Method 321 wheels + Toyo Open Country AT III EV tires + Eibach Front Shocks

[abcut973]

Good looking ride!
Not a fan of the front light bar wrap. I like the smoked tail lights though. How did you black out the rear 5" ford emblem? Did you remove it?
We have almost the same wheel set up. With my 18" method on 35" KO2 i'm getting 1.6 kwh/miles @ 75mph on long trip.

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[Robert1380]

Hey folks,

After a few months of research and chatting with various folks, I made some mods. Thought I’d share the details in case it helps someone, like it did for me.

Front Shocks
Went with the Eibach shocks for the front only. Part #: E60-35-061-01-10

I had the shop set them to the 4th ring (there are 5 total). This almost leveled the truck, it’s slightly less in the front, but impossible to tell. Maybe an inch or two.

Wheels
Method 318 in Gloss Black
18x9 / 6x135 / +18mm / 2650 load / 31lbs

These are very light and I wanted Gloss, and most of the black wheels that Method have are matte, so this narrowed my search to just a couple options. I love how they turned out.

Tires
Got the new Toyo Open Country AT III EV tires
Size 275/70R18 and the SL version, NOT the E. They are much lighter coming in at 43 lbs.

I believe the OEM tire on the platinum with wheels is 79 lbs. My new setup is 74 lbs., so a tad lighter.

Impressions
First, love the look. I had 20” wheels and also liked them, but I’m more of a fan of the 18”. The shocks seem nicer than the pucks, but hard to tell except when you hit a bump it just feels better, less bouncy I guess.

I’m getting around 2.0 on the freeway going 75mph. Here's a pic from today on a drive, but I forgot to take another one when I got there. Probably 90% freeway with little traffic and about 40 miles. Still ended at 2.0. Given the wheel offset, larger tires, and lift, that doesn’t seem too bad. But it’s definitely less than stock, so keep that in mind.

Dumb question but did you install the front Eibachs in lieu of a front level kit or did you level the truck and add the shocks?

 

[nate002]

Dumb question but did you install the front Eibachs in lieu of a front level kit or did you level the truck and add the shocks?

The Eibach shocks have settings from 0” to 2.6” lift that you can use to level the truck. It sounds like he set them to the 4th setting which is 2.1” lift, which mostly levels the truck.

 

[chuck27p]

Nice looking ride. I don't think my tires were ever that shiny. Not even when I picked it up new.

Just got it washed, tire dressing will do that!

 

[chuck27p]

Sweet looking mods for your truck. I have the same color and just ordered the same setup but I’m digging the light bar wrap and smoked tail lights. I see you’re in the OC, where did you get those done?

Anthony at Autotronica in Anaheim.
Didn't do a wrap, painted the light bar and the tail lights. They call it "smoke" and they paint the outside and the light shines through. I love the tailights and only love the light bar in the day. But overall not sure I'd ever paint again, I've had to replace 2 lights (hit and also a recall for the back one) and each time I have to go get it painted again to match. Pain in the butt, but does look awesome all black IMO.

 

[chuck27p]

Eh, I can see there are a LOT of folks here that like dark/black vehicle's, I personally like a lil color in my ride (Anti Matter Blue). I have noticed the last couple of years a lot of the vehicle Mfg's are going with the flat color's. Gloss Flat grey, I prefer the metallic depth of colors, IMO
With that being said, what attracts you to the all black vehicle? Why does it pop for you, just curious...
Not trying to stir up stuff, just wondering...

IDK, just always been partial to black cars I guess ha. I think they look pretty sleek and cool. Just preference, to each his own!

 

[chuck27p]

Dumb question but did you install the front Eibachs in lieu of a front level kit or did you level the truck and add the shocks?

Not a dumb question. I actually had the pucks (e.g. leveling kit) for the first 2.5 years and was getting some uneven wear on my tires and a few shops told me I was really out of alignment. A few mechanics told me that with the F150s it's not ideal to add pucks, it puts strain on the control arms or something. So when I got these new tires/wheels, I decided to ditch the pucks and use the shocks, which I've been told is the better option. Makes the ride nicer too. And they're pretty cheap, like $150/each. I would have done this from the beginning had I'd known better.

 

[chuck27p]

The Eibach shocks have settings from 0” to 2.6” lift that you can use to level the truck. It sounds like he set them to the 4th setting which is 2.1” lift, which mostly levels the truck.

Correct. I'm not an expert in this area, but yes we set them to 4 out of 5 setting and the front is basically level, maybe 1-2" below level. Can't tell with your eye.

 

[chuck27p]

Good looking ride!
Not a fan of the front light bar wrap. I like the smoked tail lights though. How did you black out the rear 5" ford emblem? Did you remove it?
We have almost the same wheel set up. With my 18" method on 35" KO2 i'm getting 1.6 kwh/miles @ 75mph on long trip.

Dude, totally hear you. I have mixed feelings about the light bar. I had it painted, it is also smoked. In daylight I love it b/c it's all black and personally I hate the light bar. Think it's the worst part of this truck. But at night, with is smoked, it's like a dirty yellow which I don't like. I've actually thought about just painting it a pure black and being done with it, lol.

For the emblems, the shop removed them all around the whole truck, sent them to the paint shop, and then reinstalled. Even each little letter of LIGHTNING on the side too. So yes, removed the ford emblem and painted it.

 

[abcut973]

Dude, totally hear you. I have mixed feelings about the light bar. I had it painted, it is also smoked. In daylight I love it b/c it's all black and personally I hate the light bar. Think it's the worst part of this truck. But at night, with is smoked, it's like a dirty yellow which I don't like. I've actually thought about just painting it a pure black and being done with it, lol.

For the emblems, the shop removed them all around the whole truck, sent them to the paint shop, and then reinstalled. Even each little letter of LIGHTNING on the side too. So yes, removed the ford emblem and painted it.

I actually like the light bar as is. One of the characteristic of an EV since most of them irrespective of brand come with one. As soon as you see it you know it belongs to the same community .

Do you know how did the shop remove the tailgate emblem?

 

[Robert1380]

Not a dumb question. I actually had the pucks (e.g. leveling kit) for the first 2.5 years and was getting some uneven wear on my tires and a few shops told me I was really out of alignment. A few mechanics told me that with the F150s it's not ideal to add pucks, it puts strain on the control arms or something. So when I got these new tires/wheels, I decided to ditch the pucks and use the shocks, which I've been told is the better option. Makes the ride nicer too. And they're pretty cheap, like $150/each. I would have done this from the beginning had I'd known better.

Oh ok so you ditched the level kit altogether and just used adjustable height shocks. Does it seem to ride better than factory? I didn’t realize changing only shocks would give you that much lift.

 

[digitaldad]

Oh ok so you ditched the level kit altogether and just used adjustable height shocks. Does it seem to ride better than factory? I didn’t realize changing only shocks would give you that much lift.

There's OEM replacements (stock height) and then there's lifting options like these (being adjustable height). The combined kit I purchased is essentially these shocks but also new springs (OP kept stock springs).

 

[chuck27p]

Oh ok so you ditched the level kit altogether and just used adjustable height shocks. Does it seem to ride better than factory? I didn’t realize changing only shocks would give you that much lift.

Yep, to all. Ditched the leveling kit and added the front shocks. You raise them to setting 4 (in my case) and it's basically level with the added benefit of new shocks, that ride pretty darn nice. It's great!

 

[Robert1380]

Yep, to all. Ditched the leveling kit and added the front shocks. You raise them to setting 4 (in my case) and it's basically level with the added benefit of new shocks, that ride pretty darn nice. It's great!

And you went with different springs as well

 

[chuck27p]

And you went with different springs as well

I did not, kept my springs. They were in good shape. Just the shocks.

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