I think Spike and I were the first to try the Hotchkis. I like mine but stock shocks are not an option. Payload is rated at 800 lbs. I have had 1000 lbs in the back and did not bottom (smooth road). Launching I think is a wash. You lose a little do to stiffness but you also gain a little do to a more linear motion. The more leafs in your spring stack the more arc your axle will make through it's range of motion. The Hotchkis is a two leaf stack that has very minimal swing. To do it all over again I would scap the rear axle and slip in a built 8.8" and 4-link. Shocks are the weak link. The sway bars would be the last item to add. Try thr Hotchkis fronts, Ruslows sliders, QA-1's (also Ruslow), and Ruslows pan-hard bar. I doubt you will still need the sway bars. For me the pan-hard did more to stabilize the truck than the Hotchkis bars did.

 

Silver-bolt,

I'm just curious, but I've seen your set-up or a similar set-up on a number of trucks. Is there a specific reason to use Hotchkis front coils over Ruslow's coils? Everything except the coils came from Ruslow anyway.

Chris

 

Here is how much clearance I had with the stock bump stops and the Hotchkis leafs:

I bought some neat Energy Suspension bump stops at Pep Boys:

I like the progressive nature of the stops.

 

1. Hotchkis told me and advertised 800 lb. payload.

2. I don't recall opining on 60' times or launch--my only relevant observation is that the stiff springs and shocks cause the rear to chatter more on rough pavement. I doubt this would be a problem at any self-respecting drag strip.

3. The stock shocks measured eye-to-eye per QA1's instructions with the Hotchkis installed were (on ground/on lift) front: 14 3/8, 16.0; rear 19 3/4, 23.0. But I would still order them through Stan Martin. He will make sure you get the right shocks and you can order his trick rear mounts.

Good luck on your lowering exploits.

p.s. -- I'm not done yet. Bought some DJM upper and lower control arms for another 1" or so in the front. Going to add 1/2" shackles in the rear for another inch or so. I think a 2/3 drop is just about right visually for my '01. With the Hotchkis leafs, you should be at the same ride height on your '03, as it appears that the leafs were the only things which were changed.

 

as a side note, that makes 2 mentions of using aftermarket lower control arms that I have heard. I am a little leary of tubular control arms for this reason: look closely at the front wheel in the picture.

I've personally had one fail while I was driving, luckily I was just backing out of my parking spot, I could have been driving down a two way street at speed or taking an exit ramp, or who knows? I could have lost control and braking at speed and gone into oncoming traffic! Frankly, this was on a comparatively lightweight stang, our trucks weigh a ton, thats why the stock lower control arms are so beefy. I wouldn't even think of using tubular arms on my truck, there's alot of stress on that part when turning and braking a 5000lb vehicle. just my .02

later,
chris

 

From reading tim skelton's site (excellent site, great job tim. It's everything you need to know for a true all around performance lightning buildup. I would consider a Lightning Bible. Everyone go to tim's site NOW! ), And also from reading posts here, NLOC, Lightningforums.com FLA SVT, and any other place on the internet with good information, here is what i concluded would be an ideal handling setup. Not sure about load capability and comfort.

Hotchkis rear leaf springs and swaybars
Ruslow 1100Lb Front Springs
QA1 shocks from stan too
Ruslow Panhard Bar
Traction Bars (pick your favorite. Theoretically none should interfere with handling and most should aid it slightly by keeping the geometry in place

For load capacity, maybe some helper airbags if you need to tow or carry heavy loads and need a level, well beahved truck.
(I think hellwig makes a setup)

Any thoughts from someone with a similar setup would be great.

 

If you saw the DJM control arms I have here, you would not worry. They are built like a tank. If anything, I am disappointed that the are so heavy. I hope that I am not adding suspension weight.

Thanks for the heads up, though.

 

Thanks for the kind words, Mister. All I did is the same as you--read everything I can get my hands on, ask the right questions, and report the information I gathered.

 

I went with the full Hotchkis kit, and the QA1 shocks based on my own research, and in no small part Tim Skelton’s site (Thanks Tim). After 1500 trouble free miles, I know I made the right decision. I have no idea why Hotchkis keeps telling people that the stock Bilstein’s will work fine.

I am now patiently awaiting Tim’s results with the control arms before finding my additional 1’ drop. I understand that I am not going to get a M3 out of a crew cab truck, but I do place my suspension priorities on handling.

 

Ayrton, have you experienced any of the oversteer tendencies that seem to be part of this hotchkis kit?

If so, is it prominent at all speeds, or only a gremlin that rears its head at high or low speed?

how does the truck feel in spirited street driving up to about 60mph in sweepers? planted?

 

With my setup and proper tire pressure in the stock F1s (my best times were with 40 all around), I experienced NO oversteer problems with the Hotchkis setup at a recent track event (mostly SoloII-type stuff, but speeds on the back straight were 100+). In fact, the truck performed perfectly--just a hint of understeer, which could be controlled with "right-foot steering." Mostly, I got fantastic four-wheel drifts. The back end only came around once, and that was on a tight off-camber turn with marbles on the surface (I saved it and didn't even hit a cone).

This was confirmed by several other drivers who took a turn with my truck, one of which was the runner-up at the SCCA Pro Solo national championships this year.

I previously had only slight oversteer issues--it just made the truck feel a little "spooky" at speeds. Bringing the rear anti-sway bar up towards the frame with the So-Cal links seems to be what got rid of that feeling.

 

The only reason I sugessted the Hotchkis front springs vs Ruslow's is the spring rate. He stated he did not want too stiff of ride. I figure the 850lb Hotchkis would be about as stiff as you would want to go. Throw in urethane bushings and 1100lb springs things get pretty stiff for a daily driver. Myself I like that. Most do not. For all out handling the 1100's would be a better choice.

 

Now you guy's have me worried about the Roush setup I purchased. It came in and I was just waiting for the new truck to come in. Is my truck going to ride like a tank? I wanted a lower and better handling truck but not if it is going to beat me to death! That's why I bought a Roush kit....I thought if it came from Roush it would be perfect.

Jerry

 

well, thanks everyone, I guess I made up my mind. I've ordered the Hotchkis springs (front and rear) and decided to try their sway bars this time. expensive, but if nothing else lightweight and larger diameter bars.

I've sent an e-mail to ruslow (stan?) asking about getting some shocks and hardward/mounting equipment.

BTW, if anybody cares, Summit has the QA1s for only $139.95 each! thats only 559.80 for a set versus anywhere from $650-$900 a set from "others".

later,
chris

 

I am sure that is for the shock alone. You will still have to get a mounting kit for the F-150. I would order from Stan just to be sure.