[Dantron]

I recently purchased a 2013 F-250 Platinum & I'm wanting to equip 35x12.50x20 Nitto Trail Grapplers and American Force 20x10 Rebel SS8, but I don't want to resort to a 4" complete lift kit. My best option appears to be a Pro Comp 3.5" Nitro level lift, which to my surprise had been confirmed to be a compatible combination of lift/tire/rim by the best 4-Wheel Part Store in my surrounding area. I would very much appreciate if anyone could post some pictures of this combination or something similar, and I am also interested in any thoughts or concerns on using this lifting method and any objection to my rim/tire choice. I will post pictures of my F-250 when my quest is complete!

 

[DSTRBD]

No offense, but you dont want to put that kit on your new 2013 Platinum. You will be MUCH happier with a high quality kit that includes shocks than you will with that cheap spacer lift. You can get by with a 2.5" lift for the wheel/tire combo you want. Icon and Carli both offer several different kits depending on your budget and what you use the truck for. I HIGHLY suggest going this route over the spacer setup. For more clearance and to prevent any trimming or rubbing, 4.5" would be best, but 2.5" will work.

 

[OCVeloMan]

To further Nate's comments, the 35 x 20 trail grapplers are the hardest riding tire on the market. If you're married to the idea of running a 35 on a 20, I would recommend a Toyo Mud Terrain and make sure to keep your pressures in check. I recommend 40psi front and 35psi rear.

 

[Dantron]

DSTRBD & OCVeloMan, thanks for replying. I do appreciate the feedback. I definitely had my worries regarding the Pro Comp level kit as I had no success finding any real reviews except for Pro Comp's own product overview. Also, I couldn't find a single example of a Super Duty with their 3.5" Nitro Level Kit installed.

I addressed my concerns to the manager at 4-Wheel Parts and he assured me this will be a nice set-up. He seems like an honest guy when responding to my wishes for a more reputable manufacturer saying he thought an Icon suspension level kit would be a great choice if I were to be regularly off-roading, but as a Houston city-driver it would be hard to notice a difference. I kept in mind that 4-Wheel Parts will only deal with the vendors they endorse. He also stated that with the 35x12.5 tires and 20x10 rims, I will need that extra inch of the 3.5" Nitro Kit to avoid contact issues.

I then brought up the use of aftermarket shocks and he suggested that installing Bilsteins would be great idea. Could either of you give me some feedback on good aftermarket shocks?....I will be driving on pavement most likely 90% of the time, but I may need to hop the occasional curb or drive over a median at times. OCVeloMan, I will need new tires soon but hopefully later, and I will surely consider some Toyo Open Country M/Ts. I am very fond of their popularity and do find their appearance appealing.

It's going to take up to 3 weeks for the American Force Rebels to come in and I'll be posting pictures when the final product is finished. Thanks for the replies and please keep sharing feedback as I will have this truck for at least the next 3-5 years so theres plenty of time for improvements.

 

[steelnc]

I was actually thinking of going this route at first. I bought a 2014 Platinum about a month ago. After a lot of research i'm glad I didn't buy the pro comp. Ultimately, a 65k+ truck and putting the cheapest lift on it didn't make any sense. I went with an Icon 4.5". Hopefully i'll have it in the next 2 weeks.

 

[WoodBoy]

DSTRBD & OCVeloMan, thanks for replying. I do appreciate the feedback. I definitely had my worries regarding the Pro Comp level kit as I had no success finding any real reviews except for Pro Comp's own product overview. Also, I couldn't find a single example of a Super Duty with their 3.5" Nitro Level Kit installed.

I addressed my concerns to the manager at 4-Wheel Parts and he assured me this will be a nice set-up. He seems like an honest guy when responding to my wishes for a more reputable manufacturer saying he thought an Icon suspension level kit would be a great choice if I were to be regularly off-roading, but as a Houston city-driver it would be hard to notice a difference. I kept in mind that 4-Wheel Parts will only deal with the vendors they endorse. He also stated that with the 35x12.5 tires and 20x10 rims, I will need that extra inch of the 3.5" Nitro Kit to avoid contact issues.

I then brought up the use of aftermarket shocks and he suggested that installing Bilsteins would be great idea. Could either of you give me some feedback on good aftermarket shocks?....I will be driving on pavement most likely 90% of the time, but I may need to hop the occasional curb or drive over a median at times. OCVeloMan, I will need new tires soon but hopefully later, and I will surely consider some Toyo Open Country M/Ts. I am very fond of their popularity and do find their appearance appealing.

It's going to take up to 3 weeks for the American Force Rebels to come in and I'll be posting pictures when the final product is finished. Thanks for the replies and please keep sharing feedback as I will have this truck for at least the next 3-5 years so theres plenty of time for improvements.

I see nothing wrong with what you are wanting to do. Bilstein 5100 are supposed to be great shocks, I think I am going to go with the new rancho 7000mt since they are monotube shocks and are buy 3 get one free right now till the end of October. They also include a 90 day ride free. So if you dont like the shocks, you can return them and get a full refund. I would go that route because if you love them, you have a great price setup, if you dont, you take them back and swap them out with the bilstein 5100

 

[Dantron]

I was actually thinking of going this route at first. I bought a 2014 Platinum about a month ago. After a lot of research i'm glad I didn't buy the pro comp. Ultimately, spending 65k+ on a truck and putting the cheapest lift on it didn't make any sense. I went with an Icon 4.5". Hopefully i'll have it in the next 2 weeks.

Nice. What color interior did you pick for your Platinum? I bought mine for under 53k but after accessories, security, maintenance services, and TTL it ended up around the MSRP price. Also, what kind of wheel & tire combination are you planning to use after you install the 4.5" Icon?

 

[steelnc]

Nice. What color interior did you pick for your Platinum? I bought mine for under 53k but after accessories, security, maintenance services, and TTL it ended up around the MSRP price. Also, what kind of wheel & tire combination are you planning to use after you install the 4.5" Icon?

Edited first post

Got the Pecan interior. Love it.

You got it for under 53k? Wow. 2014? I do a lot of work for the owner of my dealership so I didn't wanna haggle to much. He puts money in my pocket. I didn't pay 65 either just the sticker. Think I got it for around 58k plus put down 20k. It's a great truck. Definitely a work horse.

I'm planning on running 35 toyo mt's and keeping the factory wheels. I love the factory wheels.

You got any pics of yours?

 

[steelnc]

Just re-read and seen it's a 2013. Yeah, still a good deal at 53k!! I had a white 13 picked out until I went in on a Monday and they had a brand new black 14 sitting there. Still love the white. If I were rich I would have both!

 

[Dantron]

I see nothing wrong with what you are wanting to do. Bilstein 5100 are supposed to be great shocks, I think I am going to go with the new rancho 7000mt since they are monotube shocks and are buy 3 get one free right now till the end of October. They also include a 90 day ride free. So if you dont like the shocks, you can return them and get a full refund. I would go that route because if you love them, you have a great price setup, if you dont, you take them back and swap them out with the bilstein 5100

Thanks for the reply and your advice on shocks. I did some research and I will surely be getting monotubes but still haven't decided on which manufacturer. I may just go with the Pro Comp Mono-Tube Pro Runners or MX-6 Mono-Tube Adjustables and keep my set-up strictly Pro Comp, not that I think Pro Comp is anything special but I know the Ford Dealer I bought from uses Pro Comp which could give me some leverage on warranty issues or trade-in value. Plus, I like the the zinc finish and black shock boot appearance.

 

[Dantron]

Edited first post

Got the Pecan interior. Love it.

You got it for under 53k? Wow. 2014? I do a lot of work for the owner of my dealership so I didn't wanna haggle to much. He puts money in my pocket. I didn't pay 65 either just the sticker. Think I got it for around 58k plus put down 20k. It's a great truck. Definitely a work horse.

I'm planning on running 35 toyo mt's and keeping the factory wheels. I love the factory wheels.

You got any pics of yours?

Yeah, it was listed for 52,865. I also went with the Black exterior and Pecan interior, and I love it. Once I saw the Pecan leather in person it became a must have feature. I didn't recall any changes between the 2013 & 2014 models and the in stock 2014s with black exterior all had Platinum interior. While shopping I quickly realized there wasn't a dealership in Texas that would beat the prices at the one I went to. I just looked on their website and right now they have a 2014 Platinum in white listed for 54,505, but no Pecan interior.

 

[steelnc]

Yeah, it was listed for 52,865. I also went with the Black exterior and Pecan interior, and I love it. Once I saw the Pecan leather in person it became a must have feature. I didn't recall any changes between the 2013 & 2014 models and the in stock 2014s with black exterior all had Platinum interior. While shopping I quickly realized there wasn't a dealership in Texas that would beat the prices at the one I went to. I just looked on their website and right now they have a 2014 Platinum in white listed for 54,505, but no Pecan interior.

Yeah, pics don't do the pecan interior any justice. I was sold when I seen it in person. Gorgeous interiors on these trucks.

 

[Dantron]

Yeah, pics don't do the pecan interior any justice. I was sold when I seen it in person. Gorgeous interiors on these trucks.

Yes, it's a beautiful truck. No need to buy a programmer for it has plenty of power, maybe for fuel economy, but I'm not risking my warranty. I hear they're putting in a new turbo and re-arranging its location to add even more power to the 2015 Super Duty. I wish I could have held out, but man they've come a long way since my last Super Duty. I was going to trade in my 2007 F-250 Lariat and it was stolen within an hour after the dealership's appraisal while I was at a doctor's appointment. I kid you not. However, it turned out to be blessing because they low-balled my trade-in for 15k and my truck was recovered 3 days later with the toolbox, navigation, and all the seats missing, which my insurance company calculated as a total loss and sent me a check for 23k the next week! Talk about a good thing coming out of a bad situation! Now I have Early Warning LoJack installed and Ford's second-stage alarm system with mobile phone access & monitoring. I'll post pics in a few days when I get the level-kit installed and the 35s put on the stock wheels (I couldn't wait 3 weeks for the American Force wheels to come in before I could level out that truck).

 

[steelnc]

Yes, it's a beautiful truck. No need to buy a programmer for it has plenty of power, maybe for fuel economy, but I'm not risking my warranty. I hear they're putting in a new turbo and re-arranging its location to add even more power to the 2015 Super Duty. I wish I could have held out, but man they've come a long way since my last Super Duty. I was going to trade in my 2007 F-250 Lariat and it was stolen within an hour after the dealership's appraisal while I was at a doctor's appointment. I kid you not. However, it turned out to be blessing because they low-balled my trade-in for 15k and my truck was recovered 3 days later with the toolbox, navigation, and all the seats missing, which my insurance company calculated as a total loss and sent me a check for 23k the next week! Talk about a good thing coming out of a bad situation! Now I have Early Warning LoJack installed and Ford's second-stage alarm system with mobile phone access & monitoring. I'll post pics in a few days when I get the level-kit installed and the 35s put on the stock wheels (I couldn't wait 3 weeks for the American Force wheels to come in before I could level out that truck).

Wow. Yeah, sometimes things in life suck then you find out it's a blessing in disguise. Funny how that works. I was offered 15k by my dealership too for my 06. Put entirely too much $$$ into it to let it go for that. Sold it for 21k in cash and still hated it but these new trucks are something else.
I'm with you on the warranty but i'm not sure how much longer I can take the sh*tty mileage and the regens.

 

[Big_Smokey]

Id opt for icon shocks or something else. I dont care for my 5100s

 

[Dantron]

Id opt for icon shocks or something else. I dont care for my 5100s

I went with the Pro Comp MX6 Monotube Six-Way Adjustables, 2 front & 2 rear. I'm a city-driver so theres not really a demand for high performance shocks. I'm getting the leveling kit & shocks installed tomorrow, but leaving the stock wheels & tires until the American Forces arrive. I should have a tall truck & small tires situation going for a couple weeks. It's always nice having something to look forward to.

 

[OCVeloMan]

I went with the Pro Comp MX6 Monotube Six-Way Adjustables, 2 front & 2 rear. I'm a city-driver so theres not really a demand for high performance shocks. I'm getting the leveling kit & shocks installed tomorrow, but leaving the stock wheels & tires until the American Forces arrive. I should have a tall truck & small tires situation going for a couple weeks. It's always nice having something to look forward to.

You'd be surprised how much a good shock is needed to control an 8,500lb. truck in any situation. On road requires the same shock control (more so in quick braking/maneuvering situations) as off-road and the larger diameter shock will provide a better ride in all situations. Regardless, you can always upgrade in the future. Best of luck with your build!

 

[Dantron]

You'd be surprised how much a good shock is needed to control an 8,500lb. truck in any situation. On road requires the same shock control (more so in quick braking/maneuvering situations) as off-road and the larger diameter shock will provide a better ride in all situations. Regardless, you can always upgrade in the future. Best of luck with your build!

I actually decided to go with Pro Comp Pro Runner's instead of the Pro Comp MX6 Adjustables. They were a less expensive and have the zinc plated finish, unlike the cheap-looking white plastic finish of the MX6's. Right now it's mostly about putting on something other than factory for a more individual appearance and to experiment. The factory Rancho shocks seem a bit bouncy compared to my old Super Duty, which makes the ride feel smoother but creates an unnecessary "bounce" effect long after I encounter an uneven piece of pavement. Like you said, I can always upgrade again if the Pro Runners provide a ride that I find undesirable.

 

[Dantron]

Pro Comp 3.5" Nitro Level Kit Installed

Here is the 3.5" Level Kit with Pro Runner shocks installed on stock wheels and tires..

 

[steelnc]

Looks good! Definitely an improvement over stock.