This may sound like a stupid question, but if I were to replace the 2" DJM coils currently sitting on my 2" DJM lower control arms with the new Hotckis 1.75" coils, could I use a shock made for the 1.75" coil or would I have to take into consideration the 2" lower control arm as well?

I would explain my thought process behind this, but it would take forever.

Thanks.

-Monty

 

is the shock mount on the new control arms in the same position as the stock one? i would think you would not need to take into account the drop from the control arms, if they ar similar to the stockers, except a deeper spring pocket to give the 2" drop.

i don't know really, just thinking out loud.

 

Thanks! After this post I telephoned DJM who told me that the Toxic shock that comes with the kit is to compensate for the 2" coil not the 2" coil + plus the 2" a-arm control arm. So technically, all I need to do is find a new shock. The 2" coils are about 12% firmer than the stockers, so I should be fine there. I thinks it's the Toxic shocks that are ruining my ride.

I may just go with new the Hotckis 1.75" and Bilstein shock setup to ensure I get a matching setup.

Heh, now I'll have a set of BellTech shocks for the 3/4 drop and a set of 2" DJM arms + Toxic shocks for sale.


-Monty

 

There is no easy answer. My QA1's were barely long enough for the Hotchkis springs with the stock a-arms.

I installed the Hotchkis springs with 1" spacers on top, hoping to get a 1" net drop, right? No sir. I got over a 2" drop. With the DJM arms, Hotchkis springs, and no spacers, your tires would be up in the wheel wells.

So, even though I got a 2" drop, the QA1s are not nearly long enough. Now I need to go back to the stock Bilsteins until I get the front ride height sorted out (I have some Ruslow 1,100 lb springs epoxy-coated and waiting for the time to install). After I get the ride height set, then I will measure the needed shock length and get some new longer shafts intalled on the QA1's.

I seriously doubt that the Hotchkis Bilsteins would fit.

If I were you, I would install the springs, get the ride height to your liking, then measure the length of shock you need and call Hotchkis to see if they will fit.

The logic of this whole exercise is escaping me, but I know what my eyes are seeing.

 

Heh, this would be nothing new to me. As the truck currently sits, I only have about 1" between the tire and fenderwell lining. I had to remove one screw from the fenderwell linging to allow for some flex. To my surprise, other than the typical bumps on the freeway and railroad tracks on the streets, it really takes a hard turn (weight transfer) to make the tires rub. For the most part, I don't get any rubbing.

Since the DJM coils are only about 12% stiffer than stock, I would assume that a 1000lb 1.5" or 2" BellTech/Hotchkis/Ruslow coil with matching shock (probably a custom valved Bilstein or a Doetsch shock) would yield the ride I'm looking for.

A 1.5" drop coil with a matching coil would probably be ideal.

I agree with you on "...what my eyes are seeing." wholeheartedly. It's really difficult sometimes to explain some of these things without visual aid.

O.k. So you think that a 2" coil (what rating?) on the 2" DJM arms with stock Bilsteins would be appropriate?

Everyday I call different providers and ask different questions to try and learn as much as I can about the suspension of these trucks, but I still wouldn't have the slightest idea on how to go about measuring the length of the shock I would need.

By the way, did you see the 2004 yellow F-150 trucks on the cover of Truckin' mag a couple weeks ago? The yellow StreetScene truck with the gray wheels and gray racing stripes is sitting on coilovers designed by a local shop that specializes in coilover kits for BMWs and other road race car applications. I've been meaning to call the shop to get infor about such an application for a Lightning. A coilover application for F150 would probably be a huge seller?!

-Monty

 

I am not going to guess on the shock. I am going to measure two points and project the third:
1. Mounting point-to-mounting point at full extension
2. Mounting point-to-mounting point at rest
3. Mounting point-to-mounting point at full compression (estimated).

It's simple -- just slide a tape measure (or, better yet, a folding ruler) up into the shock tower from under the lower control arm.

I beg to differ with you on the coilover. There is very little interest in performance suspension parts of that level of sophistication around here. We are the 1% of the 1%.

Most either drag or just want to look pimpy -- not that there is anything wrong with either.

 

I dont mean to get off topic. But dont the DJM control arms just lower the spring seat. So i wouuld think that the shock size would be the same. Am i right?

 

Yes and yes.

It's really the spring length that determines the shock length (although travel issues must also be taken into account, and travel may change with different setups).