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Sorry to bug you again but the more I think about it the more I realized I should just go ahead and get the shocks! I was wondering what other shocks combinations you experimented with before settling on what your L has now, Also, how does the combination of edelbrock and doetsch tech perform on your truck? I was trying to decide if i wanted to go with Bel Tech's drop shock, Edelbrock, or Doetsch Tech on my truck! All the info you could give me from your experiences would help me a great deal, I want to get it right the first time and hopefully save some money! Also part #'s on the shocks would help a bunch, I used the part #'s you gave me for the drop kit to order it from Summit Racing! Thanks alot for your help!!
Gary

 

Gary, The set up now, I have with my shocks is almost smoother than the stock ride. I first went with the Edelbrock shocks because of the way they "advertise" how thay have a smooth ride and a piston for handling I really thought that they were not the right set up for a lowered L.! My rear end kept bottoming out. So I called Sport Truck Direct "Steve" helped me and told me that the Doetsch Tech Shocks would be the one for my lowering kit! The Doestsh Tech Shocks really helped my ride in the Rear of my L. hardly any bottoming out and a way smoother ride. I really did not want to C-section my frame. So I'm very satisfied with the rear set up now. But the Doestch Shocks for the front did not work out that well, the ride came alot more stiffer so I replaced them back to the Edelbrocks in the front now I think I have a really good set up and my L. handles and performers Awesome!

Call: Steve at Sport Truck Direct
800-876-6226
For the rear Doetsch Tech Shocks:
part number #4069G

The front shocks are Edelbrock:
part nummber #33987

I haven't heard anything good about the Bell Tech Nitro shocks that's why I didnot go with them! My friend has a lowered F-150 and his shocks leaked and he trashed them. I heard that KYB makes a good shock and so does Tokio! for lowered trucks. What you have to do is pickup a copy of Sport Truck Magazine or Truckin and call shops that advertise Shocks they are very helpful and you might find something better.
I really like my set up but my back looks a litte lower than the front so I am ordering lower Western Chassis A-arms next week so my L. will be slammed and 2 more inches lower in the front. I'll post a picture when I'm done. DJY

 

David, 2 more inches up front, that will be LOW!!! That should look awesome!! Please send me pics of it when u get it done! Im goin to order my shocks so i can drop my Lightning sometime next week, i will send you some pics when I get done with it! I really appreciate all your help, you saved me from wasting money on those Bel Tech shocks, i think im going to try the same set up you have! It looks awesome!! Thanks again David!!
Gary

 

HEY GARY, I LIVE DOWN BY ETOWNAND I JUST GOT DONE LOWERING A 00 L, USING WESTERN A-ARMS, WORKED REALLY GOOD. MY FRIEND JUST WANTED TO GO 2" & 2" SO IT STILL HAS A RAKE TO IT HE GETS THE FRONT END ALIGNED AND CHROME WHEELS PUT ON NEXT SAT MOURNING. HE STAYED WITH THE STOCK SHOCKS FOR NOW. IF YOU GO LOWER A-ARMS IN THE FRONT THE SHOCK MOUNTS IN ALMOST EXACT SAME HEIGHT AS STOCK. HERE IS A POST OF THE INSTALL. https://www.f150online.com/f150board...ML/000877.html THOSE WESTERN A-ARMS LOOK REALLY GOOD, LOVE THAT EXTRA PLATE THEY HAVE ADDED FOR STRENGTH.

 

David, will those lower control arms make the drop a total of 5 inches up front, will that be enough ground clearance for that front bumper? I went through 3 different sets of springs with my mustang to get it to set the way I wanted it to, Is your L about level with just the bel tech kit on it? Please let me know how it turns out!!
NTYLING92
I live in middeltown, we will have to get together when i get my L dropped, Im going to order my chrome wheels after winter, since I have to drive in the snow with my L (Yuck) Im gonna hate that!!! Thanks for all the info!!
Gary

 

Gary, Right now with the 3 inch Bell Tech coil my L. only dropped a 1 inch in the front. Because stock L. comes lower than stock F-150. L's, are already lowered by an 1 inch or so. My L. is level now. It is just that the front fender opening has a larging opening making the front of the L. look higher only by 2 inches with the Bell Tech kit. I want that look the front will be lower than the back. Any way with the A-arm my L. is going only drop another 2 inches that my front should sit lower than the back. So after the A-arm install I think my L. will have a total of 3 inch drop in the front of my L. Now I might have to look for different shocks for the front because of the different drop in suspension. I going to try out my L. with the shocks I have now with the new A-arms. I will let you know how it turns out. Post your E-mail address so I can send you a picture I donot know how to post pictures to the Site! Rick another L. owners helps me. Where is Middle Town??? I live in Hawaii. DJY

 

DJY, if your using dropped a-arms and your shocks work now with your lowered springs you won't have to change shocks after you install the a-arms. the shock and spring mounting points are the same the only thing that changes is the ball joint position.
GARY, roughly the L is supposed to be 1" lower than a stock F-150, so if you order 2" springs you might go down an additional inch, if you order 3" springs you might go down 2". i know belltech sells 3" springs but i think you can get too close to getting your ball joints in a bind. i did a 4" drop on my truck with 2" spings and 2" a-arms which would actually lower yours about 3", here is a pic.

i lowered the back 6" and had to c-notch my frame.if i had the same size tires front and back it ought to sit level. you could easliy lower your back end to match without cutting your frame, you would have the same rake you have now but the whole truck would be 3" lower. sorry for the long post, just wanted to give you some food for thought. we should try to get together before you lower it, maaybe i could talk stan into driving his after he gets the front end done. my email w_frahler@msn.com

 

GARY, sorry if i wasn't clear, my girlfriend thought i should clarify, when i said lower the back end to match, i meant a 3" drop so that you would lower the same amount as the front, not 6" like mine.

 

David, Here is my email address (stangoboom@aol.com) please send me some pics of those A arms installed! I think im goin to order the same shock set up that you have since you said it works out really well, my chrome wheels will be on after winter, so I will send you pics of my truck when i get everyting completed, the scary thing is my truck looks almost exactly like yours appearance wise, but Kentucky which is where i live is a long way from Hawaii so we won't have to worry about looking like twins, lol! Thanks for all your help, ill be looking forward to seeing those pics!!
Gary

 

nytling92
Your truck looks sweet!! I can't wait to get mine lower to the ground, I will probably wait to lower it til next weekend because I think im going to order my shocks for Summit and I just might as well wait til they get here! I am putting the 3 inch coil up front so I hope it works out well, im sure it will! We should get together and exchange info sometime soon. I would like to see your friends L as well. Mine is Black like his and bout the only performance mods I have so for is a cat-back and a Pro-M! I plan on getting a superchip R9 when i get some more money! Let me know when you want to get together and I'll get out of work for a day!! Thanks a bunch for all the info!!
Gary