Hey guys,

I put new F1s on the truck last weekend and I was a little concerned that the ride and handling didn't improve significantly, I now know why. I just got back from the front end shop and I have to tell you that alignment on the L's is critical. Mine wasn't out by much but it's a different truck now. Tracks dead straight, very little dartiness, great turn in feel and it bites harder in the corners.

The shop I went to has a unique (read, old school) style. First thing they did was install the upper A-frame cam bolts on all 4 mounting points (aftermarket kit, about 1/4 the price of the Ford part). They then made a course adjustment, drove the truck, made a tweek, drove the truck, made another tweek, drove the truck again. They kept this up until they were satisfied that it's as good as it can get. They used the SVE numbers as a guide and baseline then tweeked them based on their experience (the guy's been working the alignment rack since '81). The static numbers aren't what SVE said but the numbers with me in the truck are spot on. Had they simply adjusted it to the factory numbers on the rack I'd have too much left side negative camber, not enough toe in and about a 1 deg caster stagger. It still would have been darty and probably still pulled a little to the right but it would have been withing spec

BTW, the measurements were made on a state of the art FMC system. I wouldn't want you to confuse old world craftsmanship with old world tools.

Then again, they may only have done it this way so they could get some seat time in the L

For those of you in Orlando the shop is called Nix and Black. They are on OBT just south of Colonial. They have a book of some of the cars they've done. One of them is one of the the only Porsche 959's ever imported (technically not street legal and worth over $500,000).


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Mark Whatman
mwhatman@worldnet.att.net

• 99.5 White Lightning (stock)
• 99 Buell S3 Thunderbolt (not stock!)
• 98 F-150 Lariat (Flowmaster)
• 96 26' Velocity Offshore Race Boat (far from stock!!!)

 

I could not agree with you more!! Patience is a virtue with alignments on these trucks. Mine was also like night and day when it was finally done right. It's too bad that Ford does not see fit to pay their technicians an hourly rate instead of "book time" it would certainly pay off in a satisfied costomer!!

L8R

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99 Lightning, Black, CD
changer, Downey SST tonneau, Class 3 hitch, Ford bed mat, tinted back window,clear headlight/ foglight lenses, Pioneer speakers.
DOB: 4-28-99, ordered 12-27-98
Build #694
My one really cool toy..
(except my Mercury Parklane "hobby")

SVT RULES THE ROAD!!!!!

 

Mark W

Part # and manufacturer's name on that cam bolt kit please.

------------------
99 Black Lightning
Rhino liner
Superchip

 

Specialty Products P/N 87385
http://www.specprod.com/

1(800)525-6505

The P/N is not on their web database but I confirmed the P/N with both my shop and Specialty.

------------------
Mark Whatman
mwhatman@worldnet.att.net

• 99.5 White Lightning (stock)
• 99 Buell S3 Thunderbolt (not stock!)
• 98 F-150 Lariat (Flowmaster)
• 96 26' Velocity Offshore Race Boat (far from stock!!!)

[This message has been edited by Mark W (edited 12-17-1999).]

 

Mark W

I have to tell you this :
The Canadian branch (1-800-663-8719) directed me to a LordCo located a full 2 miles away from my house, and they do have this kit in stock.

This is how the internet should work.

Thanks !

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99 Black Lightning
Rhino liner
Superchip

 

Thanks for the info on alignment. What are the setting numbers. Thanks

 

Thanks for the tip, Mark. I'll use these guys next time I need to align the L. Out of curiosity, what did they end up charging you - that is after they paid you your standard Lightning rental for all that seat time!

Mike

 

Wild Will, Go to this thread for your info. We ended up with a good discussion on this. If the link doesn't work, the post went up 12/10/99 by Mark W.
https://www.f150online.com/f150board...ML/000713.html

------------------
99 Lightning, Black, CD
changer, Downey SST tonneau, Class 3 hitch, Ford bed mat, tinted back window,clear headlight/ foglight lenses, Pioneer speakers.
DOB: 4-28-99, ordered 12-27-98
Build #694
My one really cool toy..
(except my Mercury Parklane "hobby")

SVT RULES THE ROAD!!!!!




[This message has been edited by LightningKid (edited 01-01-2000).]

 

Mike,

I think the total bill was around $165, that's including the cam bolts. $49 alignment, $50 to install the bolts and ~ $60 for the cam bolt kit. I tried to get the standard $100 / hr rental rate but they didn't bite Obviously the cam bolt kits and installation are one time charges.

Will,

L.H. Caster: 6.7 deg
R.H. Caster: 7.2 deg
L.H. Camber: -0.5 deg
R.H. Camber: -0.5 deg
L.H. Toe: -0.05"
R.H. Toe: -0.05"



------------------
Mark Whatman
mwhatman@worldnet.att.net

• 99.5 White Lightning (stock)
• 99 Buell S3 Thunderbolt (not stock!)
• 98 F-150 Lariat (Flowmaster)
• 96 26' Velocity Offshore Race Boat (far from stock!!!)