Hey,
I figured I'd ask you a couple questions since you are the guy that knows an obundance on endlinks. If you don't mind...

1. What are the stock endlinks length?(front)

2. Meaning I need to get them shorter by how much the drop was right?

3. Will the SO.CAL adjustable rear links work?

4. Where can I find the front endlinks or what to ask for?

5. I didn't measure the stock height before I got the drop, should I just estimate or find another 99' stock height and go from there?

Thanks alot WrongdayJ in advance. Im planning on doing this in the next week so Im really looking foward on the improved handling I so miss.

 

Hello,

1. The measurement you are concerned with on the front links is the center section. The stock one looks like a black plastic hourglass. I believe it measures 4"- you want a center section that measures shorter by the amount that the truck drops. So if you drop it 2" then you want a center sleeve that measures 2" shorter than the stocker. You can buy them at any local parts house like Pep Boys or Auto Zone.
2. Yes, the So. Cal links will work just fine. They are exactly the same as the (don't laugh) 'signature series' links I make. You can make them easily out of 1/2" threaded rod ends and some rod stock that is drilled/tapped to accept them. If you bribe a local machine shop with a high quality beer- they might do it for you free. Hell, I'll do it for you free if you are in the area (Beer not required, but is always a good gesture).
3. You want to get accurate measurements before and after. If that's not possible, then 'guesstimate' as close as you can. Any amount that you can correct the geometry is better than using the stockers after the drop. Be warned though- the advertised drop is rarely accurate, and it doesn't always drop the left and right sides of the truck evenly. In a nutshell- you could be adding preload (or weight-jacking if you will) into the suspension if you use incorrect length links. Is it a big deal? 90% of the time, no. But the more accurate you are, the better your results will be I can promise you.
4. You will be amazed at the improvement that this small modification makes to the feel of your vehicle. Most notably the rear links. Kiss body roll, oversteer/understeer, and generally sloppy feel goodbye. Get ready to be able to swing 65 Mph turns on F1's with confidense and - get this- without the tires roaring or breaking loose. I'm getting all antsy just writing this.

In fact- I'm gonna go take a couple hot laps around the back roads around my house right now. . . . . .

Later,

 

Thanks for a quick responce.

Are these the type of endlinks i need to get?

http://www.jegs.com/cgi-bin/ncommerc...86&prmenbr=361

 

Yup, that's them.

The 3/8" thru bolt is beefier than the OE piece, too.

Those fronts plus the So.Cal rears and you'll be all set.


Post pictures of the install!!!


Later,

 

WrongdayJ,

I've decided to go ahead with the So-Cal lowering kit. It lowers the front end 1.75" in the front. Would I then need a 1.75" end link or would the Hotchkis front sway bar correct this?

Thanks

 

Hi,

If the kit drops the front exactly 1.75" on the driver and passenger side (take measurements before and after- on all 4 wheels individually- to know the exact amount it drops your particular vehicle) then you need a link that is 1.75" shorter than the stocker. Your stock center sleeve is approx. 4" long. . .so you want an end-link that has a center sleeve length of about 2.25". You also want the thru bolt size to be 3/8". You can pick them up from any auto parts store. In fact, AutoZone (at least here in AZ) now carries Energy Suspension products- they're good stuff . . .I've used their products on MANY cars and trucks for everything from control arm bushings to transmission mounts.

I'm not gonna knock the Hotchkiss stuff. But you really don't wanna go mix-n-matching when it comes to suspension components. Besides, once you drop your vehicle and correct the end-links (and hopefully put in good shocks while you're in there), you will find that the stock swaybars are quite good. I haven't overwhelmed them yet- usually the F1's give long before the sway bars are maxing.

Hope this info helps-

 

It helps a lot. Thanks, J

 

Hey WJ,
Sorry for all the hassel but, I have another question. I stated before that I didn't measure the stock height . Should I just guesstimate(2/3 drop) or ask another 99-00 stock height L owner what their Lightning height is?? and go from there. Thanks

 

OK-

Spike Engineering has a listing (table format) of the various lowering & suspension kits and how much people are typically getting for a drop. Do a search here for lowering kits and you should find it. I believe it is also posted on NLOC. He has a listing of a typical stock ride height, too.

From the numbers in the table, you should be able to get pretty close if not right on. The only other way to home in on where your end-link lengths should be would be to use weight scales under each tire and comparing the values to an identical stock Lightning (including fuel amount, etc.) Then adjust your end-link lengths until the weights equal the stock percentages and values.

The crap we go through in search of handling?! Geez. If it seems confusing now. . .wait 'till the can of worms opens fully and you tie all of this into the steering components and theortical roll centers and instant centers (CG) and on and on. The end-link thing is simply the tip of the iceberg, man. It's one simple component that has a simple job to do. BUT- despite it's simplicity, it can wreak HAVOK on your handling if it is incorrect. Vice-versa- it can make a vehicle feel 110% better when adjusted correctly.

I'm no guru, by any means, but I'm learning. The only problem is that the more I learn- the more I realize how much more there is to learn.

If you think of anything else you may have forgotten or come up with more questions, feel free to e-mail me at :
WrongdayJ@aol.com

Later,

 

Thanks alot for all your useful help. Im ordering today, hopefully get installed next week. Ill post pics of install. Thanks again.

 

Not a problem.

Can't wait to see the pics!


Later,