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Introduction
If you are looking to uplift the look of your Ford F150 pick-up truck, then you may have been considering either a 4 or 6 inch lift. Both lifts serve the purpose of making your vehicle appear higher off of the ground while giving it an overall edgier and tougher look. However, there are differences between a 4 inch lift and a 6 inch lift in terms of cost, materials used, performance, and overall aesthetics. When both kits include all necessary parts for their respective installations, the cost for each would vary depending on quality and brand. The 4 inch kit would cost less than the 6 inch lift as more material is required for the latter. Furthermore, some components for both lifts are constructed differently as there are more components involved in producing enough clearance with a 6 inch kit than with a 4 inch lift.
The choice between both packages may be based upon specific visual appeal and intended use such as off-roading or highway driving. Generally speaking, those seeking a more traditional style that still has flexibility with higher clearance while keeping their lifted suspension setup minimal should opt for the 4 inch kit option; whereas those wanting bigger tires along with better agility when traversing inclines and declines should consider going with the larger 6-inch lifted kit option.
Deciding which lift best suits your needs is ultimately up to you – after considering key performance outcomes and aesthetic preferences – but will certainly transform your F150 into something far more eye-catching that is sure to turn heads wherever you drive it!
Definitions
A lift is an automotive upgrade that raises the height of a truck or SUV from its factory settings. It’s not necessarily just one component, but generally uses different parts to create a higher center-of-gravity and can include lifted springs, spacers, and shocks. The main purpose of a lift kit is to increase ground clearance for offroading and to level out the truck when towing items with a trailer.
In terms of an F150 model pickup truck, lifting will affect its height, weight distribution, fuel economy, off-road capability and handling. A 4-inch lift will give a noticeable change in the ride height while keeping it relatively leveled as compared to stock on an F150 model. It also provides more overall clearance that could give better maneuverability when taken off road. However, this amount of clearance puts additional strain on the suspension components which may cause uneven tire wear over time; replacing shocks at regular intervals is important in maintaining their performance levels.
Conversely, a 6-inch lift provides much more clearance than a 4 inch as it allows for bigger tires, making it ideal for extreme offroading with more obstacles such as rocks, stumps and brush. With this much increased height, torsional rigidity drops significantly when compared to stock and so does performance – both on road acceleration & handling are degraded due to the heavier load on the suspension system and extra strain put on transmission components. Plus the added strain means you get worse fuel economy due to higher drag angles between heavy parts due to the taller frame & components compared with standard frame size . Overall ,a 6 inch F150 lift kit can provide an unbelievable transformation by completely changing your vehicle’s look; however they may come at relatively expensive prices while offering poorer performance levels so they should be thought through carefully before considering them as an option
Cost Comparison
The cost of a 4 inch lift for an F150 varies between $500 and $3,500. This cost includes the purchase of all parts required for the lift such as brackets, shocks, springs and any other necessary parts. It is also necessary to factor in installation labor which can range from $200 – $1,000 depending on the type of shop you choose to install it in and the experience of the mechanic.
A 6 inch lift for an F150, on the other hand, is typically more expensive due to the number of additional modifications required for a successful installation. Depending on what accessories you want to add along with the lift such as extended cab diamond plate rocker guards or new tires, the final cost can range anywhere from $3,000 – $8,000. In addition to buying all parts and getting them installed professionally (which usually runs between $1,000 and $5,000), you’ll need to pay extra if your vehicle requires steering extension kits or longer brake lines. All of this should be factored into your budget before making a purchase decision.
Installation and Maintenance
Installing a 4″ or 6″ lift on an F150 requires special tools. Generally, one will need a jack and jack stands, wrenches and sockets, drill, sledgehammer, and various automotive lifting tools. Typically manufacturers provide instructions as well as hardware kits to complete the job safely.
First off one must start by raising the f150 off the ground in order to get access to all four wheel-wells. After the truck is raised safely and securely with the provided tools; it’s important to remove any of the necessary components (e.g. body parts) that may be blocking access points before proceeding with that actual lift installation process.
For both 4″ and 6″ lifts, it’s required that you drop forward coils or aftermarket Long travel coil springs into place followed by stabilizing brackets for additional support where most kits come with high-tensile steel suspension arms needing bolt on mountings for installation around wheel hubs or axle points.
If opting for a taller levelled build it’s common practice to have an accompanying transmission cooler fitment setup along with brake line relocator brackets . Fitting brakes line can effectively be managed using a properly designed braided stainless steel line providing direct replacement for OEM hydraulic systems – alongside mileage check requirements put in place especially after a few thousand miles driven since lift install date in order to evaluate re torquing of all nuts & bolts necessary during fitting process.
It is important to periodically maintain your lifted F150 if you want it operate at its fullest potential and remain safe while doing so. There are various steps associated with maintaining your lifted vehical; such as regular checking of lubrication points like u-joints axles etc., tire air pressure regularly due to increase in weight placed on suspension system, particularly watching out on dirt roads, rear end alignment reccomendations once every 12 months , frequent torque checks on hardware such as shocks provided plus other steps necessary in prolonging life span of elevated truck frame system suspenion wise
Pros and Cons
A 4″ lift will provide an increase of ground clearance, allowing for larger tires to be installed on the vehicle. It also provides a greater approach angle, meaning there is less chance of bumpers or ground clearing components getting hung up on obstacles when going off-roading. The 4″ lift will also provide a greater suspension travel and may improve the ride quality. However, sometimes an additional 6” of lift will be necessary to clear certain obstacles such as large rocks.
The main disadvantage of a 4″ lift is that it usually compromises the vehicle’s center of gravity, resulting in increased body roll as well as poor handling around corners. You also may find that with increased weight transfer you may experience tire wear faster than expected.
On the other hand, a 6” lift provides substantial ground clearance to clear large obstacles such as large rocks without compromising the vehicle’s centre of gravity quite as much. Plus, there are suspension systems available with improved dampening control which makes handling more manageable around corners. Although this seems great at first glance, 6” lifters can adversely affect steering geometry and steering precision due to the large increase in height and tilt angle between steering wheel and tire interface. Additionally, bigger tires require more power to turn them which can reduce fuel economy and power to the wheels. Finally, costs tend to be higher with 6” lifts due to the complexity of installation and suspension system components required for extra support and durability due to increased loads imposed by larger tires that accompany a 6” Lift kit.
Safety
When selecting a lift kit for your F150, there are important safety considerations to factor in. For a 4″ lift, the suspension is being pushed further away from the body and frame, which can cause increased stress on other components and increase the possibility of metal fatigue. This can lead to shocks and springs wearing out more quickly, as well as increased strain on the ball joints, steering components, and brakes.
For a 6″ lift, significant modifications must be made to various drivetrain and steering parts before it is possible to install correctly. This will require purchasing additional parts like offset steering knuckles or custom drop down brake lines that may not work with all vehicles. A 6″ lift will also cause a wider track width than stock, making it more difficult to fit through some tight spaces.
It is always best to consult an experienced professional when installing any kind of lift kit for your F150. An expert can diagnose whether your vehicle has adequate components needed for a specific lift size or will need alterations or additions that would increase overall safety. Additionally, you should consider the added weight associated with adding aftermarket accessories like wheels and tires – any extra weight affects how each part of the vehicle works together under load and could alter performance significantly when off-roading or driving in difficult terrain. Take your time to research what fits best for your application – you may find great products at much cheaper rates but they may not have been designed with sufficient safety measures in mind.
Resources
When considering a 4 inch lift vs a 6 inch lift for your Ford F150, there are some key differences. One of the main differences is the amount of ground clearance that each provides. A 4-inch lift will give you 1-2 inches more than stock, while a 6-inch lift typically gives you 4-6 inches more than stock. Additionally, with a 4-inch lift you would need to run stock shocks and suspension components whereas a 6-inch kit requires aftermarket equipment in order to have a safe and comfortable ride.
To help decide which option is best for your vehicle, here are some helpful resources and articles:
1. What Type of Lift should I choose? – Four Wheeler Magazine
2. Clearing the Path: A Complete Guide to Lifts – FourWheeler Network
3. 8 Considerations When Choosing an Off-Road Lift Kit – Jp Magazine
4. Why Bigger Isn’t Always Better: Examining The Pros and Cons of Oversized Wheels & Lifts – DrivingLine
5. Understanding The Advantages Of An Off Road Truck Lift Kit – Consumer Reports
6. 6 Key Benefits to Installing a Performance Suspension Lift on Your Pickup Truck – Casterwide
Conclusion
The 4” and 6” lift options for a F150 provide different levels of customization, depending on your needs. A 4″ lift will give you modest gains in ground clearance, some minor body armor modifications, and the ability to modify tire load size. On the other hand, a 6″ lift provides greater ground clearance and up to 33% more protection for underbody components. With either option, you can add additional suspension upgrades or specialized off-roading parts such as fender flares or skid plates. For setup and installation both lifts require some mechanical know-how, however a 6-inch lift requires more time and training due to the extra hardware needed. Maintenance wise, both lifts have similar requirements that include regular oil changes, tire rotation intervals and suspension adjusting when necessary. Ultimately it’s up to what kind of look or performance you’re after that determines which one is right for you – the 4″ kit is lower cost but may lack certain benefits that come with a bigger lift. We recommend researching local shops for assistance with installation and maintenance procedures before making any commitments so that customers know exactly what they’re getting into.
