Anyone have details on the changes to the suspension/handling of the new L? I'm wondering if any of these new parts would help my L go faster stop faster, especially in the twistys (I mean on the roadways).

TIA.



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Aaron Luck
'99 Red SVT Lightning
Superchip, Downs Air Filter, Safe-t-stop, Ford soft tonneau cover, 6 disk changer, ford bedliner, CL III tow package, 15+ coats of Zaino

'00 Black (Green got totaled) SVT Contour
KKM Induction Kit, Superchip, 73mm MAF

'90 Cardinal Red 5.0 LX Convertible Mustang
Removed intake silencer

 

As far as I know (I don't have mine yet), the only change is the tire compound and the shocks. They might have recalibrated the springs but I highly doubt it.

 

New tire compound?

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2000 Silver Lightning 13.82 (stock)
PSP 4-way
PSP Filter Kit
Snug-Lid
In the works:
PSP Pulley
Level 10 shift kit
Level 10 converter
4-Link
2000 Mercedes ML430 16.01 (stock)
1996 Donzi Z-33 (Twin 502's)81mph
In the works Muzzy ZX12-R 200++ mph 9.94 (stock)

 

I heard the shocks were replaced with Bilsteins. Anyone know if that was the front and rears or just the rears? And does anyone have any part# or price info on those? Thanks!



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2000 Black Lightning
#1326 of 4966
Born on 03/20/2000
PSP Chip
Mobil 1 10w30 synthetic oil
Best time: 13.372 @ 102.57 mph

 

[snipped out my post of wrong info]

[This message has been edited by thepawn (edited 02-22-2001).]

 

1999-2000 has Goodyear F1 Steel
2001 has Goodyear F1-GS

I think a little stickier.

 

Does anybody know who makes the shocks on the 2000 L for ford?

 

From what I've read from the SVT magazine shocks are Bilsteins all around, front springs are 1/2" lower, rears are 2" lower with a 5 leaf system as opposed to our 3 leaf system.

Andy
Blk 99 L

 

Andy,
Go look at the rear suspension on your truck and tell me how many leafs you have...

 

Hi
My 99 L has had F1-GS tires on it since day one. Also has the 5 leaf rear springs. I think the magazine is comparing all lightning suspensions with a stock 150. I have noticed the '01 L sits the same as mine.

I believe the only difference in the suspensions from 99 and 00 to 01 is the Bilstein shocks. You can get them from shockwarehouse.com, they list separate shocks for the L's. Under SVT. $65 a piece.
I think it's for better rebound control and control of the damned axle hop on turns while accelerating.

The only way I have found to stop that is to make the rear break loose, I am going to get the Bilsteins soon. (having such a big vehicle sideways in front of other people scares them, even if it's alot of fun )

 

99 SVT Bolt: That spec is vs. the stock F150, not vs. the '99-00 Lightning. The Springs did not change.

SVT Bob: Nathen says Monroe... I believe that... the shocks are not the yellow/blue Bilstein color like the '01's

Blacklight: I think we all have Goodyear F1-GS... "tire compound change" seems like a marketing line to me ?!

Both front and rear shocks changed, here is the shock dyno comparison:

 

They also changed the shock positioning on the rear axle for better "hop" control. Something to think about when changing shocks. You're not going to get all the benefits.

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2000 Red Lightning - #835 of 4966 Born 3-8-00 / Delivered 3-22-00
22% Window Tint, Clear Corners, MPulse LoPro Tonneau, AIM 2" Drop Shackles, Bed Rug, PSP Filter Kit, Other Goodies, Group Buy Floor Mats
Best time: 13.45 sec. @ 101.99 mph

2000 Red Trans Am Ram Air WS6, 6 Speed - Delivered 2-15-00 - Awesome Looking Car

My Zing.com Album Click Here

 

Are you sure? Is that compared to the F150? The '99-'00 rear shocks were repositioned compared to the F150... you're saying they have been repositioned again?

 

I think the repositioning it refers to is the fact that our rear shocks are staggered vs. the regular F150 non staggered set up. All Lightnings are the same in this respect. Thanks for all the info guys! Keep the info coming!

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2000 Black Lightning
#1326 of 4966
Born on 03/20/2000
PSP Chip
PSP Filter
Best time: 13.335 @ 103.91 mph

 

Looking at the graphs with what little comprehension I can muster, it looks like the new front shocks are softer in the midrange, but are actually a little stiffer at the limit. The rears seem to be a little softer on impact, and almost a tossup on rebound. I remember reading somewhere an interview with John Colletti (sp?) about the 2001 L, and he said the new Bilsteins were supposed to ride much better than the old Monroes. Looking at the graph, it looks like it may launch better too...