Guys, I did a search and found too many topics and didn't feel like weeding through everyone of them to find the info I need. Anyway, I have one question. I want to lower my truck 1 to 2 inches all around in anticipation of getting lower profile 20" tires. (The tires I have now are 295-45-20s, and I'm going to a 295-40-20 tire.) I already have 2" shackles in the back.

What do I need to accomplish the 1" to 2" drop? Can I put a different shackle in the back and just do a spring change in the front? Or do I need to swap shocks in the front along with the springs?

 

Classic...

 

I put a set of Eibach Pro-Kit lowering springs on the front of the Lightning and it dropped about 2 inches. You really don't need new shocks if you are keeping the drop conservative. The ride is a little tighter but not harsh. Good Luck!!!

 

Rick,
Thanks for your post! What did you do with the rear end of your truck? How did you get it to sit level with the front? Or, do you have the raked look??? There's no bounce in the front suspension after dropping 2" with just springs and not adding new shocks??

 

Stroll into the parts counter at your local Ford dealer and ask 'em for the lowering kit. It's actually the Ground Force setup repacked for Ford. It has the 1 inch drop front coils and the 2" drop rear shackles in the kit at about $ 150.00. As the L is delivered, it has fixed alignment spacers in the front end. You'll also need to buy either the Ford "cam washers" or aftermarket "cam bolts" to allow the front end to be re-aligned. The part number for the cam washers is listed in the instruction sheet in the Ford/Ground Force kit. They really should be a part of the kit, but they'll cost you about another $ 20.00.

 

RKoenig,
I used the JLP lowering shackles in the rear. I only went with a 2" drop in the rear to keep the pinion from needing to be shimmed. The Eibachs dropped the front more than the advertised 1" so the truck still has a little rake to it. No vibration or harsh ride and it has been over a year since I installed everything.

 

If you're after that Buick Roadmaster sponge 'ride', then Eibarf's are for you. Don't think for a split second they will help in the cornering dept. They are NOT handling springs, period paragraph.

Bob

 

Speeding Bob:
Since I have never had a ride in a Buick Roadmaster, I will defer to your expertise in making the comparision. How long did you have the Eibach's on your truck, and what do you have on now? If your evaluation comes from reading other peoples opinions on other threads, I suggest you reserve judgement until you have actually used the product. Compared to the stock springs, the Eibach's are a great improvement. I know this from personal experience!!!

 

Rick,

I had a set of Eibachs on my truck for approximately 3 months and HATED the product AND Eibach's 'tech support' as they literally didn't know which end was up for the install and would not convey the spring rate range. For that, they are both crap in my book.

They were replaced with a set of 1000 lb specific rate coils from Ruslow. Almost the same drop with much more predictability in the corners (street and road course) and they don't loosen dental work either.

Eibachs are decent for boulevard cruising and perhaps drag racing but, again, they are NOT suited for sprited cornering. Too soft = potential for major understeer.

A quick search on my screen name and Eibach as the keyword will turn up several discussions on this very topic.

In summary, my opinion is base on personal experience with these so-called performance springs. Hence my input. Lesson learned for sure.

Bob

 

Speeding Bob:
Thank you for the great comparision. Whenever I search, I find opinions based on hearsay as opposed to actual experience. My spirited driving is limited to the occasional foot to the floor for a brief adrenaline rush. I am looking to do some autocross and track driving next season so I will be taking your evaluation into consideration. Thanks for the info.

 

I just installed the Hotchkis coil springs, Hotchkis/Bilstien shocks all the way around and the JLP shackles in the lowest position on my 00 L. Very nice ride up front. The rear is a bit rough on the bumps and the rake was lessened but still exits. I may go for the hangers as well to level the truck out. The JLP shackles do not drop 2-3-4 as stated. The 4 is more like 2.5 and there are many discussions on that subject.

The drop does require a cam bolt kit form either ford or Hotchkis and an alignment.

Good luck with your lowering project!

 

Nice Thread! Very helpful.

The cam bolt kit refered to is much nicer if you buy the Ford rather than the NAPA

Ford numbers

Cambolt #F65Z-3C178-AA $7.94ea

Cam Washer # F65Z-3B236-BB $6.48ea

You need 4 of ea. and use the old nut and flat washer.

Thanks
Greg

 

What's nicer about it?

Do I now have one more thing to replace?

 

Eibach = coil bind, even when brand new.

Unacceptable.

 

Which coils? The 1915 or the 1939?

According to the peeps on the board here, 1915 are the old coils that are rated at 960. The 1939 are supposed to be rated at 830. HOWEVER, the folks over at Hothckis say the 1939 are the higher rate coil?

I installed the 1915 yesterday and they still seem a little too soft.