Seriously considering the Ironman4x4 3” Kit

[DHBPhoto]

Some background:

I’ve been running Fox 2.5s for 60k+ miles. I’ve had my fair share of issues with them (hose failures, rear shock seizure x2, Fox taking forever to rebuild, etc). I’ve also never really liked the way they ride, so much so I’ve had them custom valved, and even dropped in lighter springs up front. Anyway, the rear rend has seized up again — technically, they just don’t go through their whole travel. I’m honestly over them.

I’ve bought a handful of items from Ironman4x4 over the years and have been impressed by every one of them. So much so, that I’m strongly considering their 3” IM2.5 Suspension lift kit.

https://www.ironman4x4.com/products/3-im-2-5-suspension-lift-kit-ford-f-150-2021-for015km3" IM2.5 Suspension Lift Kit for Ford F-150 (2021+)

Wondering if anyone has any real world experience with this lift kit. I’ll go with the med rear springs and might do airbags for my 6k lbs (650lbs tongue weight) travel trailer.

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[MyRed2022]

The single review for that kit isn’t very encouraging.

 

[DHBPhoto]

The single review for that kit isn’t very encouraging.

Yeah, but I feel he doesn’t really know what he’s talking about. There’s more to a suspension lift than making the eye to eye of a strut 3” longer. It’ll probably be longer, sure, but the wheel is much further out from the suspension (maybe 2:1 ratio — that’s a blind guess), so really it only needs to be 1.5” longer if the shock compression and spring rates were identical. I’m not a truck suspension specialist, but Ironman makes suspension for all kinds of rigs, so I would assume they’d get the lift amounts right.

My concern is more about ride quality than anything. Then product durability and craftsmanship.

 

[AR.223]

Installing the foam cell kit now, I’ll get back here when done. I’m slow and still need to order new tires. Btw, I went with med load springs. Front is done, back is torn apart now,

 

[rawfuls]

Interesting that you hate the Fox 2.5 DSC's, I was considering that and the Bilstein 8112s.
I'm leaning towards the 8112 due to the service intervals being too short for my liking; though may wait until the front 8112 DSA's come out (rear 8100 DSAs are available now).

 

[DHBPhoto]

Interesting that you hate the Fox 2.5 DSC's, I was considering that and the Bilstein 8112s.
I'm leaning towards the 8112 due to the service intervals being too short for my liking; though may wait until the front 8112 DSA's come out (rear 8100 DSAs are available now).

Sorry, should have clarified: I have the non dsc kit (the silver and black). But talk to anyone: the rebuild process is a nightmare.

 

[DHBPhoto]

Bought the kit. Will let you all know once it’s installed. Might be a little while though— I want to do tires at the same time and I have a few cross-country tows to make to wear out the last bit of tread on my current tires.

 

[ChrisBaja]

While I don't have the full kit, I have the the IM2.5 rear shocks on for over 5000 miles now, and have driven all the horrible roads in Alaska with them and they are killer!

As soon as we are back in the lower 48 I will be getting the rest of the kit for sure.

 

[AR.223]

My foam cell kit is finished, kinda, totally over look and didn’t think of the compatibility of oem wheels and the new upper control arms. It’s big no go! The tire makes contact with the arm while turning. My only choice I guess now is wheels spacers. Just bought these wheels so new wheels isn’t an option.

few things to add for those doing the full kit. The ubolts were on the long side. I chose not to use the factory block and had to cut off 2.25” to be able to get a deep socket on them. Even if you did use the factory block, there would be a good amount of thread hanging down. Also, with the medium rear springs I ended up with a good amount of rake without the block anyhow

 

[honda250xtitan]

If you didnt like the fox ride quality, you'll love the ironman stuff. it should be setup on the opposite end of the ride quality spectrum. Just remember, you have x amount of travel. if you lift it, youre taking away from down travel. which is what kills ride quality on IFS. "extended travel" shocks are great but it's adding 1" MAX. so when we stick these shocks at 3" of lift, and only have 8" of total suspension travel.....not alotta down travel left.

 

[DHBPhoto]

While I don't have the full kit, I have the the IM2.5 rear shocks on for over 5000 miles now, and have driven all the horrible roads in Alaska with them and they are killer!

As soon as we are back in the lower 48 I will be getting the rest of the kit for sure.

Amazing! Pulled the trigger. I have the rears in hand, but am waiting for the rest of the kit to arrive. I have about 40% left of tread on the tires... so just waiting for a good deal on tires and then it's off the the shop for a full upfit.

 

[DHBPhoto]

My foam cell kit is finished, kinda, totally over look and didn’t think of the compatibility of oem wheels and the new upper control arms. It’s big no go! The tire makes contact with the arm while turning. My only choice I guess now is wheels spacers. Just bought these wheels so new wheels isn’t an option.

few things to add for those doing the full kit. The ubolts were on the long side. I chose not to use the factory block and had to cut off 2.25” to be able to get a deep socket on them. Even if you did use the factory block, there would be a good amount of thread hanging down. Also, with the medium rear springs I ended up with a good amount of rake without the block anyhow

What are the fronts set to? I will be maximizing the lift on the fronts and tossed out my rear blocks. Would you be open to parting ways with your blocks? Happy to buy them off you.

 

[DHBPhoto]

If you didnt like the fox ride quality, you'll love the ironman stuff. it should be setup on the opposite end of the ride quality spectrum. Just remember, you have x amount of travel. if you lift it, youre taking away from down travel. which is what kills ride quality on IFS. "extended travel" shocks are great but it's adding 1" MAX. so when we stick these shocks at 3" of lift, and only have 8" of total suspension travel.....not alotta down travel left.

That's a good point. I will say hit hard compression with the fox's (and custom rear pack) felt as if the rear end is going to make me do a front flip. Even after custom valving the rear, it has always been bad.

 

[AR.223]

What are the fronts set to? I will be maximizing the lift on the fronts and tossed out my rear blocks. Would you be open to parting ways with your blocks? Happy to buy them off you.

Fronts are still set as they came from Ironman. So maybe 2.5-3”. I didn’t have a good base line to start from due to removing a ridetech 3/5 kit prior to using this kit.

Pm me your address and I’ll just send you my blocks no charge. I’ll never use them.

 

[DHBPhoto]

Just got the kit installed. Getting an alignment now….

first impressions:
- build quality is top notch!
- ride quality is great. Small bump compliance is amazing and the big whoops at freeway speeds felt more even front to rear. Will be romping rough Colorado mountain roads tomorrow and Friday. Update to come!
- ride height is roughly 1.5” higher in the rear with the factory block. I will give it 500 miles or so to settle, and if it doesn’t, I will most likely pull the blocks. Even with 2 electric motos (~350lbs), the back only squats about 1/2”. I installed the med springs.
- will tow with my installed airbags Saturday. I installed 5000lbs with the RC cradle system. Will update about this too.

Overall, I’m kind of mad at myself for waiting so long to make this switch from Fox. Obviously, I’ve only driven from my shop to the dealership (20 miles), but even in that short distance the difference is HUGE!

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