Edwin C Aldredge
Active Member
Picked up the wife's new Stealth Expedition Limited today and installed a 3-2 lift on it pretty much immediately. Yes, I know that this isn't supposed to work. Yes I know ReadyLift says it won't work, but it works. Here's what we did:
Before starting we measured each wheel well and recorded it. I don't have the numbers in front of me, but in the end the lift was NOT 3 in the front or 2 in the back.
Next, we used the iPhone measure app to take an angle measurement on each CCD sensor. We then recorded what we had in order to replicate the factory angles with new adjustable arms from this source:
CCD Brackets: 507-381-4260
Once we had our measurements, we put the truck on lift, pulled the wheels off and got to work.
On the front, we found that the electronic solenoid on the shock was clocked differently once the spacers were attached. I believe we could have fixed this by swapping the left and right shocks, but by the time this occurred to us we had the front buttoned up and were not inclined to undo everything and start from scratch. We did have to fashion a tool from right angle bar stock to attach to the lower ball joint after it was removed from the lower control arm. With a block of wood to take up the gap, we used this as a secure way to leverage the lower control arm down so that the strut assembly could be installed. In the end, the CCD wiring had to be slightly re-routed due to the solenoids being 180 degrees out of their original location, but there appear to be no clearance issues. Still, if you plan on doing this, just plan on switching the left and right shocks out for each other once the spacers are installed.
On the rear, we found that the two spacers each needed one of the lower mounting holes modified because the welds were too long and prevented the nuts from tightening flush to the flange. Easy fix, but be prepared for it. We chose to disconnect the CCD arms, then remove the inside lower control arm bolt as well as the lower shock bolt. This allowed the assembly to drop down enough for the shock / spring assembly to be removed easily. The top 3 nuts holding the shock to the frame mount were NOT as easy as the front ones were. In particular the inside two (especially passenger side due to the fuel lines) were a huge pain in the ass. The installation was straight forward, however, but since the CCD is not supposed to be lifted, no mention was made of the CCD solenoid. While re-installing the first one, we discovered the problem with the solenoid clocked 180 degrees out, so we swapped sides and sure enough everything went back together easily. We just tightened the bolts, settled the suspension, and torqued to spec.
Once the truck was back on the ground we installed the adjustable arms and adjusted them until each sensor was at the same angle as stock. Both front arms required approximately 3/4" of thread to be removed in order to achieve the desired angle, whereas the rear arms required nothing more than adjustment. I found that each complete revolution equaled roughly 1 degree, maybe that will help someone from having to take it on and off as many times as I did.
A quick test drive to check the install and no problems or faults were noted. No warnings from the message center, and the ride was exactly as it had been before. Fantastic.
Tomorrow the wheels and tires will be switched, and I'll see if the offset I got will allow me to push the envelope with 34" tires. If not, we have 33s standing by.....
In the end, this kit DID NOT give me the lift I was hoping for. Up front I netted just over 2" and out back I gained about 1.75" This left me still with a noticeable rake to the front, but I'm hopeful that it will settle some with use and at least be level.
FYI the front spacers (22-6615) that they claim to be the "3" in the 3-2 lift are labeled 2.25" level lift for F150. Yes I confirmed with Ready Lift that this was in fact the correct part for this kit.
All in all this was not difficult so if you are holding off because you have the CCD suspension, DON'T.
Pics tomorrow with the tires. It's late and I need another beer.
Ed
Before starting we measured each wheel well and recorded it. I don't have the numbers in front of me, but in the end the lift was NOT 3 in the front or 2 in the back.
Next, we used the iPhone measure app to take an angle measurement on each CCD sensor. We then recorded what we had in order to replicate the factory angles with new adjustable arms from this source:
CCD Brackets: 507-381-4260
Once we had our measurements, we put the truck on lift, pulled the wheels off and got to work.
On the front, we found that the electronic solenoid on the shock was clocked differently once the spacers were attached. I believe we could have fixed this by swapping the left and right shocks, but by the time this occurred to us we had the front buttoned up and were not inclined to undo everything and start from scratch. We did have to fashion a tool from right angle bar stock to attach to the lower ball joint after it was removed from the lower control arm. With a block of wood to take up the gap, we used this as a secure way to leverage the lower control arm down so that the strut assembly could be installed. In the end, the CCD wiring had to be slightly re-routed due to the solenoids being 180 degrees out of their original location, but there appear to be no clearance issues. Still, if you plan on doing this, just plan on switching the left and right shocks out for each other once the spacers are installed.
On the rear, we found that the two spacers each needed one of the lower mounting holes modified because the welds were too long and prevented the nuts from tightening flush to the flange. Easy fix, but be prepared for it. We chose to disconnect the CCD arms, then remove the inside lower control arm bolt as well as the lower shock bolt. This allowed the assembly to drop down enough for the shock / spring assembly to be removed easily. The top 3 nuts holding the shock to the frame mount were NOT as easy as the front ones were. In particular the inside two (especially passenger side due to the fuel lines) were a huge pain in the ass. The installation was straight forward, however, but since the CCD is not supposed to be lifted, no mention was made of the CCD solenoid. While re-installing the first one, we discovered the problem with the solenoid clocked 180 degrees out, so we swapped sides and sure enough everything went back together easily. We just tightened the bolts, settled the suspension, and torqued to spec.
Once the truck was back on the ground we installed the adjustable arms and adjusted them until each sensor was at the same angle as stock. Both front arms required approximately 3/4" of thread to be removed in order to achieve the desired angle, whereas the rear arms required nothing more than adjustment. I found that each complete revolution equaled roughly 1 degree, maybe that will help someone from having to take it on and off as many times as I did.
A quick test drive to check the install and no problems or faults were noted. No warnings from the message center, and the ride was exactly as it had been before. Fantastic.
Tomorrow the wheels and tires will be switched, and I'll see if the offset I got will allow me to push the envelope with 34" tires. If not, we have 33s standing by.....
In the end, this kit DID NOT give me the lift I was hoping for. Up front I netted just over 2" and out back I gained about 1.75" This left me still with a noticeable rake to the front, but I'm hopeful that it will settle some with use and at least be level.
FYI the front spacers (22-6615) that they claim to be the "3" in the 3-2 lift are labeled 2.25" level lift for F150. Yes I confirmed with Ready Lift that this was in fact the correct part for this kit.
All in all this was not difficult so if you are holding off because you have the CCD suspension, DON'T.
Pics tomorrow with the tires. It's late and I need another beer.
Ed
