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Suspension mods for 2WD
- Thread starter The_Auto_Tech
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The_Auto_Tech
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Yeah, Ryobi ordered a small handful of trucks from Ford painted in that color for 2022. They were all spec'd the same.
The_Auto_Tech
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So here's the options I'm looking at:
$2820 - Ridetech coilovers, ihc uppers, ihc relocation, fox shocks, IHC helper bags -
Would use the Ridetech (Fox) coilovers in the front with stock lower control arms, the IHC adjustable upper control arms, IHC rear flip kit that I already have installed, IHC shock relocation kit, shorter Fox shocks instead of the IHC shocks from the flip kit, and IHC helper bags. I would just need to find the stock lower control arms again. This setup would allow use for any size wheel, allow me to stay at the height I currently am, provide the correct front suspension geometry and also be adjustable, and allow for damping adjustment in the front but not the rear.
$2680 - Ridetech full kit with bags -
Would be using Ridetech (Fox) coilovers in the front with Ridetech (Fox) shocks in the rear, Ridetech upper control arms with stock lower control arms, and Ridetech flip kit in the rear (would replace my IHC flip kit). I would just need to find the stock control arms again. This setup would not allow for the shock relocation kit with using the Ridetech shocks and would require purchasing the shorter Fox shocks. This setup would allow for any wheel size, provide the correct front suspension geometry and also be adjustable, and allow front damping adjustment front and rear, but not the rear if the shock relocation kit is used. Also, it would sit higher than what I am currently.
$2450 - D3 with spindles -
Would be using Belltech coilovers in the front with Fox 2.0 rear shocks, stock upper and lower control arms, Belltech drop spindles, Maxtrac rear lift flip (would replace my IHC kit), and IHC load leveling bags. I would just need to find the stock upper and lower control arms again. This setup could use the shock relocation kit, but requires 20" or larger wheels. This setup would allow me to stay at the height I currently am, provide the correct front suspension geometry but no adjustability, and no damping adjustability.
$2655 - Belltech spindles and coilovers, IHC flip kit, IHC shock relocation with fox shocks, IHC helper bags -
Would be using Belltech coilovers in the front with Fox 2.0 rear shocks, stock upper and lower control arms, IHC flip kit that's already installed, IHC shock relocation kit, and IHC helper bag kit. I would just need to find the stock upper and lower control arms again. This setup requires 20" or larger wheels, but would allow me to stay at the height I currently am, provide the correct front suspension geometry but no adjustability, and no damping adjustability.
$2820 - Ridetech coilovers, ihc uppers, ihc relocation, fox shocks, IHC helper bags -
Would use the Ridetech (Fox) coilovers in the front with stock lower control arms, the IHC adjustable upper control arms, IHC rear flip kit that I already have installed, IHC shock relocation kit, shorter Fox shocks instead of the IHC shocks from the flip kit, and IHC helper bags. I would just need to find the stock lower control arms again. This setup would allow use for any size wheel, allow me to stay at the height I currently am, provide the correct front suspension geometry and also be adjustable, and allow for damping adjustment in the front but not the rear.
$2680 - Ridetech full kit with bags -
Would be using Ridetech (Fox) coilovers in the front with Ridetech (Fox) shocks in the rear, Ridetech upper control arms with stock lower control arms, and Ridetech flip kit in the rear (would replace my IHC flip kit). I would just need to find the stock control arms again. This setup would not allow for the shock relocation kit with using the Ridetech shocks and would require purchasing the shorter Fox shocks. This setup would allow for any wheel size, provide the correct front suspension geometry and also be adjustable, and allow front damping adjustment front and rear, but not the rear if the shock relocation kit is used. Also, it would sit higher than what I am currently.
$2450 - D3 with spindles -
Would be using Belltech coilovers in the front with Fox 2.0 rear shocks, stock upper and lower control arms, Belltech drop spindles, Maxtrac rear lift flip (would replace my IHC kit), and IHC load leveling bags. I would just need to find the stock upper and lower control arms again. This setup could use the shock relocation kit, but requires 20" or larger wheels. This setup would allow me to stay at the height I currently am, provide the correct front suspension geometry but no adjustability, and no damping adjustability.
$2655 - Belltech spindles and coilovers, IHC flip kit, IHC shock relocation with fox shocks, IHC helper bags -
Would be using Belltech coilovers in the front with Fox 2.0 rear shocks, stock upper and lower control arms, IHC flip kit that's already installed, IHC shock relocation kit, and IHC helper bag kit. I would just need to find the stock upper and lower control arms again. This setup requires 20" or larger wheels, but would allow me to stay at the height I currently am, provide the correct front suspension geometry but no adjustability, and no damping adjustability.
The_Auto_Tech
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After reading around a bunch of places, and looking at the install instructions and setups I think the plan will just to be to run Ridetech's full setup with their helper bags, traction bars, and sway bar.
I like that the Ridetech traction bars mount above the leaf springs rather than underneath them like all the other brands, so you don't sacrifice any ground clearance, but still have the benefit of a very nice setup. I also like the setup for their helper bags a lot more as well as they come with proper mounting brackets to locate the bag over the center of the axle. The IHC helper bag kit bolts to the frame and sits on top of the back of the leaf spring, and they kind of sit at a funky angle because of that, plus they're pushing on the leaf spring, not the axle. The Ridetech rear sway bar is setup to work on their flip kit as well and not any other brands. I was wanting to run the IHC shock relocation, but due where the Ridetech sway bar bolts onto the axle there isn't room for them and the sway bar brackets it looks like. I haven't heard of any performance or tire fitment "issues" with running the outboard shocks either.
After reading a bunch of reviews on the ride quality of different kits Ridetech was the only kit that nobody ever had anything bad to say about. There were complaints about the IHC kit ride and quality issues with some of their parts. There were similar complaints about the Belltech setups too with ride quality not being great, and that the QA1 shocks have had leaking issues too. I can't run the Belltech setup anyways due to the spindles not clearing less than a 20" wheel. VAS was the other potential recommendation, but a handful of people said they had Belltech to start, went to VAS, and ended up with Ridetech and wouldn't go back. VAS seemed like it was geared much more towards a drag racing setup than a street driven setup.
I like that the Ridetech traction bars mount above the leaf springs rather than underneath them like all the other brands, so you don't sacrifice any ground clearance, but still have the benefit of a very nice setup. I also like the setup for their helper bags a lot more as well as they come with proper mounting brackets to locate the bag over the center of the axle. The IHC helper bag kit bolts to the frame and sits on top of the back of the leaf spring, and they kind of sit at a funky angle because of that, plus they're pushing on the leaf spring, not the axle. The Ridetech rear sway bar is setup to work on their flip kit as well and not any other brands. I was wanting to run the IHC shock relocation, but due where the Ridetech sway bar bolts onto the axle there isn't room for them and the sway bar brackets it looks like. I haven't heard of any performance or tire fitment "issues" with running the outboard shocks either.
After reading a bunch of reviews on the ride quality of different kits Ridetech was the only kit that nobody ever had anything bad to say about. There were complaints about the IHC kit ride and quality issues with some of their parts. There were similar complaints about the Belltech setups too with ride quality not being great, and that the QA1 shocks have had leaking issues too. I can't run the Belltech setup anyways due to the spindles not clearing less than a 20" wheel. VAS was the other potential recommendation, but a handful of people said they had Belltech to start, went to VAS, and ended up with Ridetech and wouldn't go back. VAS seemed like it was geared much more towards a drag racing setup than a street driven setup.
The_Auto_Tech
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Finished the install on my Ridetech 3/5 kit along with their load leveling bags, traction bars, and rear sway bar. Previously had an IHC 4/6 kit.
Biggest issue I had with the IHC kit was that the axle would hit the frame, even with the bump stops removed. Also, the kit rode fairly rough too, I believe a lot of people attribute that to their rear shocks not being very good. I would assume the only way to get the IHC 4/6 kit to not hit the frame with the axle would be to do a step notch on it, but it's pretty surprising that it would still hit the frame even without any bump stops.
Although I liked the stance more with the IHC 4/6 kit, the ride quality really wasn't worth it. The Ridetech setup rides amazing, and the components are MUCH better quality. The IHC kit is good for what it costs, but I definitely would recommend spending the money for the Ridetech setup. While I was doing this install I also power washed and Fluid Film'd the underside of the truck too to protect it from winter here.
Will post pictures once I get the alignment done and let the suspension fully settle in.
Biggest issue I had with the IHC kit was that the axle would hit the frame, even with the bump stops removed. Also, the kit rode fairly rough too, I believe a lot of people attribute that to their rear shocks not being very good. I would assume the only way to get the IHC 4/6 kit to not hit the frame with the axle would be to do a step notch on it, but it's pretty surprising that it would still hit the frame even without any bump stops.
Although I liked the stance more with the IHC 4/6 kit, the ride quality really wasn't worth it. The Ridetech setup rides amazing, and the components are MUCH better quality. The IHC kit is good for what it costs, but I definitely would recommend spending the money for the Ridetech setup. While I was doing this install I also power washed and Fluid Film'd the underside of the truck too to protect it from winter here.
Will post pictures once I get the alignment done and let the suspension fully settle in.
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Rinn69
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@The_Auto_Tech Are you going for the full 3/5 or 2/4 ?
The_Auto_Tech
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3/5. I've got the back set as low as it goes on the rear leaf spring shackles, but the front could still come down quite a bit if I wanted. I just don't want to deal with the rear axle hitting the bump stops or the frame like the IHC 4/6 kit did. From what I read if you do a 6" drop (or more) in the back the frame needs notched, so I'm surprised that IHC doesn't mention that in their kit.
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Any update on how it all settled in? Happy with the results?
The_Auto_Tech
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Rides MUCH better than the IHC kit, just doesn't go as low. Handles MUCH better than the IHC kit as well. I actually am experimenting currently. I just added a 1" Eibach lift (drop) block to the back and lowered the front an inch, so I am probably at about a 4/6 kit using the Ridetech components currently. Going to play with the shock dampening and alignment over the next week and see how it reacts.
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Im glad im not the only one that thinks the IHC is junk. I have the Ride Tech rear kit and bags ready to install this weekend. This will replace the rough and bouncy IHC kit.
My truck was done by a dealer, so I will have to buy some new factory lower control arms to replace the front, but it is going to happen as well.
My truck was done by a dealer, so I will have to buy some new factory lower control arms to replace the front, but it is going to happen as well.
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The_Auto_Tech
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Hmmmmm, maybe add a 4WD system?
I'll see myself out....................
Already did before I bought the second truck.
The_Auto_Tech
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The IHC front kit is definitely a "trick" to re-use the stock springs and shocks, which doesn't exactly help when it's lowered 4", and it really messes with the alignment angles. Unless you have the bags in the back it rides awful as it basically just sits on the bump stops, which you have to completely remove, and then the axle just hits the frame.Im glad im not the only one that thinks the IHC is junk. I have the Ride Tech rear kit and bags ready to install this weekend. This will replace the rough and bouncy IHC kit.
My truck was done by a dealer, so I will have to buy some new factory lower control arms to replace the front, but it is going to happen as well.
I've been driving it for about a week now with the Eibach 1" block added to the back with the Ridetech kit and got it re-aligned. It may end up being too low with the 1" block added. If I hit some pretty good dips it'll hit the bump stops, but there's also only about 2" between the axle and bump stops currently. Also, the bags are pretty folded up too, so I'm sure that's making it ride a little rougher as well. It does look really good, but I'm not sure if it's the reduction in ride quality.
The_Auto_Tech
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Originally when I installed the kit I set it as low as it would go in the rear, and set the front to be slightly lower. One thing I did notice was that if you set the front really low, the springs and washers don't stay in place on the upper mount, and you need someone to hold them in place when loading the suspension back up after raising it. I asked Ridetech if they potentially have an offering for helper springs to keep the front springs in place to prevent having to do that. I already lost one of the Delrin washers on one side since it wasn't sitting properly in the upper spring mount and cracked when setting the front suspension back down. Besides this issue I think the front kit is setup incredibly nice, especially when compared to the IHC kit.
The rear had no issues at all, but the one thing I wanted to try and do was to see if I could lower it any further in the back than the lowest setting on the rear shackle. I ordered a 1" Eibach "lift" block, which when setup on a flip kit would space the axle up another 1" thus lowering the back. The setup did actually end up lowering the back another inch, but the problem I ended up running into was that the spacing on the block pins didn't match the Ridetech kit properly, so the block overhangs the leaf spring shim some. It hasn't caused any issues, but it's not ideal.
The other issue is that it takes enough travel out of the back that the axle hits the bump stop and pretty much ruins the ride. I was able to test this by putting 40PSI in the rear bags to lift it back up 1", and the ride pretty well returned to was it was before adding the lift block. Basically, it made the kit ride like the IHC kit did with the axle hitting the frame, because IHC has you remove the bump stops so that you gain some suspension travel back, but then there's nothing to stop the axle from hitting the frame.
I'll be pulling the rear 1" block out of the back to return the setup back to the normal configuration Ridetech has it setup in. I can deal with it not looking quite as good to get 10x the ride quality back compared to the IHC height. The Ridetech components are extremely well built for sure.
The rear had no issues at all, but the one thing I wanted to try and do was to see if I could lower it any further in the back than the lowest setting on the rear shackle. I ordered a 1" Eibach "lift" block, which when setup on a flip kit would space the axle up another 1" thus lowering the back. The setup did actually end up lowering the back another inch, but the problem I ended up running into was that the spacing on the block pins didn't match the Ridetech kit properly, so the block overhangs the leaf spring shim some. It hasn't caused any issues, but it's not ideal.
The other issue is that it takes enough travel out of the back that the axle hits the bump stop and pretty much ruins the ride. I was able to test this by putting 40PSI in the rear bags to lift it back up 1", and the ride pretty well returned to was it was before adding the lift block. Basically, it made the kit ride like the IHC kit did with the axle hitting the frame, because IHC has you remove the bump stops so that you gain some suspension travel back, but then there's nothing to stop the axle from hitting the frame.
I'll be pulling the rear 1" block out of the back to return the setup back to the normal configuration Ridetech has it setup in. I can deal with it not looking quite as good to get 10x the ride quality back compared to the IHC height. The Ridetech components are extremely well built for sure.
EL5_Zero
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What version of IHC suspension kit where you running? Was it an earlier version that reused the stock front struts? Currently, their website shows a complete kit with QA1 double adjustable 4" coilovers for the front, as well as double adjustable rear shocks. I bought this kit 3 months ago, and yet to install it due to my '24 not arriving yet. I wonder if you would have raised your previous kit to a 3/5 drop, would it have handled better and avoid the axle from hitting the frame. I plan on lowering 3/5 to avoid alignment issues and harsh handling. I'll see if I need the helper bags after some driving.
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