i have a 97 f150 step side and i would liketo convert thebrakes/suspension over to the lightning. Its a v6 5 speed if that matters.my friend has a wrecked 99 lightning that I would like to use for some parts. I mainly want the brakes. But he said I might need the wheels and suspension to make it all work. And maybe the entire rear end...

Anyone done this conversion and can let me know exactly what I need? Like a parts list...?

 

I have never done this swap- nor do I know anybody that has.

However- depending on what gears you have and the condition of them I would take the lightnings rear end. You might need a brake booster or something to go from drums to disk if the lightning has disks (forget).

The suspension is probably different- you probably could make it work depending on your skills/ tools etc.

As for brakes look up what sizes the lightnings are vs yours. if they are bigger you will need the rims most likely.

hope someone else can give you more concrete answers/ good luck.

 

why not swap the whole drivetrain??


btw, that L rear end has 3.55 gears.

 

If you have a 3.08 rear, I'd swap over to the lightning axle. As for the suspension and all that, I doubt it would be worth the hassle. If the wheels are in good shape though, I'd swap to those also.

 

Few things I have read recently...

The 9.75 is a direct swap including the drive shaft flange. But the lightning has 5 leaf springs instead of 3. And it will also sit lower. The weight difference is 60 something lbs only between rears. Not bad considering the stock for stock strength comparison. Plus getting an lsd with 3.55 gears with disc brakes. Not a bad swap...

The front is completely different and requires a full swap of all the suspension parts. It should mount up to all stock body mounts.

I think I will go ahead and do this swap. I'll update when I do, and I'm sure ill have some questions along the way.

 

If nothing else take the rear sway.

 

buy the lightning, swap your cab and bed etc. onto the lightning chassis if it's not bent.

 

I recently traded a motor and hood for a bunch of 01 lightning parts. Basically everything underneath. Complete rear, wheels, complete front suslension/brakes, sway bars, leafs, ect.

I was giving everything a look over this morning getting ready to do the swap when I noticed the L shocks are staggered and my 97 is not. This might be old news for you guys, but this being my first truck I wasn't expecting that.

Is there a bolt on mount that is on the L that I didn't get? Or is it welded/riveted on to the L frame that couldn't be removed. Since the L that these parts fame from was scrapped, am I able to buy this mount somewhere, or am I stuck making one?

 

Lightnings and Harley trucks have the staggered shocks, and IIRC some of the 4x4 trucks do also

 

I hope you aren't going to waste your time on the front sway bar swap

 

the front sway bars are the same

the spindles and control arms are the same


swap the calipers, caliper brackets, the rotors, brake lines etc UP front along with the coil springs as it wil lower your truck slightly and provide better ride and handling (not much)

the rear, the leafs will help your truck sit lower and they are better for handling, the rear sway bar makes the most difference though and the rear brakes going from drum to disk will be a huge improvement as well

the brake booster won't need to be swapped

and regarding your other thread about the shocks, you don't have to flip the one

 

and you don't have to swap the shock, you can run it like your V-6 truck is now and be fine

 

The mounts on the rear are facing opposing sides as well. So I have to either find a L passenger side rear upper shock mount. Or cut and Weld the mounts on the rear. Obviously getting an L shock mount will be the better route.

Is the front sway bar the same diameter?

 

#1 leave the shocks as they are on your stock

#2 the front sway bars are the same - you can swap 'em if you want to, but it's not worth the effort as you won't accomplish anything by swapping one stock sway bar for another





have you even looked at the trucks?? you keep talking about suspension bolting to the body and if that's the case then you're doing it wrong and need to put down the keys and back away slowly so you don't startle either truck




I'm going to laugh if the lightning has damaged suspension from the wreck and you insist on swapping it over to fuel your "mod list" and create some serious issues for yourself

 

Why, just why???? Screw all that, go for the power plant. Why stop when really wanna go fast ! You know you do.
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Your 97 brake system is just fine.... Yea right lol. - Up front, off the factory stuff up front Run HD rotors (Brembo's), Cardon calipers (Ford w/steel pistons), good pads (Ceramic life times) and braided lines (most important part, Ford lines suck!), - done....

IF it's all working right, she'll stop on a dime , -loaded. The rear drums will assist well if you keep them working well. Once in awhile they do need maintenance and cleaning. I know, that's hard to except for some. Just run good shoes back there and use Permatex Purple to keep the parts in working order.