I noticed some guys lowered their L's 2"...is that 2" all the way around? What parts are needed for the work? Also, does ANYONE know where I can get a chrome set of Lightning wheels in Dallas,Texas????

------------------
Red 2000 SVT Lightning

 

you can get them from the online store

 

Does anyone know what parts are needed to do the 2" drop everyone is doing around here??

------------------
Red 2000 SVT Lightning

 

a lot of us are dropping the back 2 inches to make it level with the front...
we use 2 inch "drop shackles" available from many places. AIM industries, belltech, several others.. cost is around 50-75 bucks with shipping.
i have a couple of pics (before & after) in my zing photo album. check it out.

------------------
brooks
'00 silver "L"
member NLOC #496
my zing albums - _-click here-_

_-mods-_
clunk (free with purchase)
V1 radar detector
colormatched ventvisors
redline waterwetter
mobile1 oil & filter
eaton inside sticker
2" drop shackles
pro sport bed cover & bedrug
clear corners
R9 superchip & airaid system
superbright headlights & foglights
euro tails? - up next
waiting on lunar guages

 

I would look into the Steeda kit. Steeda has been modifying Mustangs for quite some time. the kit includes front springs and rear leafs. I was told it would drop the front 1 inch and the rear 2.5. Whenever you talk drop the heights are always approximate. I would not do it with the bad roads in San Antonio. You are loading the front end suspension parts with increased load. I already have the infamous front end "clunk" at a tad over 3500. The front ball joints are also very weak. Ford used extremely small ball joints. I would purchase Moog ball joints. Moog parts tend to be well built and always include grease zerks. I have been modifying cars for over 20 years now. It is a trial and error process. Usually more error than trial. IMHO a 2 inch drop all around is too much. Steeda only charges 410.00 for the kit. Another tidbit. The Bilstein shocks ride like krap. I had them on my 1998 Z-28. I have a full set of Edelbrock IAS shocks in the box here in the living room. The '99-00 stock Lightning shocks in my opinion suck. Not enough modulation. The Generation One Lightnings used Monroe Formula GP shocks. Monroe no longer manufactures them and it is a crying shame. Monroe used to have on-site track support for the Formula GP program. I had 6 of them, count 6 on my 1989 Mustang Hardtop Coupe. These were the best shocks that I have ever seen. Koni is supreme also. I will just have to wait and see how the Edelbrock IAS shocks perform. I will report in a few weeks when installed. I also purchased the 2 inch drop shackles from Steeda. They are manufactured by Eibach. Dropping the Lightning much more than stock is a questionable durablity issue. If you do it make sure you buy the MOOG ball joints. jw

[This message has been edited by whitelightnin' (edited 10-12-2000).]

 

I went with Chassis Tech front springs and rear hangers (not shackles). This kept the stock rake of the truck and lowered it all the way around by 2".

------------------
Wes Tarbox
90 LX 5.0 (10.69 @ 134.7)--597rwhp/590rwtq
96 Cobra (12.34 @ 115.8)--392rwhp/433rwtq
99 Lightning (13.20 @ 103.8)--364rwhp/444rwtq
00 Expedition XLT 5.4
http://members.aol.com/Wa2fst/index.html

 

afj00svt, i don't know what most people are using but 2" lower than stock springs in the front have to make it a little stiffer ride. this is way i would do it, and 2" all the way around is not even close to being to much of a drop if done right. https://www.f150online.com/f150board...ML/000877.html

 

It may or may not be of interest to others however I have exchanged emails with this company and they have a application in the works for the L that should be available in a couple of months.
http://www.airliftcompany.com/easystreet/indexeasy.htm

I believe they have a system for the rear of a F150 already, but are working on a specific one for the L, front and rear.

Rex

 

Wes:

I did the Belltech 3" springs up front(really 2" for us) and AIM shackles in the back. I like the stock rake(-2" all the way around)for now but I've got the Belltech hangers going on soon just to level it out.

Springs and shackles were a breeze to do at home(1.5hrs.). Hangers are going to be tough, though.

Rich


[This message has been edited by TampaBayLightning (edited 10-13-2000).]

 

Shackles look good...They definitely make a difference! Are they difficult to install? Did anyone do install their own?

------------------
Red 2000 SVT Lightning

 

Yep, Rich, the hangers are a bit of a PITA...definitely more time consuming than shackles and a bit of a messy job.

Still, after its all said and done, I'm very pleased with the results.

Others,

As far as 2" drop goes...if you didn't have another L sitting next to mine, you'd think mine looked great...its definitely NOT slammed or anything like that. We have great roads here in the N. Dallas suburbs, so I honestly can't tell a compromise in ride quality. Handling is improved.

And yes...I did my own install. I _always_ do my own installs.

------------------
Wes Tarbox
90 LX 5.0 (10.69 @ 134.7)--597rwhp/590rwtq
96 Cobra (12.34 @ 115.8)--392rwhp/433rwtq
99 Lightning (13.20 @ 103.8)--364rwhp/444rwtq
00 Expedition XLT 5.4 http://members.aol.com/Wa2fst/index.html



[This message has been edited by WA 2 FST (edited 10-13-2000).]

 

Wes:

Were you able to do the hangers without a lift? Did you torch them off or grind them off?

Rich

 

You definitely do not need a lift. It would make it easier, although the "shrapnel" from grinding those huge rivets would just get all over your face. I wouldn't do it on a lift without an air-tight welders mask.

I just jacked the rear end up and did it. I got two carbide grinding bits and ground the rivets down til they were flush with the stock hangers. Then I used an air hammer to pound them through. If I were to do it again, I would cut an "X" in each rivet and then just use an air chisel to bust them off flush with the hanger...this would mean less metal shavings _everywhere_.

Either way, its a time consuming deal, but not difficult as far as mechanical skill-level is concerned.

------------------
Wes Tarbox
90 LX 5.0 (10.69 @ 134.7)--597rwhp/590rwtq
96 Cobra (12.34 @ 115.8)--392rwhp/433rwtq
99 Lightning (13.20 @ 103.8)--364rwhp/444rwtq
00 Expedition XLT 5.4
http://members.aol.com/Wa2fst/index.html

 

As far as shackles go, I did the install on my truck and It improved both cornering and braking (less dive). There are installation instructions here: http://www.svt-lightning.com/tech/mods/shackles.shtml


WhiteLightn' send me an email..

nroach@svt-lightning.com
San Antonio, Texas

 

Which company's shackles are best suited for the Lightning?

------------------
Red 2000 SVT Lightning