'01 1" drop springs

[Burple]

Doing a 2/4 drop on a 2001 screw using 2" drop spindles and shackle/hangers in the rear. I'm now thinking I want to do a 3" front drop. Should I just cut down my stock coil springs or look for some 1" drop coil springs? I did find a kit that will drop a Harley/Lightning 1", but since they already come 1" lower than my stock F150 that would mean a 2" drop. Is there some kind of spacer I could use to get a 1" lift if I went towards that route? What's the best way to go about it? Did a little research and this is where I'm at. I figured I can go with Belltech 2" lowering coil springs and 1" front spring spacers for $201.55 or Ford Racing HD/L 1" drop kit (which I'm assuming has 2" lower springs from my regular F150 stock springs) and the same 1" front spacer for $194. The Ford Racing kit comes with rear shackles that I can probably sell and get some cash back in my pocket. Does anyone have any experience in either one of these coil springs and which would be the better option.

[lokilightning]

Do you have the spindles already? If so, just use the springs from a lightning.

[Burple]

Would the springs have to be OEM from Ford or are there aftermarket replacements? Any part numbers?

[T_S_S]

I have em as well.

[4.2xl2001]

Maybe someone who has done this mod can chime in but, when you change your spring height , whether higher or lower, you change the geometry of the control arms and spindles. Your wheels will be sticking in towards the tops of the tires and your tires will wear badly on the inside tread. In order to correct the geometry, you need a caster/camber cam bolt kit installed on each side of the front end to allow the alignment shop to dial in your wheels so they are perfectly perpendicular to the road. The cam bolt kit replaces your stock upper control arm bolts and stationary washers with adjustable ones. MOOG chassis components makes such a kit (you will need 2), and there are different kits for 97-98, 99-03 and 2WD and 4X4 and I found the best price on Amazon.com. They are easy to install and your tires will thank you. Also, I would cut the stock springs(just 1 turn) and remove the OEM isolator spacers below your springs to determine if that is satisfactory, before buying aftermarket springs. Plenty of owners are happy with the cut spring and it's corresponding rate. Springs should be cut with as little heat dissipation as possible...a portable band saw would be choice but an angle grinder with a cutoff wheel won't be too harsh, if done carefully.

[Patman]

removing ISO is good for about .5"
cutting one full turn on coil is good for 1"

Lightning springs are anywhere from .75" to 1.5" depending on year of Lightning, and what truck you're swapping them onto

There are 3" coils available as well (Eibach ones have been discontinued but you might be able to find someone selling a set)



I would not recommend trying to stack a 2" coil and a 1" spacer under any circumstance

[Burple]

Originally Posted by Patman

I would not recommend trying to stack a 2" coil and a 1" spacer under any circumstance

Why would this be a bad idea? Belltech pro coils come with spacers to give the opinion of either a 1" or 2" drop.

I used GF 2" coils with the Belltech 1" spacer, but when it was all said & done it lowered my front end more than what I was after. Swapped it back to the factory coils & kept the 2" spindles. That gave me the drop I was after.

[Patman]

Originally Posted by Burple

Why would this be a bad idea? Belltech pro coils come with spacers to give the opinion of either a 1" or 2" drop.

The ride with a dropped coil and a spacer would just be horrendous, the drop coil is going to ride a little stiffer than factory, and add a spacer in there it will be worse.

Try putting the right parts on there for the right drop you want

[T_S_S]

The Belltech Pro-Coils right just fine. I guess it is matter of opinion.