OK Folks,

Here's the real data. I pulled the front suspension apart this weekend for some other work, so here is the side-by-side comparison of the L front coil (02) vs. the 97 F150 4.6 auto, 2wd reg cab, short bed flairside.





coil - SVT
Part # - SVT XL3V-5310-AA
Free Height - 13.8750"
# coils - 8
Spring diameter - 5.6171"
Wire diameter - 0.7734"

coil - F150
Part # - OIL F65A-5310-MA
Free Height - 14.1875"
# coils - 8
Spring diameter - 5.5781"
Wire diameter - 0.7813"

I'm gonna cut 'em (the F-150's)

Herb

 

if anybody was interested, i got a set of SVT coils on ebay right now. 1/2 coil cut off for 1" front drop. had them in the HD for about 3-4,000 miles. took them out because i wanted something lower and a bit stiffer than stock so i went with some ruslow 1000 lb'ers

not posting this up for a classified. just letting ya know.

the cut coils rode great when i had them in the truck. couldnt feel any difference over the stock spring rate, just 1" lower than stock

 

The stock Lightning spring rate is 665lbs. If you cut the spring is it better to do it from the top or bottom? I assume that the top is the side opposite to the tag??? If you only cut 1/2 loop does everything still align well?

Tb

 

have you cut them Herb?? how you making out with them
i know you dont have them back in but just wondering if you got them cut down

 

yeah, I've got two sets. both with almost no miles on them. I'll email you.

 

If you look at the spring ends, the top and bottom are different. One end (bottom, I think) actually has a bend in the end of the coil where the opposite end is cut out of the coil with no bend. The top isolator is actually ramped to take up the coil pitch at the top and sit flat in the perch. This isolator can be twisted to wherever the cut end of your coil falls. With all that said, I think it would be better to cut from the top.

Mike - no cutting yet. This weekend was spent degreasing and painting parts. I can't believe how many parts I have had to clean and prep! The frame rails are almost finished (painting) - then I can reassemble the front end. I think I am going to put everything back together stock and get the motor back in so I can measure definative before and after spindle to wheel well diminsions. I'm still waiting on the solid followers - no surprise there

Herb

 

ah i see its gona look great, hope it runs that good
and yeah no surprise that you are waiting on stuff, i guess its part of the game and thats crap

 

I hope so too!

I still have to get my hands on the SCT Pro Racer too... and the exhaust...and get the blower/plenum/tb ported.

Here's a shot of the suspension parts so far...caliper will be red once I get all four of them off.



Herb

 

how bad was it to clean off the steering box??? it looks real good
i want pics lots of pics

 

Thanks Mike!

Steering box, power steering pump and both spindles were just raw cast iron. I basically plugged all fluid holes, soaked it in Superclean (sprayed on LIBERALLY) and scrubbed the crap out of it with a steel brush. I then let it dry, wiped down with naptha, masked it off and shot the color coat. Overall - it wasn't too bad. The color on the box and the pump is actually a silver hammertone finish and the spindles are silver metalic. The frame rails will be the same silver metalic. The rest of the suspension pieces are factory coatings, just cleaned up. Calipers will be gloss red (disassembled painted and reassembled) and the rotors will be semi-gloss black. The 'look' I'm going for is what I call "factory exotic" - I want it to look like a factory supercar (GT) in a truck version - like Ford should have done to start with. The engine bay shots of the Ford GT have been the inspiration for the colors.

Don't worry - lots of pics will follow!! Once I get all the cleaning and painting done, it'll be like working in a clean room The different colors should add some nice character and contrast to the engine bay and set it apart for the typical static bling, factory bland or functional gunk looks. Just trying to do something a bit different...

Herb

 

Looks good Herb. Any suspension mods?

 

How is the ride on the 1000lb springs? What drop did you get with them?

TB

 

Thanks - none yet but I'm going back together with cut coils in front, Roush leafs out back and the ever popular clunk washers. I'll try out the cut coils for a bit then decide if I want to go to Hotchkis coils or some of Stan's stuff.

Herb

 

very cool herb
the supercar thing will look great i am sure
maybe when i get a winter beater ill be able to put mine down again for some bling mods, but ill do that next winter
oh yeah tell Lisa i said thanks for the corners they showed up today

 

Thanks Mike - glad to hear you got the corner!! I'll tell Lisa she did well (she's my secretary at work) .

Herb