Handling question

clubracergt1 · #1 11-16-2008, 09:34 PM

I am looking to set up the suspension on an '08 reg cab, and was wondering if anyone on here road races/autocrosses theie F150. Looking for suspension tips.

Thanks,
Shaun

JeremyGSU · #2 11-16-2008, 09:39 PM

I've seen a lightning do HPDE's before on video but that's it and it had a TON of work done to it. As for a newer F-150 I don't think anyone on here does that. Autocross is the only thing I could see a F-150 holding up at all in and you'd still have to do some work. I do a ton of HPDE's and I can't see an F-150 holding up at all. The tranny wouldn't last and the brakes would fry.

tarajerame · #3 11-17-2008, 11:02 AM

start with the basics, better springs/shocks/swaybars and then some better brakes

then see how well it handles, pitstain motocrosses his lightning but he's got custom suspension.

I do know that ladder type bars / long bars can cause the suspesion to bind on hard corners

clubracergt1 · #4 11-17-2008, 07:16 PM

I have been talking with the guys at Air Ride Technologies, and they claim that their 4-link setup works pretty well. I know it's air, but the geometry looks good; and you can adjust spring rates as needed without getting dirty. LOL

JeremyGSU · #5 11-17-2008, 08:25 PM

Even if you dial in the suspension I think you're going to have big time tranny problems. It's just not designed for road racing and you would need a brake upgrade kit for sure. It would take half a mile to stop it.

tarajerame · #6 11-18-2008, 11:14 AM

the brakes aren't that bad but cross drilled and slotted rotors would help...

I think he's still N/A so his tranny should be fine (with an additional cooler)

clubracergt1 what engine/trans do you have? what mods? what mods planned in the future?

pitstain is running a 4 link with airbags on his truck and loves it

Neal · #7 11-18-2008, 06:19 PM

HI!... Stay away from cross drilled rotors. They tend to crack. Get slotted rotors that are cryo treated. This way you can run a more aggressive pad. EBC, HAWK. etc.

JeremyGSU · #8 11-18-2008, 06:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tarajerame

the brakes aren't that bad but cross drilled and slotted rotors would help...

I think he's still N/A so his tranny should be fine (with an additional cooler)

clubracergt1 what engine/trans do you have? what mods? what mods planned in the future?

pitstain is running a 4 link with airbags on his truck and loves it

lol I'm not trying to be an *** but the F-150 would SUCK at any major road course. I.E. Sebring. You obviously have never done any kind of road course HDPE day. The brakes would be COMPLETELY inefficient. Have you ever done a track day or are you just guessing? My friend has a 12 sec race prepped Honda Civic that he tracks all the time and I have personally driven around 30 lapping days with it. He goes through rotors every couple of days at the track and that is with larger brakes than normal. A set of pads in a weekend if it's hot enough. A 6000+ truck would be terrible. I had a friend than ran a Jeep Cherokee SRT-8 for awhile and he had tranny cooling issues, shifting issues, and had to upgrade to a bigger brake kit and add brake ducting for cooling on all 4 rotors and this was with a truck that was far more prepared for a road course than an F-150. If you're talking Autocross that is one thing, but I don't believe for a second that an F-150 04< would hold up at a road course by any means for more than a just a few laps.

I've seen plenty of people who had true sports cars that couldn't take a full day of Sebring. Track days are extremely hard on your car and especially your brakes on larger road courses.

clubracergt1 · #9 12-09-2008, 05:51 AM

Actually, I have run SoloII events, SCCA driving school in a GT1, autoXed my old Mustang and been harassed for taking entrance and exit ramps WAY too fast. Hell, even drove a Jeep Liberty around the road coarse at Gateway (That was an experience). The F150 would not be a "track toy" so to speak. Just a daily driver that will see occasional autoX duty. I just like the sensation of lateral Gs. Figured if I asked about road course set-ups, I would be able to get some good ideas on setting up my suspension. I already know about the transmission and brake shortcomings; but upgrades to everything is to be done as it breaks. I may even consider swapping out the 4.2/M5OD combo for something far more "interesting", shall we say? Basically, I have run the vehicles you are "supposed" to have at the track; and am ready to be a bit different.

JeremyGSU · #10 12-19-2008, 08:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by clubracergt1

Actually, I have run SoloII events, SCCA driving school in a GT1, autoXed my old Mustang and been harassed for taking entrance and exit ramps WAY too fast. Hell, even drove a Jeep Liberty around the road coarse at Gateway (That was an experience). The F150 would not be a "track toy" so to speak. Just a daily driver that will see occasional autoX duty. I just like the sensation of lateral Gs. Figured if I asked about road course set-ups, I would be able to get some good ideas on setting up my suspension. I already know about the transmission and brake shortcomings; but upgrades to everything is to be done as it breaks. I may even consider swapping out the 4.2/M5OD combo for something far more "interesting", shall we say? Basically, I have run the vehicles you are "supposed" to have at the track; and am ready to be a bit different.

Doing Auto-X would be infinitely easier on your truck than doing an HDPE as you seem to know. I don't think you would have a problem doing that but stay away from HDPE's if you want your truck to last IMO.