I just got through lowering my L with Eibach springs and 2" drop shackles. While I was under the truck I decided to remove my hitch and spare tire. I was wondering since I just took off around 100 pounds from the rear of my truck, will this reduce my traction at launch on the street? If it does I was thinking about putting the spare back on.


Thanks,

HANKFAN

 

Mine has definitely gotten more squirrely since I took the hitch off but the temp has dropped an average of 20* or more since then too. Have to roll into the throttle in first and all to often when it shifts to 2nd the speedo jumps to 75 and stays until I let off or she finally grabs...not that I'm complaining mind you. Having smoke coming off the tires at 55-60 is rather wild.

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Red '00 Lightning,
Power Surge Performance enhanced,
Sound effects provided by Flowmaster,
375 RWHP,
445 RWTQ,
13.227@103.55
Track Videos




[This message has been edited by 4D THNDR (edited 12-26-2000).]

 

in one word "yes"

 

HANKFAN - I did the same thing as you - removed the trailer hitch and spare tire - I wound up placing the spare back on the truck. The L did not handle well - off balance - with the spare back on it felt much better. I then tried something else - bought a new SVT wheel and F1 - replaced the original spare - this beast is now very well balanced - the suspension is stock - engine only has a K&N - ASP 2lb blower pulley - Alternative Performance trans chip. I don't race mine at the track - the L was engineered as more of an open road vehicle - quite like the Chevy Impala SS. Oh - the spare tire/wheel on my truck was a Firestone Wilderness HT with a steel wheel - put that next to the SVT/F1 combo and check the height difference - the HT is about 1" taller - not good for the rear axle or handling of the vehicle. With that trans chip installed keeping the rear from breaking loose is a real challenge! The total weight savings in my case is around 64 lbs. The rake is 1" - 32.5" front/33.5" rear. Cruiser

 

Well I don't have a L but with mods I am making a decient amount of torque with my F150. When I removed my hitch I could punch it at 30 mph break loose and leave a two foot stripe. I don't do very much towing so for me the hitch removal was one of my best mods.

 

You need some weight and I will certainly say from experience,It will REDUCE wieght and make your ET worse .You will spin more.I took off the hitch and left the spare.I did it for looks.With just the spare,I can still take off hard.Without both you just cant.

 

Do all Lightnings come with a hitch? I bought mine used and it has the spare installed, but no hitch. The wiring socket is there.

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99 Lightning, Bassani exhaust. No ET yet.
Sold- 98 Cobra. FM 2 Chamber, K&N, Steeda Triax, 4.10's, MAC offroad H. Best Cobra 1/4mile 13.8.
Sold- 96 Z28 ATI Procharged

 

It was an option on the '99's so it may not have had one.



------------------
Red '00 Lightning,
Power Surge Performance enhanced,
Sound effects provided by Flowmaster,
375 RWHP,
445 RWTQ,
13.227@103.55
Track Videos

 

In '99 I believe it was an option, 2000+ its standard.

Daniel