The front sway bars are VERY different between the 2 trucks, as a matter of fact there are 4 different sway bars used, the range from 27mm all the way up to 32mm (I recently had to buy sway bar bushings and discovered this. You will want the 32mm bar, it GREATLY helps plant the front wheels and eliminates some of the body roll. The control arms are also different, Lightnings had a specific part # for them. Definitely use the lightning rear axle too, having posi is always a good thing

 

Wow buddy, wake up to early this morning?

 

I have a 98 f150 4.6 5-speed, and have done most of the suspension swap from the lightning. Did the front coils from a 99 and the rear leafs from a 03. The front sway is the exact same as was already in my truck stock. I had the rear on for about 10k and have since taken the front and rear off to shed a few pounds.
If it were me I would snag the rear axle since nobody likes the one wheel wonders lol. The upper control arms are the exact same as yours and the only difference in the lower control arms is the use of bump stops to keep the wheels from contacting in a full lock turn. Your brake booster and master cylinder should be fine but you will need to add a proportioning valve.

Anybody want to buy front and rear lightning sways?

 

If you wish to sell something, put it in the proper forum, the classifieds. Also, please don't hijack someone else's thread.

 

97s had both rear shocks facing to the rear, and the L is staggered, thats where the issue is. Not sure if your frame has the mount on the top or not, that would be what i would look for first before you try and axle shock mount cut and welded to the back of the axle

 

By the way, i merged all 3 of your threads on the same subject into one thread

 

Sorry didn't mean to high jack the op

 

#1 - the OP is talking about stock parts, not aftermarket parts

#2 - what chevy axle are you referring to? Ford use limited slip while GM uses "posi's"

#3 - the OP is confused enough without you coming in here posting false information

 

he had three threads??? wow

 

Ok, let me clear things up. I am not confused and I am more than capable when it comes to mechanics. I have built and raced high 10 low 11 second cars using only motors smaller than 2.0 (mostly rotary engines 1.3L). I have built tube chassis, roll cages, custom 4-links, ect. I am also a certified engine builder, welder, and machinist. All of this is fact... Please do not demean me as if I am a child posting nonsense with no backround.


OK, yes I made a thread a while back asking if this was possible since I have no prior experience with f150s or Lightnings or trucks in general. I accidently double posted that same thread. It was a computer error. That was the old 2 threads. I forgot about them until I seen them today when someone posted in it to bring it to the top of the page...

This current thread only has one real question...

My stock 8.8 and shocks are on the same side of the rear both angled towards the tailgate And L rear having the passenger side shock angled towards the front of the truck. While the drivers side still facing the rear of the truck.

Now tarajerame, you state that I do not have to flip the shock. How is this possible if the lower shock mount on the rear will point the shock towards the front? This I am confused about.

 

again in 1997 both shocks faced the rear, little known fact, and im sure Jerame didnt know that 97 were different.

Both shocks facing rear rides softer/smoother
Staggered shocks help control wheel hop (which you shouldnt have an issue with)

Mount the shocks how ever you can get them to bolt up, with the minimal power of the V6 you will be fine either way.

 

This is ridicules IMO, -unless you have future plans for the truck, it's border line stupid for the 4.2L lol. To each his own, you have your reasons I guess. You mainly want good braking so you say. I told you how to go about that.

BTW- The booster on the 97 is allot smaller than the lightnings. Will it still work? Not sure, but it is a smaller canister. The boosters didn't evolve until 99.

That said, -I could see doing it if your plans were building the engine/truck in the future. As far as brakes (original and main reason, (yours)), uhh, nope!

The lightning might have a nicer interior, - worth going after, maybe ?

 

I plan to turbo the V6 engine. But I always start at suspension and brakes before I do any motor work. This is the way I do my car, so my truck will be no different. The boosted will be upgrades as well.

I have been looking online to find a factory shackle to mount the foward facing shock. Any tips on where to find one? I been mainly looking on ebay with no luck

 

As far as i have ever seen the upper mount is there to mount the shock either way on the axle and the frame. I maybe wrong in your case. Just going on what I have seen.

 

It's not there on mine. The holes are in the frame where it would normally be riveted in place. I have had no luck at the junk yards finding one either.

Still on the hunt for the mount.