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Introduction
Four Wheel Drive (4WD) is an automobile drivetrain designed to allow a vehicle to use all four of its wheels to propel it forward. This system is beneficial for off-road driving, as the power delivery of 4WD gives drivers superior control and traction on difficult terrain. If you are looking to upgrade your four wheel drive vehicle with some extra capabilities, consider investing in an F150 lift. F150 lifts are accessories that modify the height of the vehicle by increasing its ride height. These kits come in two sizes – 4 inch and 6 inch lifts – so once fitted, your F150 can gain an impressive amount of both clearance and articulation.
Advantages of 4 Inch vs 6 Inch Lifts:
When deciding between a 4 inch lift or 6 inch lift for your F150, there are a few key advantages offered by each option that you should take into consideration. A 4 inch lift provides plenty more clearance from obstacles on the road and also increases ground clearance for easier traversing over hills and bumps. On the other hand, a 6 inch lift offers superior articulation when navigating uneven terrain and offers extra suspension travel which helps enhance off-road performance further. However, this larger kit comes with one notable downside; because of the greater distance between tires and axle, you may reduce some available torque; meaning performance could suffer a bit due to increased friction between the rotating parts within the drivetrain system.
Pros and Cons of a 4 Inch Versus 6 Inch Lift
A 4 inch lift on a F150 will provide your vehicle with more ground clearance and a bigger tire size, but you get be limited to 33-inch tires. While you can fit larger tires with a 6-inch lift, they add more weight.
Pros of a 4 Inch Lift:
• Improved ground clearance
• Increased tire size
• Easy to install and cost effective
• Less stress on stock components
Cons of a 4 Inch Lift:
• Limited in tire size choice (max 33 inch)
• The extra height poses the risk for body damage due to the higher center of gravity
Pros of a 6 Inch Lift:
• Increased tire size – up to 35” or larger depending on wheel and suspension setup
• Improved off road performance
• Larger ground clearance over obstacles
Cons of a 6 Inch Lift:
• May require additional suspension components for best ride quality
• Heavier weight due to the tires being bigger than stock offering decreased MPG
• Increased risk for body damage due to even higher center of gravity
Customizing Options Available with 4 and 6 Inch Lifts
F150 trucks are a great vehicle for those who like to customize their rides. When it comes to lifting, there are two popular sizes: 4 inch and 6 inch lifts. Each size lift offers different benefits and has its own advantages and disadvantages.
A 4 inch lift will usually provide the truck with greater ground clearance than stock height while still maintaining a good look. With a 4-inch lift, you will get more clearance for off-road adventures and be able to fit larger tires. You won’t need to invest in heavy duty suspension components or specialized alignment tools as with a 6-inch lift but may slightly reduce the turning radius of your F150 due to being higher overall.
A 6-inch lift is a larger option that provides more ground clearance but requires more modifications than the smaller lift kits. Many specialized parts such as custom alignment tools and springs/shocks, sway bars, steering parts, wheels, axles and brakes may need to be installed to make sure everything is aligned correctly and safe for driving down the road. Despite these needs, you can choose from wider tire sizes and increased ground clearance for those off-roading trips of your dreams that require extreme conditions; all with an imposing stance on your F150 truck!
Potential Pitfalls of a 4 or 6 Inch Lift
A 4 or 6 inch lift on an F150 can give you a lot of benefits, but there are potential drawbacks as well. With a 4 inch lift, the ride will be slightly harsher compared to stock but depending on proper suspension setup and components, the ride quality should remain relatively close to factory. With a 6 inch lift however, you will notice stark differences in the ride quality as compared to when it was stock. Depending upon what components are used and how they are tuned, you may experience more body roll and suspension sag than with just a 4 inch lift. This can mean more body roll during hard turns, which is not conducive for high speed cornering due to stability issues. Additionally, with a 6 inch lift, it is important to make sure all of the components used have been engineered for that size of a lift or else problems may arise. This includes making sure the coils and shocks are both built for use in tandem with a 6 inch lift, eccentrics need to be installed correctly with fillable extra spacers needed at times, brake lines will require extending since the new height increases stopping distance though that depends on whether longer lines are included with your kit..
Cost Breakdown for Parts and Labor for Installing 4 and 6 Inch Lifts
F150 4 Inch Lift:
Parts: The typical cost for the necessary parts to perform a four inch lift on a Ford F150 can vary significantly, depending on which model year your vehicle is and other specific details. Generally speaking, however, the parts alone will cost you around $1,250 – $1,800.
Labor: When it comes to labor costs associated with installing a four inch lift in an F150, you can expect to pay anywhere from $300 – $500. This amount includes having all of the necessary parts installed and adjusted correctly.
F150 6 Inch Lift:
Parts: If you choose to install a six inch lift in your F150, the cost of the parts will run somewhere between $2,000 – $2,500. This is due to needing additional parts such as stabilizer links and longer shocks that must be purchased separately.
Labor: When it comes to labor costs associated with performing a six inch lift on an F150 truck, you can expect to pay anywhere from $400 – $600. This amount would include all of the necessary fitting adjustments as well as any intricate calibrations needed for the installation process.
Safety Considerations When Installing an F150 Lift
When deciding between an F150 4-inch and 6-inch lift, safety is the main concern. A 4-inch lift may be better for most types of terrain, since it does not increase the height of the truck as much, providing a more comfortable ride. Moreover, this type of lift allows for greater payload capacity as it does not negatively affect the truck’s center of gravity as much as a higher lift would. On the other hand, a 6-inch lift provides added ground clearance, which allows drivers to tackle steep and rocky terrains with ease. While this amount of lift may be necessary in certain conditions, it requires additional safety precautions to prevent rolling or flipping over when driving over uneven surfaces at high speed. Before installing any kind of lift, one must double check that all components are properly tightened and adjusted in order to provide adequate support. Additionally, taking stock of your drive habits should also be considered when choosing your lift size; if you plan on using your truck only around town or on flat roads with mild terrain, a 4-inch lift will suffice while if you’re looking for extreme off-roading capabilities then you might need a larger 6-inch option in order to stay safe.
Alternatives to Installing an F150 Lift
If you have an F150 and are looking to give it a higher-riding, more aggressive appearance, you may be considering installing a lift. But lifting your F150 isn’t always the best or most economical idea. While a 4 inch or 6 inch lift will create the look you’re after, you may find that it can negatively affect the handling and ride of your vehicle, as well as potentially voiding any factory warranties.
One alternative to consider is using a leveled suspension system instead. Such systems raise your vehicle’s front end just enough to provide improved ground clearance for larger tires (and maintaining better performance than traditional spacer lifts). Even with 2-3 inches of lift in the front, your drive will remain true, without interference from wheel travel or axle problems that can come from installing a full lift kit. Other alternatives include adding spacers to increase performance without sacrificing ride quality, as well as purchasing aftermarket wheels and tires with wider wheel wells and larger lugs respectively in order to accommodate your increased clearance needs.
Conclusion
Ultimately, the choice is up to you as to which F150 lift is right for you. Both 4 inch and 6 inch lifts offer certain advantages and disadvantages. The 4 inch lift can provide more clearance than stock while still not compromising ride quality or on-road comfort, while a 6 inch lift can provide greater ground clearance and off-road capability. If you are looking just for an increase in ground clearance and better looks, then the 4 inch lift may be a better option. If you plan on doing more serious off-roading, a larger 6 inch lift might better serve your needs. But no matter which one you choose, it’s important to remember to do your research ahead of time and make sure that the components are compatible with your specific vehicle before starting the installation process.
