F150 RCSB suspension

[25silvertnk]

Hey all, just picked up my 25’ 5.0 RCSB coming from the Offroad game for most of my truck life I’m struggling on finding the equivalent on suspension quality to lower my truck with, example with king shocks being top tier, I’ve heard so-so things about IHC and other companies just wanting to hear opinions about who the leader is in the industry. Thanks! Still new to the lowering game -JT

Sponsored

 

[GK150]

Ridetech has a good kit, mostly positive reviews. They use Fox single adjustable shocks and coilovers and their setup allows height adjustment via the coilivers up front and a four position leaf spring shackle in the rear. I just put a Ridetech kit on mine and the ride is better than stock in my opinion. What I don't like is the spherical mounts for the shocks and coilovers. I'm not sure how well those will stay rattle free but Ridetech will send new ones when the time comes.

There are a few companies using Viking shocks and coilovers in their kits...VAS, UMI, Keltrac. These all have double adjustable dampening and are more race oriented. IHC also uses these in their performance kit I believe. The Viking shocks and coilovers normally use spherical mounts but Keltrac offers poly bushing mounts as an option.

QA1 has kits with their shocks and coilovers in single and double adjustable flavors. Most of their mounts are poly I believe, not sure if they offer spherical mounts. These kits are fairly new and I haven't seen any feedback on them.

All have their pros and cons, and what is best depends somewhat on your use and preferences. You seem really interested in the shocks/coilovers and that's the focus of my post, but there are some differences in the other hard parts. That said I don't think you can go wrong with any of them.

One thing to keep in mind, some kits don't come with front UCAs to help correct camber/caster but you'll likely want them if you drop more than 2" up front. For what it's worth I installed Ridetech without their arms and had planned another solution that didn't work out. For now I just maxed out the factory adjustment and ended up with 1.3/1.2 negative camber at about a 3" drop. I will probably order the IHC adjustable UCAs for mine.

 

[513Mugsy]

Ridetech all the way.

Buy once, cry once...

 

[EL5_Zero]

I opted for the IHC 3/5 drop performance kit. Out of the box it's very similar to the other kits out there. I did however modify the kit to fit my needs and what I consider a great ride. Here's a link to my review with the modifications I made.

IHC 3/5 Performance Lowering Kit on 2024 RCSB | F150gen14 -- 2021+ Ford F-150, Tremor, Raptor Forum (14th Gen) | News, Owners, Community, Discussions

Just keep in mind, if you decide to lower the rear 5"+ by flipping the axle, you are left with approx. 3-4" of travel before your axle hits the bump stop/frame. Shock tunning and airbags are a must to keep the rear end happy with the limited travel.

The only way for a lowered truck to look nice, ride nice, and perform without bottoming out, is with a frame C-notch kit. I will eventually install the kit shown in the link below.

4-Link Install on 2021 RCSB F-150 | F150gen14 -- 2021+ Ford F-150, Tremor, Raptor Forum (14th Gen) | News, Owners, Community, Discussions

 

[25silvertnk]

Awesome thanks for all the replies guys, helps a lot, seems like ride tech is a winner, just out of curiosity because money is a factor always, has anyone tried the IHC suspension ride quality kit? I’ve heard mixed things but seems like swapping out the rear shocks for the fox ones makes it ride pretty well, just curious if anyone has any thoughts or just stay away from it with a 10 foot pole. Hah thanks -JT

 

[timnohio]

Awesome thanks for all the replies guys, helps a lot, seems like ride tech is a winner, just out of curiosity because money is a factor always, has anyone tried the IHC suspension ride quality kit? I’ve heard mixed things but seems like swapping out the rear shocks for the fox ones makes it ride pretty well, just curious if anyone has any thoughts or just stay away from it with a 10 foot pole. Hah thanks -JT

I've got a IHC 3/5 ride quality kit. Upgraded shocks to Fox 2.0.
The Fox shocks made a big difference. It still bottomed out going over rough unlevel road so I got the IHC helper bags with the AirLift wirelessone on board compressor. It rides much better now.
No matter what kit you go with and you're the one installing it make sure you follow the instructions exactly how they want it installed.
A lot of people talk about squeaks and or clunks but most of that is not greasing or torquing at the proper time or over torquing. It all has to be done precisely how it's designed.
IHC really isn't that bad of a kit, I'm liking mine.

 

[Dale B]

I used the Ridetech 3/5 kit and couldn’t be happier with the results. I also added the rear swaybar and the airbags that are available with the kit. The swaybar really improves the handling and the airbags help when I am towing or carrying a load. I believe that the airbags even increase my payload above stock levels, although I haven’t pushed it.

 

[spazzyfry123]

Are pinion angles a concern with these trucks when lowering 3/5? 2wd and 4wd.

 

[Dale B]

Are pinion angles a concern with these trucks when lowering 3/5? 2wd and 4wd.

You must check your pinion angle anytime that you raise or lower your suspension. The kits usually contain the proper shims to make adjustments to make sure that you maintain the correct angle when you are installing the kits, or at least the good ones do.

 

[Rinn69]

Awesome thanks for all the replies guys, helps a lot, seems like ride tech is a winner, just out of curiosity because money is a factor always, has anyone tried the IHC suspension ride quality kit? thanks -JT

I believe @Scrambler68 has the IHC "quality ride" on his.

 

[The_Auto_Tech]

Ridetech, 100%. It costs more for a reason.

 

[spazzyfry123]

You must check your pinion angle anytime that you raise or lower your suspension. The kits usually contain the proper shims to make adjustments to make sure that you maintain the correct angle when you are installing the kits, or at least the good ones do.

Of course! Apologies - I meant is it a concern for these trucks if the kits offered do/do not come with what's needed. In other vehicles I've tinkered with, that has been an issue in that it was entirely reliant on having a specialized and knowledgeable installer. Folks would frequently throw shade due to a "difficult" kit.

It seems that everyone points to Ridetech...

 

[Dale B]

Of course! Apologies - I meant is it a concern for these trucks if the kits offered do/do not come with what's needed. In other vehicles I've tinkered with, that has been an issue in that it was entirely reliant on having a specialized and knowledgeable installer. Folks would frequently throw shade due to a "difficult" kit.

It seems that everyone points to Ridetech...

I believe that the shims to adjust pinion angle are easy to find and are not very expensive.
Ridetech is what Shelby uses for their sport trucks.
My 24 RCSB is 4x4 and I have been driving sports cars. I just couldn’t get used to sitting four feet off the ground and needing a step ladder to check the oil. The 3/5 kit made all the difference in the world. I can put stuff in the bed without needing a step stool and can get in the truck by just stepping in. The RCSB doesn’t need to be three feet off the ground to have reasonable ground clearance.

 

[spazzyfry123]

I believe that the shims to adjust pinion angle are easy to find and are not very expensive.
Ridetech is what Shelby uses for their sport trucks.
My 24 RCSB is 4x4 and I have been driving sports cars. I just couldn’t get used to sitting four feet off the ground and needing a step ladder to check the oil. The 3/5 kit made all the difference in the world. I can put stuff in the bed without needing a step stool and can get in the truck by just stepping in. The RCSB doesn’t need to be three feet off the ground to have reasonable ground clearance.

Great to hear. I have other vehicles when we need the ground clearance, so I plan to do the same. I prefer to have a bit more feedback (sports cars here, too) and feel this will accomplish as much for what it is. No offroading, just an occasional gravel road here in the sticks to get where we need to go.

 

[25silvertnk]

Thanks for everyone’s responses and help! Ended up biting the bullet and went with the ridetech kit couldn’t be happier, truck drives phenomenal, again thank you to everyone and helping finalize my choice. -JT

Sponsored