I know there are a million threads on suspension but there is one thing Im curious about. My 01 has 17,000 miles on it and the thing bounces all over the place. My wife hates to ride in it and Im getting fed up with it myself. Could the shocks already be worn out? Seems like low miles to have to replace the shocks.

Im a shadetree mechanic but Im a little skeptical about playing around with the suspension especially since you need camber kits, herb washers and all sorts of other things Ive seen in other suspension threads.

I just read this page

http://captainoblivious.tripod.com/l.../lowering.html

Isnt there another page that describes all the kits? I might be biting the bullet and going with the Roush.

 

With each Lightning comes a compromise. They are a truck and meet a given criteria for GVWR. That means the rear springs will be pretty stiff because they need to capable of being loaded to a given amount of total weight - just under 6000 pounds for 1999 to 2002 and just over 6000 for 2003s and 2004s. They also have a very heavy rear axle assembly and fairly heavy tires and wheels. Ride is a function of several variables, including spring rates and the ratio of sprung to unsprung weights. The lighter you can make the axle and tire asembly (the unsprung weight), the better it rides. Likewise, if you put a load in the bed, you increase the sprung weight and it rides better. The theories are great, but how do you fix it? It is easy and free. Simply jack up the rear of the truck and put it on jackstands. Remove the u-bolts from one side at a time. Remove the bolt that holds the five leaf springs together. You'll need to grab the head of the bolt with vise-grips because it is round. Remove one leaf; either the middle or the next to longest leaf. They'll just slide out. Put the spring pack bolt back in, replace the u-bolts and do the other side. The rear will drop down about 1 1/2 to 2 inches. The ride will be better and your wallet will not change. re-adjust the headlights, cause they'll now be too high. Keep the leaf you removed in case you ever need to replace it. I've done it on several Lightnings and 2 F-250's. I use one of the F-250's to tow a 9800 pound boat. The ride is better and it tows just fine...... Oh, to be fair to the critics: Removing the leaf will make for a slight decrease in your low end traction. If you're into to doing lengthy burnouts or go to the track a lot, you may need to add traction bars.

 

hey there kerno,

you wouldnt happen to have any picts of this
leaf removal would you? if so, i'd love to
see a pictoral "how to" if you dont mind.
thanks for the support either way.

also, any difference(s) between the 01-02,
and the 03-04's. i heard the 03-04 had
rivets and the prior years had a bolts?
i know, i'm lazy....i'll crawl under there
tomorrow and take a look for myself.
just thought i'd take a shot and ask
to save me some back bending.

 

kwad,

as stated by kerno this works, I have done a few, all that I have done have had a bolt & nut holding the pack together. The head of the bolt is round so it will fit into the spring "perch" located on top of the rear end.


Jon