Project RadMav

[RadMav]

Vehicle: 2022 Ford Maverick XLT FX4 4k
Purchased Date: 12/26/2022

Version 1:
- Bronco Sport Badlands Wheels
- Satin Black Roof Wrap
- Ford Performance Roof Spoiler
- Ford Performance Tailgate Spoiler
- Trifold Bed Cover
- H&R Sport Lowering Springs
- EGR Window Visors
- Borla ATAK Custom Exhaust
- Steeda Bypass Valve Adapter
- ST Steering Wheel
- MST Hood Struts
- Hood Deflector (Dealer Installed)
- Switchback from Turn Signals
- Buschur Racing Catch Can

I come from lowered Ford Focus' so I thought this would be a slam dunk being lowered. The truck already handled surprisingly well, it had the same motor as a Focus ST, a variation of the Focus RS AWD system, soooo, yeah... lower it!

Here was my mistake... Before lowering it, I took it to an offroad park. I thought that if I was going to lower it, I should at least go play in the dirt once...

VIDEO:

I had a lot of fun that day, but I didn't think too much about it at first.

After lowering the truck, I noticed I was hitting parking spot curbs, swerving around every pothole, and dreading driving on some of the country road around where I live. I took it camping, and I BARELY made it to my camping spot because of the lack of ground clearance. I didn't like it lowered anymore.

Version 2:
- Everything in Version 1
- Except the Lowering Springs were swapped out for a Rough Country 2" Lift.
- BFGoodrich K02's 245/75/17
- INNO Roof Rack
- Rough Country Spectrum A-Pillar Flood Lights
- RubiGrid Dash Device Mount by BulletPoint
- Rough Country Floor Liners

More mods, accessories, and video coming.

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[Maverickman74]

Contrary to what the Fast and Furious movies will have you believe, it is hard to drive a lowered car fast anywhere but the freeway and the racetrack. Also big tires and a little vehicle still look low and tight compared to big F-series, and if the angles are right, It will go where you need it to.

On the 74 Maverick in the my picture. I lowered the front 1" but on stiffer coils opened wheel wells and 0.5" taller sidewall tires. So 0.5" drop but stiffer compression. The rear was lifted about 1.25" with 1" taller tires. Despite being a RWD V8 platform it would always land harder on the rear(the front end had about 100lbs of weight loss over stock). The added travel in the rear helped with that. I regularly drove that thing like Bo and Luke Duke.

 

[JBryant]

Contrary to what the Fast and Furious movies will have you believe, it is hard to drive a lowered car fast anywhere but the freeway and the racetrack. Also big tires and a little vehicle still look low and tight compared to big F-series, and if the angles are right, It will go where you need it to.

On the 74 Maverick in the my picture. I lowered the front 1" but on stiffer coils opened wheel wells and 0.5" taller sidewall tires. So 0.5" drop but stiffer compression. The rear was lifted about 1.25" with 1" taller tires. Despite being a RWD V8 platform it would always land harder on the rear(the front end had about 100lbs of weight loss over stock). The added travel in the rear helped with that. I regularly drove that thing like Bo and Luke Duke.

Vehicle: 2022 Ford Maverick XLT FX4 4k
Purchased Date: 12/26/2022

Version 1:
- Bronco Sport Badlands Wheels
- Satin Black Roof Wrap
- Ford Performance Roof Spoiler
- Ford Performance Tailgate Spoiler
- Trifold Bed Cover
- H&R Sport Lowering Springs
- EGR Window Visors
- Borla ATAK Custom Exhaust
- Steeda Bypass Valve Adapter
- ST Steering Wheel
- MST Hood Struts
- Hood Deflector (Dealer Installed)
- Switchback from Turn Signals
- Buschur Racing Catch Can

I come from lowered Ford Focus' so I thought this would be a slam dunk being lowered. The truck already handled surprisingly well, it had the same motor as a Focus ST, a variation of the Focus RS AWD system, soooo, yeah... lower it!

Here was my mistake... Before lowering it, I took it to an offroad park. I thought that if I was going to lower it, I should at least go play in the dirt once...

VIDEO:

I had a lot of fun that day, but I didn't think too much about it at first.

After lowering the truck, I noticed I was hitting parking spot curbs, swerving around every pothole, and dreading driving on some of the country road around where I live. I took it camping, and I BARELY made it to my camping spot because of the lack of ground clearance. I didn't like it lowered anymore.

Version 2:
- Everything in Version 1
- Except the Lowering Springs were swapped out for a Rough Country 2" Lift.
- BFGoodrich K02's 245/75/17
- INNO Roof Rack
- Rough Country Spectrum A-Pillar Flood Lights
- RubiGrid Dash Device Mount by BulletPoint
- Rough Country Floor Liners

More mods, accessories, and video coming.

So if I am reading this right, you lowered it, then came back and lifted it. Is that correct? How does it do after the lifting?

 

[Old Man]

Great example of what happens when lowering an already low vehicle.

 

[groovesocket]

+1 for white letter tires.

 

[Deleted member 7089]

Love everything except the tires, they look too big and I dislike white letters to start off with.

 

[RadMav]

So if I am reading this right, you lowered it, then came back and lifted it. Is that correct? How does it do after the lifting?

Correct. I lowered it first, and now it's lifted.

With just the lift, it didn't really drive any different. It was noticeably higher up from with such a dramatic change, but it drove normally for the most part.

When I added the larger tires, I had to do a little trimming in the front of the pinch weld and the felt fender liner. The ride is normal in a straight line, but with such a tall tire, I can feel the sidewall flex and I don't corners at as high of a speed as I used to.

Not sure how it compares with stock yet offroad, but that will be coming soon.

 

[RadMav]

Love everything except the tires, they look too big and I dislike white letters to start off with.

I agree about the tire size. They are a touch too big. I think next time, I'll go with a 245/65/17

As for the white lettering, I personally love it.

 

[Bokmingo]

The truck is already low enough on its own so version two sounds a ton better than version one. Your truck looks, Rad. The tires are too big though IMO. Kudos to whoever did the video editing...pretty sick!

 

[JBryant]

Correct. I lowered it first, and now it's lifted.

With just the lift, it didn't really drive any different. It was noticeably higher up from with such a dramatic change, but it drove normally for the most part.

When I added the larger tires, I had to do a little trimming in the front of the pinch weld and the felt fender liner. The ride is normal in a straight line, but with such a tall tire, I can feel the sidewall flex and I don't corners at as high of a speed as I used to.

Not sure how it compares with stock yet offroad, but that will be coming soon.

Looks like you are building that thing from the ground up. Next time, maybe just order engine, tranny, frame, etc. and design your own LOL. Good luck, and man, it is looking fantastic.

 

[Guv]

+1 for white letter tires.

When the time comes I’m looking for some Red Lines.

 

[Guv]

Honestly, I get the wanting to be different from all the other buggers out there but you had the best looking wheels to begin with .
Cool job on your video, way above my pay grade.

 

[JP4AZ]

Way better now then when it was lowered! Nice work

 

[Havick]

Truck looks great! I think these trucks look good either way, lowered or raised for off-road.

 

[pa-outdoorsman]

Much much better!

Congrats on a SWEET ride. OWL tires are great. I love my lifted truck and there are lots of similarities but also subtle differences in our builds.

Congratulations and welcome to the lifted Maverick club!

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