Is this the way to go seeing there will be no more roush lowering kits.
Thanks Bob

 

I am very seriously considering purchasing that kit. Will wait to see what others have to say. While we are on the subject, to anyone who might know, is there really any reason to change out the stock shocks?

I have a 03 with a little under 5k on it so figured I might be able to use the stock ones a while.

Also, the kit states 1.5” drop on the front and 2.5” drop rear. On a 03 will there be more then a 2.5” drop on the rear?

 

TTT

 

I put the Hotchkis TVS system on my '03, 1.5"/2.5", back in Oct '03 and have had no problems with it, not to mention it handles great and gives the L a better look. I have QA1's in the rear and the stock Bilsteins in the front but I'm soon switching to Hotchkis' HPS1000 struts in the front. Hotchkis says it drops in 1.5" & 2.5", but it sure seems lower than that, anyone else put it on an '03/'04 that thinks the same??

 

What about vibration in the rear from pinion angle? Did you have to do anything with the shims in the rear? I would love to see a pic of an 03/04 with only the Hotchkis kit, no extra drop with different rear shackles.

 

Here is my 03 with just the TVS system

 

I'm thinking TVS too but I already have 2'' shackles. Will I need to ditch the shackles if I put on the kit? If I don't ditch them then I would be at a 1.5/4.5 I'm thinkin that might look a little weird.

 

Don't have any vibration, it comes with leaf springs in the rear so it drops the rear down evenly. Here's a link of what it looks like lowered with the Hotchkis kit, no drop shackles: http://fordtruckworld.tenmagazines.c...n-526949-pos-1

 

man these mods are something else... I wasn't posting an add... WTF, I was just stating I have an unused kit in box and I haven't decided to install it or sell it... That is not an add... Jesum...

 

Adam your truck is one of the cleanest looking DSG out there

 

How do the Hotchkis leafs affect the ride??

 

That question will elicit subjective responses. People will say "it's not much rougher" or "it didn't make it rougher at all." Those answers are incorrect.

The answer is actually objective. The increase in roughness is directly proportional to the increase in spring rate.

For the old Hotchkis leafs (leaves?) that I have, it roughened the ride up a bunch. My truck rides like a Nextel Cup car. That's the plain truth. It's a tradeoff that is inherent in the performance/comfort compromise.

But at triple-digit speeds, it inspires confidence. That's what I wanted, and that's what I got.

My mods are:

Front:
DJM upper and lower control arms (2" drop, urethane bushings)
Ruslow (Hypercoil) 1,100 lb springs
QA1 shocks
Hotchkis anti-sway bar
ProThane anti-sway links/bushings

Rear:
Hotchkis leafs (old 278 lb version)
DJM 1/2" drop shackles
QA1 shocks
Metco lower link traction bars
Ruslow panhard
Hellwig anti-sway bar

 

The TVS kit has always been one of my favorites... I wish I had the cash to spend on it.

 

Yeah the ride does get a bit more rough, but that's the sacrifice for a lowered look and better handling, but the kit is definitely worth it if that's what your looking for I highly recommend it

 

I have used a slightly different approach using the Hotchkis front bar, Hellwig rear bar and keeping the rear stock springs. I have observed that the ride quality is very dependant on what is done to the rear suspension. In order the increase rear spring rate, either Hellwig or Summit adjustable traction springs can be used. These traction springs can significantly increase spring rate on demand for track use and also have the benefit of reducing axle hop and improving traction.

I am very pleased with the results and the civility of the ride on the street.

TB