To lower a Lightning 2 inches in the front and 3 inches in the rear and retain the best possible ride for a daily driver with 22 inch wheels and 295/30/22 tires, what would you guys use and why?

The major difference I see is the Western Chassis A arms versus Bell Tech drop springs. Anybody with experience with either or both of these brands, I welcome your opinions.

Thanks,

Tim

 

Tim, I have both...LOL Originally bought the Western Chassis A arms ( as you can see in my Photo Gallery) but they said they had two different ones to fit our L's and of course they sent me the wrong ones. The Sway bar links wouldnt come close to bolting up. So, that pissed me off and I sent them back but kept the rear hangers they sell....since they are adjustable and the Belltech ones arent. The Western Chassis rear hangers have two mounting holes so you can choose how low you wanna go. I think the Belltech ones only have one hole. One thing I must say is that everything Western Chassis sells looks as if it would hold up on an F550! LOL They are some nice pieces, real heavy duty; with Urethane greaseable bushings everywhere. Im sure that they could have sent me the other ones and would have worked fine, but I didnt want to wait that long.
But to get to the point, I have Western chassis on the rear and Belltech 3" (2 inch on the L) coil springs up front. The ride is FIRM, but not harsh, but then again its not a daily driver either. and there are some good roads around here.
So, as long as you can get the right Super A arms, I would go with their whole kit, its nice. It was like $369? for the A arms If i remember? Little more than Belltech coil springs, but worth it if you want to maintain the factory ride.

 

Western Chassis Super A arms...Nice!



Western Chassis Rear Adjustable Hangers.



Only way to maintain the factory ride is to use the A arms. Belltech is going to be a little stiffer.
Hope this helps!

Mark.

 

I originally put in the drop springs in front, and then took them out and went with the western chasis A arms with the original springs. IMHO the latter setup is the only way to go. As far as the rear, if you do the full 4 drop, you should trim the bed cross rail that sits directly above the rear end of the pumpkin, or that rail will hit the pumkin on bumps.A set of QA 1's will also help both ride and handling a lot!

 

cabraco,

When you took the drop springs out and used Western Chassis A arms did *they alone* give you 2 inches of drop in the front?

This is on a friends truck and we're planning on only a 3 inch drop in the rear using hangers only.

Tim

 

Mark,

Thanks for the information and the great pictures.

In the end you achieved only a 2 inch drop in the front? Your truck looks amazingly good and appears to be lower than 2 inches lower than stock in the front.

Tim

 

I got about an inch and a little over3/4 right after I did the install, and I have not measured recently, but I prolly picked up another 1/8 to 1/4 after everything settled out. You should get right about 2 " when all the dust settles!

 

Does any body have the correct part number for the Western Chassis A-arms that fits, I am also interested in this setup but I like The Orphaner would hate to order the wrong parts.

 

FYI: If you used the correct QA1's on the rear with that much drop, you'll still need to add end links at the top mount to prevent severe binding.

 

I'm thinking of switching to the A-arms or raising mine back up. The roads in town are fine with the Bell Tech springs,but I live oustside of town and it gets a little rough for me.

Also on the rear I use the Bell tech hangers only. It gives me a little rake instead of the truck looking to low in the back with both the shackles and hangers,but that may just be my truck.

 

Hey Lightning JMP...thats the problem Even Sport Truck Direct didnt know which ones would work. LOL. But they are quality pieces.

Yeah Chickenears, I do like the drop now. But I have heard that if you use only the A arms and stock springs you only get about 1 1/2 inches in the front. But if thats what your after then go with that setup its some very nice pieces.

 

After much research on the a-arm subject I decided to go with the western chassis's. There are a few others out there but I've concluded they are not near as strong as the westerns.
I definately want to keep the stock ride so a few extra $ over the springs seemed worth it to me.
Chris

 

Sorry, double post

 

Twinturbo Ranger,

Have you cut your front bump stops? I found that with Bell Tech 3" drop front springs on a Lightning, the lower control arm is in direct contact with the bump stops defeating any action by the shocks to cushion bumps.

Tim PS. Thanks to everyone that has replied to this thread.

 

Chickenears

I have a Bell Tech 2/4 drop on my Lightning, and after it was lowered it was sitting on the bump stops. I used a hacksaw blade and cut the bump stops in half. I now have about a 1/2" of clearance between the bump stop and the a-arm.

hope this helps.

Larry.