I really like the looks of the truck lowered. Where is a good place to get the lowering kit? What is average cost? Did you all lower both front and rear or rear only? Can it be done easily or is it major deal?

 

All of the above. There are many kits depending how low you want to go. I started with 2" rear shackles ($60), the easiest. Then go rear hangers, front springs, springs/control arms, bags, etc. Look back at the old topics or do a search. There's a lot on that. Good luck

 

2" rear drop shackles is the easiest place to start, looks great, and is the most popular choice.
www.lightningforceperformance.com has them for the cheapest price i've seen so far. 50 bucks plus 10 shipping

The rear drop shackles are an easy DIY install. takes about 10 minutes per side to swap out the shackles once the truck is in the air. There's a pretty good How To in the Technical Articals of this site.
Truck still rides great, doesn't bottom out, and looks awsome with the back fender well just 1/4" bigger than the front fender well rather than 2" bigger.

If you want more, 2" springs up front for a 1" net drop up front will give you a nice slight rake look. Lucky has this drop and 2" rear on his 02 HD. I plan on taking this route eventually. I already have the rear done

If you want a slammed look, 3" springs up front for a 2" net drop, and 2" hangers and 2" shackles (4" drop total) out back looks plain awsome! Although with this you'll have alot of bottoming out unless you do a c notch.
You can eliminate some of it by raising the rear shackle up to the 1" position for a 3" drop out back and it still looks cool

and lastly, if you really like the raked look, you can do the 3" springs up front (2" drop) and 2" shackles out back and keep the factory rake but be 2" lower all around. this is what outnumbered has. IMO his truck has the coolest stance out of any that i've seen pics of so far

If you want, i can post pics of examples of all these drops

hope this helps some

o yeah, forgot to mention, if you do a front drop, you'll need an alignment, and unless you have alot of the tools and know how of somesort, you'll probably have to pay to get the drop installed. and same with the rear hangers. they are riveted in from the factory and the rivits need to be drilled out and its a PITA to do, thats why alot of guys just go with shackles cuz they are really easy to install

 

Well i'm impressed! This board has a fantastic knowledge base. 356, you and all the others are amazing...thx for the great links and info. I am now getting the 2in drop for Christmas....WOOOOT!!!..

 

no problem! Just forwarding some favors and info i've learned from other people here, and adding to my VAP count

if i have time tomorrow, i'll probably post pics of examples of each of those drops for any newbies for their referance cuz the board will probably start getting alot of new members once more 03's hit the lots.

 

I'd be interested in knowing the final count for 02's. Mine is 07542.

 

12,500 something. its a few over that number. showya posted it before, i forget what the exact # was though.
they were planning on making 12,000, but went over as they usually do

 

I would like to purchase the drop kit, but Lightingforceperformance only does Paypal, and I would rather not use that service. Who else has a good price on that product that will take credit card info over the good old telephone?

Thanks

 

maybe check out the classifieds. I got my shackles from outnumbered for a great price cuz he wasn't using them with his setup.
of course the very next day after i sent him a check, a friend who got 2 sets of drop shackles sent to him in his 3/5 kit on accident offered me his spare set for free, but i already payed for a set no big deal, but thats how my luck is.
pay for something, then not long after, find it for cheaper or free

 

Stylinconcept.com has them for about $55.00 with shipping. You will have to rotate the 2 degree shim on the bottom of the leaf springs to keep the stock pinion angle. Good Luck!!!

 

you only need to rotate the shim if you experience vibration. i haven't heard of anybody with a 00 or 01 (single piece driveshaft) that had to rotate it. I've heard of about 1/2 the 02 guys that had to rotate the shim cuz the 2 piece driveshaft is more sensitive to a change in pinion angle, but there have been alot who didn't. Just do the shackles and if you have any vibration, flip it, if not, i'll be fine and no need for the extra hassle

 

Harley#356....why take a chance!!! Look at my previous posts and you will see that I am the one that posted the fix for the 2002's. Ford always sets the pinion at 0 degree from the factory. I would advise anyone that is making a change to the rear suspension hight, that they purchase a cheap ($10) angle finder from HomeDepot or Lowes and take the measurments before you make any changes. At least you will know where you are starting from!!!

 

Harley356 you have some great info to share with us. Just want to add what I did to lower my 02.

1. Dropped the front 2in, by cutting the stock springs. One it is a cheap way out, and two could not find a set of springs at the time that lowered the front end 3in. Also changed the sway bar to a larger and lighter hotchkis sway bar. Also changed all four shocks to a much needed Blistein set.



2. Lowered the rear 4in. 2in with Hotchkis shackles, 2in with Hotchkis sport leaf springs. Also added a sway bar from Hotchkis. Last had to add a set of Metco Lower link trac bars. Also changed the rims to 22s with 285/30 in front and 305/40 in rear.





The truck was very bouncy before the shocks and sport leaf springs. Rides a little ruff but handles much better. Does bottom out on occasion but is a trade off for the look and stiffer ride.

 

uh-oh, he's back ya shorten that sig yet?
just kidding did you ever get any track times in on your......vacation?

richo, all i'm saying is that if you don't have vibration, you really don't HAVE to do it. If you feel better, go at it. But a bunch of guys haven't if they didn't get vibration and are fine. Alot of the L guys actually make their angle so its negative (i think its that way) because they get better hook when the axle torques up or something like that.

 

Not just being banned for 10 days, I went on vaction for real. My truck is still in the stereo shop. It has been 3 weeks. It will be done on tuesday. Then taking it back to the speed shop for some carbon fiber boxes to be made for the NOS in the engine. Then have to finish the engine shots and stereo shots for the magazine. After all that is done then go to the track for some times. I guess what I really want for x-mas is for my truck to come back home.