39x13.5x17 BFG KO3 & Stock Steering Rack & Tie Rod Thoughts

[Dgchurch]

I have hypercos and top hats. There is no requirement to install the top hats, the Hypercoil springs work fine with stock.

However it appears that the point of most likely point of failure on Raptors after installing spring (or other) lifts is the top hats. So if you’re running your truck aggressively like @Dgchurch, it may make sense to add the top hats when you’ve got the springs off as there is no additional work/labor cost to do it then.

Limit straps would be the next upgrade to consider.

My general philosophy is when I’m making changes outside Fords engineers original specs, upgrade for reliability. This approach makes mods more expensive, but may better reflect the true cost of making the change.

Yep, agreed. Got the springs in. Top hats come in today. Install tomorrow!!!! wooooooooo.....

 

[95BK9]

Thank you for taking the time to explain it to me, that's ones of the many things I like about this board, so much knowledge and not afraid to share.

 

[95BK9]

Yep, agreed. Got the springs in. Top hats come in today. Install tomorrow!!!! wooooooooo.....View attachment 17621View attachment 17620

Are those lift springs powder coated?

 

[Dgchurch]

Are those lift springs powder coated?

According to our good friend AI:

Yes, Hyperco springs are typically finished with a durable blue epoxy powder coat,
which provides excellent corrosion resistance and protection for the high-tensile chrome silicone steel. This signature coating is standard across their various product lines, including coil-over and conventional springs.

 

[95BK9]

Just wondered if you were going to use Forscan, once the vehicle is lifted?

 

[Dgchurch]

Just wondered if you were going to use Forscan, once the vehicle is lifted?

Yeah, @JohnGalt helped me out there. We adjusted the ride height sensors and all is well. Noticeably better ride/stock like on pavement. Another key note from my experience.... After the work was done none of my drive modes were available. I could manually use 4x4, lockers, front sta bar disconnect and could manually adjust the exhaust, however, I could not adjust steering feel, shocks or transmission/no sport mode/raptor mode, etc...

Forescan was showing an issue with my rear right shock. Upon further inspection it wasn't plugged back in. So I put some dielectric grease on the connector and got it to re-seat properly. It ended up that three of the four weren't fully plugged in. After greasing all four connectors and getting them properly seated, we were able to recalibrate with forescan and all the modes came back and height was adjusted with improved ride.

I don't think it was the shops fault, I think they thought the connectors were in place. I've had this issue on my own with wheel speed sensors, rear bumper parking sensors, etc... In all the cases dielectric grease was the fix. It's now part of my off road kit!
-----
As a review: My overall experience thus far has been very positive with the 2" Hyperco shocks, FMI no lift top hats and 39" KO3 tires with D sidewalls. The on road manners are essentially stock, which I value quite a bit. Off road there is more stability and functionality. I haven't noticed a drawback to date.

 

[95BK9]

DGchurch

Yeah, @JohnGalt helped me out there. We adjusted the ride height sensors and all is well. Noticeably better ride/stock like on pavement. Another key note from my experience.... After the work was done none of my drive modes were available. I could manually use 4x4, lockers, front sta bar disconnect and could manually adjust the exhaust, however, I could not adjust steering feel, shocks or transmission/no sport mode/raptor mode, etc...

Forescan was showing an issue with my rear right shock. Upon further inspection it wasn't plugged back in. So I put some dielectric grease on the connector and got it to re-seat properly. It ended up that three of the four weren't fully plugged in. After greasing all four connectors and getting them properly seated, we were able to recalibrate with forescan and all the modes came back and height was adjusted with improved ride.

I don't think it was the shops fault, I think they thought the connectors were in place. I've had this issue on my own with wheel speed sensors, rear bumper parking sensors, etc... In all the cases dielectric grease was the fix. It's now part of my off road kit!
-----
As a review: My overall experience thus far has been very positive with the 2" Hyperco shocks, FMI no lift top hats and 39" KO3 tires with D sidewalls. The on road manners are essentially stock, which I value quite a bit. Off road there is more stability and functionality. I haven't noticed a drawback to date.

DG
Thanks for the updates, I am strongly considering the exact upgrade for my Braptor. I extremely helpful to have yours and John Galts, as well as other board members input.

 

[Baldguy01]

quick ? any problems balancing the 39's tko's? I get concerend as I've had some run ins with bigger tires that wouldnt balance properly and had to use bead bags.....

 

[Dgchurch]

quick ? any problems balancing the 39's tko's? I get concerend as I've had some run ins with bigger tires that wouldnt balance properly and had to use bead bags.....

I just finished a pretty long trek from Sacramento to the Mojave, camping for the week along the way and home with @JohnGalt. Balance seemed fine throughout. Not as good as the stock 37's or smaller tires but not bad either. Nit picking.

When I first got the 39s, there was a shimmy. I took it to an off road shop and they were able to both Static and Dynamic balance and the shimmy went away. That would be my only recommendation - have a 4x4 shop that deals in large tires balance. It'll be worth the cost.

 

[Baldguy01]

Got it! thanks for!