Update on Finally lowered ( Little long)
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Joined: Dec 2001
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From: Teays Valley, WV
Update on Finally lowered ( Little long)
Well, its been a couple weeks since i started my lowering project, and im glad to say that its finally done! It started out great. As many of you remember I went with the 2" drop Super A Arms from Sporttruckdirect.com and with the Adjustable 3-5 " hangers and belltech shackles i already had.
Well, after installing the rear hangers, which went very easy since i removed the bed first, ( Just a few bed bolts and a wiring harness connector) I went to install those Super A arms. To make a long story short.....they didnt fit well. Three big things were wrong with them.
1.) The new sway bar links wouldnt even come close to bolting back up again. ( they said they have two different styles for the L...depending on each application since Ford used whatever control arms where on the shelves that day ...not depending on what year L it was.)
2.) The bump stops made into the new A arms were not aligned to even come close to hitting anything.
3.) The new A arms after installed on the passenger side I noticed something funny. It didnt have the same turning radius as before. So i measure the turning radius with the new arms and then took them off and measured the original arms. The New A arms cut the Turning Radius by 15 degree's. The new A arms had a steering stop that stuck out farther than the factory stops...I guess you could have ground it down.
But anyways...I didnt like the idea of having to modify three different things to my new A arms...so i decided to ship them back. But I would like to say that Sporttruckdirect.com accepted them back with no problems...after i told them of my concerens. So kudo's to them.
So instead of the new A arms, i ordered the Belltech 3" drop coils for the front from stylinconcepts.com ( $169). That was this monday afternoon...and got them at my door on wednesday at 2 p.m. Great service! I installed them yesterday along with the new Cam adjusters on the top A arms. The truck looks great....should have went with the Belltech 3-4 drop in the first place...But I guess we all learn from our mistakes dont we? LOL.
Also I must say that I am happy with the ride....much softer than i expected from drop coils. Hope to get some pics of it this weekend. Thanks to all that helped out! And I wouldnt hesistate to order from either company above.
Well, after installing the rear hangers, which went very easy since i removed the bed first, ( Just a few bed bolts and a wiring harness connector) I went to install those Super A arms. To make a long story short.....they didnt fit well. Three big things were wrong with them.
1.) The new sway bar links wouldnt even come close to bolting back up again. ( they said they have two different styles for the L...depending on each application since Ford used whatever control arms where on the shelves that day ...not depending on what year L it was.)
2.) The bump stops made into the new A arms were not aligned to even come close to hitting anything.
3.) The new A arms after installed on the passenger side I noticed something funny. It didnt have the same turning radius as before. So i measure the turning radius with the new arms and then took them off and measured the original arms. The New A arms cut the Turning Radius by 15 degree's. The new A arms had a steering stop that stuck out farther than the factory stops...I guess you could have ground it down.
But anyways...I didnt like the idea of having to modify three different things to my new A arms...so i decided to ship them back. But I would like to say that Sporttruckdirect.com accepted them back with no problems...after i told them of my concerens. So kudo's to them.
So instead of the new A arms, i ordered the Belltech 3" drop coils for the front from stylinconcepts.com ( $169). That was this monday afternoon...and got them at my door on wednesday at 2 p.m. Great service! I installed them yesterday along with the new Cam adjusters on the top A arms. The truck looks great....should have went with the Belltech 3-4 drop in the first place...But I guess we all learn from our mistakes dont we? LOL.
Also I must say that I am happy with the ride....much softer than i expected from drop coils. Hope to get some pics of it this weekend. Thanks to all that helped out! And I wouldnt hesistate to order from either company above.
Last edited by The Orphaner; Mar 29, 2002 at 03:05 PM.
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Joined: Oct 2001
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From: Huntsville, AL
Hey, how hard was it to instal the whole kit? How long, what kinda aptitude is needed? Stuff like that. I have a garage and limited tools but really want to lower my L onto some 22" wheels.
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From: Teays Valley, WV
:)
dtdionne, I would not recommend it if you dont have an air hammer with some good bits. I used a grinder to grind off all the rivet heads then air chiselled the hangers off (easy part) then ground the rivets down flush with the frame....then air hammered them through the rest of the frame. This would have been a nightmare with a hammer and chisel though...definitely would not recommend it. But with the right tools its takes approximately 3 hours if you take your time just to do the rear hangers. Then the front is simple....only about 45-55 minutes each side.( with air tools of course) That includes installing the new cam adjuster bolts on the uppper control arm.
YES Richard....am looking forward to getting some new pics tomorrow...maybe some with Low_RedL ....suppose to meet up with him before he goes to the track tomorrow.
YES Richard....am looking forward to getting some new pics tomorrow...maybe some with Low_RedL ....suppose to meet up with him before he goes to the track tomorrow.