My "new" hotchkis TVS. Absolutely LOVE it.

 

That does look good. What are your measurements both front and back from the center of the wheel to the lip on the fenders?

TB

 

NorCalLightning - The front of my truck is lowered 1 inch. I put in FRPP front coils... I have been told that most springs. the FRPP, Hotchkis, Belltech are all going to give you the same drop. However I don't think mine is as low as AmoJohnny's... I still need to have it aligned, and maybe that will help? I might even just cut my front springs and see how that works!

It does look a hell of a lot better then stock in the rear!

Now that it's lowered this picture looks fake.

 

Hey Mike, When are you gonna let me detail the Lightning?

 

haha this is Steve's buddy huh?


Tim or Stan
i would still like to know what or i should say how much to cut a stock coil down. and yeah this truck is mostly street driven(97% or the time)

 

Search is a wonderfull thing.


https://www.f150online.com/forums/sh...%2A+stock+coil
https://www.f150online.com/forums/sh...%2A+stock+coil

And if you have never cut a coil before, pay extra special attention to Ruslow's post here:
https://www.f150online.com/forums/sh...%2A+stock+coil

 

sonic blue looks sweet with the red tails!!!

 

thanks captian but i have looked at those threads already
and i wast asking how to do it i was asking an opinion so this post makes no sense
thanks for bumping up the thread tho

 

Read them again. From what was posted 1 coil = about 1.25" drop, give or take a little.

You are probably going to cut about 1 coil off. I'd cut 1/2 a coil off first, drive it around and see if you can feel a difference in ride and stance. If that doesn't suite your needs then go for another 1/2 coil. It may be more work then you'd like to do, but it is better then cutting to much on the first try.

 

very true more work but cutting to little is always better than cutting to much
but i still dont know if i would be better off going with the ruslow springs
and i am gona want and need closer to a 2 inch drop up front

 

For 2" you will need to cut 1 1/3 to 1 1/2 coil. If you go with 1000+lb coil make sure your fillings in your teeth are in tight.

TB

 

If you are going for a 2" drop in the front, you may want a little stiffer spring to keep from hitting the bump stop all the time. The Hotchkis fronts dropped me a little over 1" in the front, and even with the shortened Hotchkis bumpstops I bounce off quite a few times.

I'm not sure how much the stock spring rate increases as coils are cut off. But I'd put money down that they will be nowhere near that of the 1000lb coils, they may not even reach the stiffness of the Roush or Hotchkis springs.


Also think of it this way, cutting coils is free. If you don't like the results then go for the springs through ruslow, you'll only be out time and a set of stock springs. Though personally for the drop you want, I really don't think cut stock springs will be good.



On a side note though,

Tim - have you ridden in a truck that has the new Hotchkis rear leafs? If so, how do they compare in ride quality and handling to the older stiffer ones? No one around here has the new ones for me to compare.

 

Sure you are. The spring rate increases in direct proportion to how much is cut off. Cutting one coil on a 10-coil spring makes it 10% stiffer.

I have not.

 

man i have stock springs now and i can hit the bump stops
i didnt want to cut the stockers to much if at all as i was thinking af keeping all the stock stuff just in case. guess i might have to go with the hotchkis but i want and kinda need atleast a 2 inch drop in the front as with the rears i just got and the shackles i have it will be something to the effect of 3 1/2 out back
maybe ill just pick up a set of lower control arms from WC or the like
thanks for all the info guys

 

When I started to modify my suspension, I first established that due to the poor quality of the roads around here, the vehicle had to remain civil for daily use. I have continued to fine tune it and IMO the result are pretty damn good. The vehicle has a nice stance with a 16.75 front and 17" rear. I have many similar parts has many of you:

QA-1s, Hotchkis front bar, Hellwig rear, Ruslow PHB, poly bushings everywhere including the control arms...

The rear has allot to do with how the vehicle rides. For that reason, I have kept the stock springs. When I want to bring up the spring rate,(for the track) I crank up my Hellwig traction springs. They make a significant difference in spring rate, elimite axle hop, increase load capacity, are adjustable, fully clamped down they will raise the rear 1/2" and only cost $60 at JC Whitney. (exclusively).

For the front, I add spring rubbers at the track to increase spring rate. These are the same as the ones used by Nascar to adapt to various tracks.

With this the truck rides great on the road and is stiff when I want it to be at the track. The next item on my list will be the Belltech spindles (once the issues are solved) which will put my ride exactly where I want it to be and increase front suspension travel.

My approach has been very gradual. I have learned from several other members as well from my own word and I am glad to share my experience with others.

TB