Hello,

I have a few quick things to throw out there and see if there's any advice that you guys have...

I picked up a 2002 Lightning a couple of months ago (it had 18K miles on it, and I paid $21K for it...didnt think that was too bad of a deal, seeing as how the truck was in immaculate condition), and have recently started having problems with rattling noises coming from the drivers side (sounds like the rear shock is loose or something) accompanied by a growing amount of squeaking from the bed of the truck, especially over rough road. My guess is that I need to replace the rear shocks...any thoughts, or anyone else had this problem before?

Also, since i got the truck bone stock, i am looking into upping the boost and hp....im already pretty familiar with what I need to do, but am wondering how it seems that other people that I have heard from are able to floor it and get the tires to squeal when going into second gear (with a decently hard catch). I have plenty of that off the line, but nothing after that (rear end is nice and squirrelly, though). I was thinking that traction bars and a valve body for the transmission would help to tighten that up. Any thoughts?

Thanks in advance for your help!

 

Purchase the factory Tech valve Body. It is the most common and simply the best valve body.

as for suspensin there are a ton of options.

 

A Factory Tech valve body gives you the most bang for your buck!!! We also have roush suspension kits as well. And so much more!

I'm not at the shop right now but call after 9 am est and I can set you right up.

Andy@Chickenears.com 704-521-4923
or click the pic below to go to our website.

 

Jordon, There are a lot of options when you start to make mods, heres my opinion for what its worth, do some research and make a decision as to where you want to go with your ride ( how much is enough) pick a tuner to deal with and build a relationship, I use JDM but have dealt with most of the tuners and have nothing but praise for there efforts.

 

Thanks for the responses....

I-Menace and Andy - Actually, I found the valve body at Chickenears a little while back, when i first started looking around for parts...I am interested in it, and will probably be calling you soon. Roush suspension kits are another thing i was looking for, but since I am active duty military and only going to be in the States for another 2 months (going back to Germany), theyre a little rich for my blood (we dont get paid THAT much)...Would be nice, though...

Todd - Ive been trying to find a tuning shop where I am temporarily stationed (Augusta, GA), but havent had any luck. Im not beyond driving into Atlanta, if you - or anyone else out there - know of any in the area....?

Up for grabs here - so, does the squeak/rattle sound to you guys like Im correct in assuming that its probably a shock, or is there something else i am missing? I dont have a lot of time off-duty, or access to any of my tools to get under it, so Im kinda wanting to have an idea before I go pay somebody to play around with it....

Anyway, thanks again, guys...

 

I have an 02 also and it sqeeks alot.

 

well, nothing like the simple things to make you feel dumb....

I managed to fix the squeaking noise that I thought was coming from the bed of my truck (sounded like it when I was driving, anyway)...I pushed on the bed and bumper here and there, tugged, and pulled... narrowed it down and wound up spraying the tailgate connections and latches with WD-40.

No more squeak.