was wondering if anyone is running their rear leafs and how you liked them?
i was thinking of running these with Ruslow front 1000lb coils
and eventually upgraded shocks ofcourse
thanks for the info guys

 

I have the TVS system and really like it. It handles like a go cart.

 

gocart sounds nice thanks for the quick responce

 

I agree, I just got the hotchkis kit, ruslow 1000lbs springs panhard bar and qa1 shocks put on over the weekend (thanks chuck) and it does handle like a gocart. No roll, tight as hell. It may even handle better than my svt focus. I love it. Can't wait to see how it performs at our ne-svt autocross next month.

Al

 

I agree it is a nice system, The 1000#ers are a good idea and Qa1s are the way to get a little adjustment to dial in the ride.

 

But anyone going with the Hotchkis or stiffer needs to do so with his eyes open. OEMs don't just leave handling on the table for no reason. The ride will definitely stiffen up. Anyone who says it doesn't is fooling his self. It's straight physics -- stiffen the spring, stiffen the ride.

The combination of the old Hotchkis leaves (leafs?), Hotchkis F/Hellwig R stablizers, Ruslow 1100 coils, PHB, QA1s, 295/40 runflats, and poly bushings in the control arms makes my ride tooth-rattling rough. No one has yet to ride in my truck without commenting on the rough ride. Even cups with lids will puke in my truck. I sometimes have to take my watch off to stop the metal band rattling.

Is it worth it? Yeah, but only because I'm obsessed with on-track performance. Springs are the #1 contributor to the handling -- and to the rough ride. IMNSHO, most would be far better served with shackles and cut coils, especially for a daily driver. It's cheaper, simpler, and the handling is still improved with the higher spring rate in the front and lower CG.

 

In case you wanted an idea of what the hotchkis rear leafs will do for ride height...

 

Just the old Hotchkis leafs, Hotchkis front springs and QA1's produce a ride stiffer then what I want to deal with when just cruising.

 

Tim thanks for that, i am really aware that it will tighten right up, i just got rid of fmy mustang with "handeling springs" and that was a hard ride but i liked the feel better because it was much more responsive and i had a better feel for the road. next year i am wanting to attend some of the autocross meets that the SVTOA has over here so i am sure it will help out alot
but do you really think i would just be better off cutting the front coils??? instead of the 1000 lbers?
oh yeah i would only do the rear springs with the shackles and front coils, not to much of a drop but enough to make it look a little better and ofcourse handle better
thanks guys for all your help

 

No one can accuse Tim of not being direct....

 

I just read this part.

While I partially agree, you should put in a disclaimer on the cut springs. Most people, even doing research would still not cut properly, cut to much, etc. and screw it up.

 

I don't know if may shocks were bad or what but the Hotchkis improved my ride. I did a lot of heavy towing before the install so maybe my stock shocks were trashed. I have driven friends L's with a stock set up and even shackles and would never go back. When they drive mine they just grin and say how much better it feels. I have a friend that went with the Roush but have yet to drive it. It looks a bit lower than mine.

I have posted the image before but here is what it looks like.

 

 

John893 and Her2001,

Did you lower the front of your truck? If so, what size/brand springs did you use? I like the stance of both of your trucks.

Steve

 

The Hotchkis TVS is everything. I also replace the shocks and added a camber kit while I was in there. Since the images I have added 58" bars.
The parts are so beefy they are almost comical.