I agree with the washboard road handling problems. Here in our area, the concrete highway surfaces are a bit rough, causing the truck to "hop", making for a rough ride in some spots, and also making my dentist happy when I come in to have my fillings replaced.....

 

Mark, the Roush lowering kit should definitely help. As you know, most tracks are fairly smooth (although Mosport has some rather rough transition spots). In addition to the lowering, a little tighter steering would probably help (I don't know what is available regarding a beefier dampening system (I haven't looked to see what is there on a stock unit). The brakes are a big unknown to me. Usually carbon metallic brake pads improve both the performance and "brake fee" over stock. Stainless lines also help and I am sure that something like Motul racing brake fluid would have a much higher boiling point. The other big unknown is alternative tire/wheel combinations. The Goodyear's are still somewhat of a truck compromise (which you need for towing that boat), but I suspect some combination of alternative wheel (read lighter) and performance tire (e.g., BridgestonesPoles, Michelin Pilots, etc.) would help. I think Toyo may have something as well. Good thread. I hope to run my Lightning in a BMW High Performance school at somepoint to see how it really does during extended track sessions.

JamieZ, Team Lex-AZ

99 Lightning
98 GS400
96 SL500
99 Subaru Forrester (RV tow car)

 

Hi all,

I would like start up a little discussion on the board regarding the handling characteristics of your Lightnings.

I've owned many high performance vehicles over the years and I have road raced a few so I have a pretty good baseline for my observations. I am a little weak on truck handling so that's why I'm starting this thread.

Here's what I've noticed about my Lightning.

1. It really doesn't like washboard roads, especially if it's combined with expansion joints like the older cement roadways. It will follow every contour and rattle your fillings. It reminds me of a '94 Cobra I had with the "C" sport spings.

2. The extra wide tires will "hunt" on rutted roads (not uncommon for wide radials) and it's exagerated by what seems like a very mild caster setting.

2a. On Center feel is marginal at best (see above note on caster settings)

3. The large impact loading (bridge transitions etc.) are absorbed and damped very well.

4. The rear will become unsettled with the slightest imperfection (pretty standard for live axle, stiff spring combos), especially in turns on the power (can you spell "powerslide"!)

Overall my impressions are very good and I realy like the setup, I just think there's a little fine tuning that could really clean up the package. If it had a little better high speed damping most of the up and down quirks would go away. I'm thinking Edelbrock or Bilstein shocks might do the trick. I'm going to stay away from softer springs since I will be towing a 26' Race boat that will be close to or beyond the factory rating.

A little tinkering with the front end settings should help the on center and hunting issues.

What do you think or what have you done to your suspensions? Let's talk!

Mark W.

'99 White Lightning
'99 Buell S3 Thunderbolt
'98 F-150 Lariat Extended Cab
'96 26' Velocity Race boat

[This message has been edited by Mark W (edited 10-11-1999).]

 

I recently participated in a Lone Star BMW club autocross in Mineral Wells, Texas. Most all of your observations held true. The event was held at the Mineral Ring (old airport runway). There was one long straight (actually curved somewhat) with a couple of low spots midway that became a little unsettling at WOT (60-70mph+). I had four 2-lap runs and were all timed in 3:06 (I didn't improve my time but at least I was consistant).

There were a number of M3s (with racing slicks)that ran 2:40s with other makes and models somewhat higher. I don't have the results yet so I don't really know how my times compared, but I believe it will be pretty poor. The course was set up with a number of hairpin turns which gives the advantage to vehicles with sports car type handling. Because of the huge weight penalty I had, my cornering speeds were considerably slower than most other cars.

However, the BMW guys got a kick out of the acceleration that this truck demonstrated (w/Super Chip). Power slides galore. YEEEEHAH! Probably $200 worth of rubber gone forever.

After participating in this event, I've decided to go the Roush suspension kit and try it again. I think the Bilsteins will really help.

------------------
1999 Black (Soon to be lowered) Lightning - w/Super Chip (YEEEOW!), Power Surge air kit, CD Changer, Towing Package,Grey Rhino, clear corner lenses.

 

Is there a way to improve handling, similar to the rousch kit without lowering the truck? It's too low for my liking already and I'm constantly scraping it on stuff. But, I'd love better cornering performance.

 

Increasing caster is a proven method for decreasing rain groove hunt and improving highway stability. Most Ford trucks (especially older ones with the twin I beam) will benefit from having the alignment shop set caster at the maximum of the allowable range. You auto crossers might notice a slight decrease in responsiveness, but its something to think about next time you are getting an alignment. My non-Lightening driving $0.02.