Hey All,

I have posted here a couple times and really enjoy the information. I have a few questions. I have a stock '02 L. I don't care for the rims.

1. Would there be a performance decrease if I switch to 20 inch rims and do most of you guys run 20 x 9.5?
2. What is the preferred tire size to run with 20's?
3. Any recommendations on a lowering kit???
4. What are the first performance modifications that would be suggested and where to look for them??

Thanks for the input. I love this truck. I have a few other "fast" Ford products

ssmike

 

I cant really help you with the tires and suspension questions but the chip, filter, pulley combo is the best way to start performance wise.

 

Rhino,

Thanks for the reply...What brand do you recommend for the pulley, chip, filter combo??

Thanks

 

 

Chip, filter and pulley is a great way to start modding. I run a JDM tuned superchip, JDM lower pulley and a JLP ram air system. I feel these are all great products. The JLP ram air simply rocks. No problems with my lower pulley and the truck should be flying once I get it back from JDM(they are custom tuning it and taking it to the track). I am sure you will get great performance from anyone's chip and pulley, I just simply like having a caged pulley. I heard PSP fast air setup is comparable to JLPs so you probably can't go wrong there either.

With the 20s you are gonna lose performance if the wheels weigh a lot more then stock. The tires are gonna weigh more. Adding rotating weight will always decrease performance. I am just gonna have my wheels powder coated and they will look great and be a lot cheaper then new tires and wheels. -Mat-

 

1. cant help you, changed my wheels but stayed with stock size.

2. I think most people like the 295/40/20 or the 285 (depends on the width of the rim though)

3. I have used BellTech before on my last truck and their stuff is very nice. I have a Western chasis kit now and its about the same. I do recomend the 3/4 drop though, its nice and level front to back, and it makes the steering nice and tight.

4. Superchip and 12" filter kit, exhaust+shiney tips are nice as well. Go to the supporting vendor page and youll find some places to get anything you need from.

www.lightningforceperformance.com www.razorsedgemotorsports.com
www.teamjdm.com
www.johnnylightningperf.com
www.powersurgeperformance.ne
www.sporttruckdirect.com

 

if you get chrome 20's it will feel alittle slower when getting on the freeway, thats where i felt it.

i run 20x9 reps... the best tire so your speedo wont be off, and for it to look pretty good is 295/40/20,

best lowering kit is either a 1'/2' which is 1inch front and 2 inch back. you can do the front with ford racing springs, eibach springs. you can do the rear w/ shackles such as belltech, western chassis, ford racing, there is alot out there.

or you can do a 3/4' drop and there are some places that sells kits.

best place i found belltech 2' drop shackles from is www.stylinconcepts.com, they have them for like $50. that will level out the truck as is right now.

best "cheap" mod is the air box mod, you put a K&N air filter in, and drill a bunch of hole in the bottom of the air box, that will increase your boost like 1psi, not major but not bad for $50.

but actually the best mod is a Chip, and a Pully. but make sure you change your plugs before doing this just for safety precautions.

 

You will get alot of different answers regarding who to but from. Your best bet would be to call each of the tuners, tell them what you want to gain and see who take a likeing to. Heres a quick and not complete list in no particular order:

Power Surge Performance
Razor Edge Motorsports
JDM
Johnny Lightning Performance
Blue Oval Performance

Someone can chime in with the ones I missed.

 

LFP too
Chickenears

 

i agree, chip and filter were my first mods and i love em. im about to get a 4 lb pulley and hopefully that will make tha truck a lil quicker. does anybody know around how much of a gain i will get from the pulley? thanks for the replies.

-Josh

 

1) Yes, assuming you'd be switching to a smaller sidewall to accomodate the larger rims, you would lose some traction with 20s. And if your 20s happen to be heavier than our stock rims (most are), then your truck will probably lose some go.

2) I think most run something like 295/40/20s. Kumho, Goodyear, Dunlop, and I think Toyo all make tires in those sizes.

3) It all depends what you want from the lowering kit and how much you want it lowered. You can do anything from a 1-2 drop to a 4-6. If you want better handling, I've heard the full Roush setup is nice, as well as stuff from Hotchkis and Ruslow.

4) I started off with a filter kit (12 inch open element) and the Factory Tech valve body and 4x4 deep sump pan. Then the chip and 4# went on weeks later. I would recommend getting your chip and pulley together since your chip will have to be burned for that particular mod. You can find all sorts of mods here or on www.nloc.net. Just do a search. You can also check out the supporting vendors forums on NLOC.