iwas just wondering...i know we all love the look and the launch of our L's but what do you guys think about the other very important factor....handling !!!...i was suprised that with the stock drop and the 18in low profiles it didnt handle better so give me some feed back on that issue ...and if you could ? suggest some mods to improve handling. maybe its just me becuase i have a m3 which is basically made for handling

 

Personally, handling isn't much of an issue in a drag race. If you want to road race on narrow, two lane, curvy roads get a gen 1. They are much better for that, but that has been dicussed here at length before. The only question of handling to most of us is front to rear weight transfer at launch.
noelvm

 

gen 1 as in a 2001???sorry dont know that much about L history i just love them

 

Gen 1 is a 1993 thru 1995 Lightning. That truck will corner the hell out of a gen 2 (which is a 99 thru 02, if they make an o2)
noelvm

 

Hi,
My L is my daily driver and my work keeps me in it most of the day. Handling is an issue with me too. I've only had the L a few weeks so I am still in the learning curve. Basic handling suspension parts include springs, shocks, antisway bars. These are the things I'll be researching.











"I'm not tailgating. I'm drafting."

 

Lowner

I have been amazad at the handleing of My 2000 L. A Friend of mine did a fair amount of the track testing of the L for Ford an claimes that the Cobra R at that time was the only Ford that could out hussle an L at the race track. I have borrowed a 2000 L with BFG autocross rubber and in one run Missed winning F-Stock by .5 sec. Thats not bad. I was peaking 1.2 gs Left and 1.1 gs Right with about 1.0gs sustained. Granted the rear axle and 295s don't make for a great setup in the bumps but the traction that these trucks get defys explanation. Remember that you are comparing our truck with what is arguabaly the best handleing car sold in America for the street. Just go drive a GMC van or a stock f-150 work truck ....

I would bet that you need just need a little more seat time in the clover leafs to feel more comfortable at the limit. The steering feel is a little soft compared to a M car and you my be just thinking that you are out of truck.

Hope this helps

 

Thanks for that info. I traded a 2001 Supercrew for the L so I am familiar with the stock F150. That's one reason I traded.
The SCCA sets up an autocross track in the parking lot at Turner Field (the Atlanta Braves) periodically. I am planning on taking the L there in stock form and PUSH it.

 

Lowner,

I've run my '99 Cobra there (at Turner Field) It a fun place to run. The Atlanta region used to run at Atlanta Motor Speedway, TF has alot better surface. I want to get back into SCCA racing but I've GOT TO get a set of tires first.

Go, you'll have a blast.

 

wouldnt it go faster if you DROVE it ???!!!!

seriously, do a "search" and type in suspension, or better yet lowering. Tons of info already posted about making it handel better

 

Try Hotchkis Performance for handling improvements. If you and looking for handling to rival your M3 it is not going to happen. I have had 3 M3's and have an 2002 M3 on order. Comparing apples and oranges. Your can make a very respectable handling truck, but it is still a 5000lb truck. Or if you want to spend the big bucks talk to Mike at Lightning performance. He has an IRS setup for the Lightnings.

 

Check out for lowering kits"

http://dontblameme.virtualave.net/lo.../lowering.html

 

2fast4you:
I'll have to agree with noelvm on this one. Although there is no data (aka proof) showing that the Gen1s are faster, from all the comments I've read about the handling, they must be faster on corners. It's the only time that the "seat-o-meter" matters. Of course, the time that it takes to get around an entire road course includes straights but that must be ignored.

So, if you want to drive a truck built with exceptional handling, find a used Gen1. If you own a Gen2, ignore handling and braking. You're only allowed to drive it straight and not allowed to use the brakes, unless it's at the end of a 1/4 mile or at a stop light.

I'm surprised Ford sold the Gen2 with a steering wheel and brake pedal. Just imagine if they took those $$'s and made it go faster in the 1/4 mile!

Spike

 

now, now Spike....you must have forgotten your wheat germ this morning. Get that flat, wet thing out of your cheek!

Ridgebacks rule and they love their little pit bull brothers.

Dan

 

We've gone over this many a times, but take them both to reputable auto-x course and you'll see the Gen 2 smoke it.

LoL, okay, I'll shut up now

BfB

 

thank you