Hey guys. I'd like your help on deciding which suspension kit would be a better choice for me.

I'm pretty happy with the stock handling for now in terms or roadholding, but the body roll is massive and I don't want any of that spooky side to side movement of the rear axle.

This truck is going to be daily driven, and I like to take some well laid out roads aggressivley

That being said, it won't be seeing autocross or open track duty in the hear future, but i would like to get a handling-oriented setup.

How does each kit ride compared to stock? What exactly does each one include? I've seen the pictures of superfords 03 with the hotchkis and Jerry's with the roush, and it looks like both of them keep a nice rake, which I like, but the hotchkis
is about an inch higher overall.

Considering my needs, what do you guys reccomend?

 

Don't get either. Just get a larger front anti-roll bar.

If you want better handling go Roush.

If you want it lowered go Roush.

The Roush also has a real nice ride to it, payload is halfed though.

 

I definitely want to get the a$$-end out the air though. slap it down where it belongs lolol

 

Who makes a larger front bar?

 

I offer the Helwig upgraded front & rear sway bars for the Lightning/HD and the Hotchkis.
Helwig is sold seperately
Front............................................. $145.00
Rear.............................................. $149.00
Hotchkis is sold as a kit only
Front/Rear....................................$459.00
Drop the tail to even with a set of Bell-Tech 2" drop shackles...$50.00
Front can be dropped 1" with Bell-Tech front coils........$149.00
or Eibachs progressive front spring 1.5".............................................. .................................$149.00
All you would need is a set of good shocks.

Mark/LFP
www.lightningforceperformance.com

 

Mark, are the swaybars included for 459? Or is that just for the springs? Thanks.

 

The $459.00 price is for the Hotchkis sway bar (front/rear) kit only. Then add the $149.00 for front springs and then $50.00 for the Shackles.

Mark/LFP
www.lightningforceperformance.com

 

So what does the extra $165 for the Hotchkis get you? How thick are each of the sway bars?

 

What does the roush kit come with and where can I get it, I am pretty interested now.

-Patrick

 

The Hotchkis rear bar is only marginally thicker than stock (1" versus .9"). The front, however, is 1.5" and hollow, versus the stock 1.2" solid bar. Note, however, that the stiffness of the bar is proportional to the diameter of the bar raised to the 4th power, so a small increase in diameter yields a large increase in stiffness.




http://www.timskelton.com/lightning/...on.htm#systems

 

Does anyone know the dimensions of the Hellwig bars?

Thanks,
Edward

 

I was thinking about this again so I brought this thread back from the dead.

I've read about the roush kit that it provides a softer ride than the hotckis, but i've also read about it having a much harder ride.

Which is it? Seeing another sonic blue 03 dropped with the roush kit on nloc has me thinking again.

 

Hotchkis drop on an 03



Roush Drop on an 03



Help me pick!

 

Check your e-mail....

Hotchkis...Hotchkis...Hotchkis...Hotchkis...Hotchk is...Hotchkis...

 

Mistergadget,

I don't know if you'll benefit from a Lightning owner that's experienced both kits firsthand, but I can vouch for the Hotchkis. It is nothing short of awesome. Awesome for my application that is. I wanted to drop the truck some, improve handling, improve appearance without a considerable sacrifice in ride quality or weight carrying capacity...the Hotchkis kit met all those requirements. Even a week later, I can't believe how pleased I am. Good luck in your decision!

Gary