It has been about a year since Ford redesigned its F-150 for the 2009 model year, replacing the already excellent 2004-08 trucks. As F-150 owners upgrade to the current model, the market is starting to see an influx of old trucks, making them more plentiful and affordable. When Ford introduced the last-gen F-150 in 2004, it was a benchmark in quality, especially in the interior and exterior designs. The platform has proven to be solid and offers a great foundation for a build-up. So whether you are considering an upgrade to your '04-'08 F-150, or looking to pick one up in the used truck market, Pro Comp has an exceptional suspension system for you to consider.
The Pro Comp 6-inch Stage 2 F-150 suspension system includes everything you need to maintain a great ride and to lift your F-150 six inches. This kit is designed to fit 35-inch tires without rubbing. Because the kit was designed with Pro Comp wheels and tires in mind, we went ahead and added them to this build.
Like a typical Pro Comp customer, we headed off to our local 4 Wheel Parts store for a professional installation and alignment on our donor 2004 F-150 SuperCab FX4. Follow along as the hard-working crew at 4 Wheel Parts in Temecula, California, completed the transformation on this F-150 in just one day.
Pro Comp's Stage 2 system...
Pro Comp's Stage 2 system comes with everything you need to lift your F-150 six inches, including front MX2.75c Series coilover shocks and adjustable rear MX-6 monotube shocks. To ensure impressive ride quality, the coilovers are specifically valved for this application.
1. With the truck securely...
1. With the truck securely on the rack, we went to work removing the stock wheels and tires to expose the factory suspension. Next, we removed the brakes, knuckles, sway bar, lower control arms, springs, and shocks, in addition to the front subframe's forwardmost crossmember.
2. In order to install the...
2. In order to install the Pro Comp drop-down brackets, the factory subframe needs to be measured and marked, then notched.
3. Before notching, the front...
3. Before notching, the front driveshaft needs to be disconnected, and the front differential needs to be dropped out of the way. After the notch is cut, we cleaned up the surface before moving on.
4. The kit includes these...
4. The kit includes these power steering rack spacers that lift the rack up for proper geometry with the knuckles.
5. With the steering rack...
5. With the steering rack secured, we moved on to installing the differential drop-down brackets. We then lifted the front differential in to place and bolted it in.
6. Pro Comp's drop-down crossmembers...
6. Pro Comp's drop-down crossmembers are designed with ruggedness in mind, featuring construction from 3/16-inch steel. Here, the front crossmember is put into place.
7. This laser-cut template...
7. This laser-cut template ensures that holes for the front suspension's rearmost crossmember are drilled in the right place. With those holes drilled, the rear crossmember was lifted into place and secured.
8. To adapt the coilovers...
8. To adapt the coilovers to mount in the F-150 factory spring location, specially designed coil spring hats were mated to the coilovers. With the hats in place, the coilovers were mounted in the factory coil bucket.
9. Next, the stock lower control...
9. Next, the stock lower control arms were reinstalled, this time to the Pro Comp drop-down crossmembers. At this point, the coilovers were also mounted to the control arms.
10. We then assembled the...
10. We then assembled the strut rods and mounted them to the vehicle using the supplied strut rod brackets. These help to stiffen the front subframe against hard impacts.
11. In this photo you can...
11. In this photo you can see a clear difference between the factory steering knuckle and the new Pro Comp knuckle. Prepping the Pro Comp knuckle is as easy as transferring the factory hub assembly over to the new knuckle. The Pro Comp knuckles were then installed to the factory control arms, tie rods and axles, while the brake lines were routed.
12. With the front suspension...
12. With the front suspension nearly complete, we re-installed the front driveshaft, checking for clearance against the new drop-down crossmember. We also reinstalled the front sway bar, using the drop-down mounts included in the kit.
13. To complete the front...
13. To complete the front end, the braking system was reinstalled and the bolts were torqued to spec and rechecked.
14. At the rear of the truck,...
14. At the rear of the truck, we unbolted the parking brake cable and installed the supplied relocation bracket.
15. The rear shocks were removed,...
15. The rear shocks were removed, and the axle was dropped from the spring pack by unbolting the factory U-bolts. With the lift blocks and rear MX-6 shocks installed, we tightened the U-bolts to spec.
16. The MX-6 shock is unique...
16. The MX-6 shock is unique in the aftermarket because it is both a monotube and adjustable shock. Adjustments are as easy as turning the external knob on the shock.
17. Pro Comp included the...
17. Pro Comp included the optional two-piece stainless steel front skidplate, which looks great and offers protection to the front driveline. It is easily installed to the existing kit.
18. We also received the Accu...
18. We also received the Accu Pro speedometer calibrator from Pro Comp, which makes re-calibrating your electronic speedo as easy as plugging in to your OBD-II port, while step-by-step onscreen instructions guide you through the quick process.
19. As with any suspension...
19. As with any suspension system install, it is important to have it professionally aligned before hitting the street (or trail). This preserves ride and handling, as well as tire life.
How It Works
Immediately after the install, we drove the truck back to its owner (over an hour and a half away), which gave us a great impression of ride quality over several road types, as well as handling at highway speeds. We walked away impressed with the ride, which felt superior to stock over most types of pavement. We encountered no rubbing issues, and the truck was very stable at highway speeds. The A/T Extremes delivered the promise of an aggressive tread while delivering a smooth and quiet ride.
After a couple of thousand miles and a camping trip under his belt, the owner of the truck tells us that the first and biggest thing he notices is that the truck is really smooth now. He is amazed at the traction of the tires in the dirt, and how little noise they have on the road. He tells us that the new, higher center of gravity is noticeable in higher-speed turns, but he also tells us that he quickly adjusted to it and doesn't consider it an issue. He says that in addition to the "awesome ride," the truck is a head-turner now-even here in Southern California, where lifted trucks are as common as Priuses.
Wheel And Tire Choice
We went with Pro Comp's Series 28 wheel in gloss black, but it is also available in flat black and chrome. While we chose the 17x8.5 sizing with 4.75 inches of backspacing, the Series 28 is available to fit most popular tucks and SUVs in a variety of sizes. Pro Comp's Series 28 was developed with the wheeler in mind and not only looks great with the integrated beadlock look, but also has a thicker outside lip to better deal with hard impacts, such as rocks. Our particular wheel also sported a 2,200-pound load rating. Pro Comp backs these wheels with a lifetime structural warranty.
Our tire choice was the directional Pro Comp Xtreme A/T. Fitting in to a newer category of aggressive all-terrain tires, the Xtereme A/T is designed with state-of-the-art technology to be quiet and smooth on the road, while offering great wet traction; thanks to its Tri-Ply construction, it is tough on the trail, too. Pro Comp backs the Xtreme A/T with a 40,000-mile tread wear warranty. We chose the 35x12.50R17, which was the recommended size for the lift we used.