be using this method

 

[J Ski]

Yeah, you may need to loosen so it sags...as even taking out the strut bolts, fitting it in, and then when you put the bolts back in, it may be at too much of an angle without the strut being compressed. I would agree it's ideal to not have to take it apart...I had tried a few different things (except for that) to try and avoid it... but just ended up taking it apart. tightening the control arm back up and getting it back close to the same camber position was tricky as well. I did use pry-bars carefully to get the position i wanted as well as a few awkward positions to hold it in place and tighten those bolts at the same time... It's possible I took a harder approach, except for the approach you described, i felt like i had tried different ways without removing it. I just couldn't quite get the angles i needed to get the strut into the control arm.

Any issues with the upper control arms rubbing or bouncing on the springs?