Sean P. Holman
Contributor
Photographers:
Courtesy Of Pro Comp
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.
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.
