Bell Tech 4x4 Lowering Kit
Thread Starter
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Banned
Joined: Nov 1999
Posts: 69
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From: Belgrade MT US
Well the truck used to have a sever "rake". I just wanted to level the truck, slightly lowered, not slammed. The rear fender used to be @ 40", now it's 35.5". The front was 37" now it's 34 5/8".
Seeing that my truck is brand new, the install was pretty easy. The front end is very straight forward if nothing is "frozen up". The rear end is a little tougher because you have to swap hangers and shackles. I slotted the rivet heads, air chiseled them off, pryed off old hanger, ground rivets flush, and then air chiseled them out the back side. I had a spacer between the springs and the axle pad (factory), and I left it in place. If I removed it there would have been another 2" of drop.
I had a slight vibration @ 20-22 mph, but then I installed their 6 degree shim. The shim got the pinion angle back in spec, and no more vibration.
Yes I did it myself (w/ a buddy), and it took us most of the day. Better order it soon, it sounds like they are pulling their 4x4 kits of the market. I guess there isn't enough interest in them.
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2000 F-150 XLT Styleside
-4x4,Reg.Cab, Short box, White, Sport, Bell Tech lowering kit
dwh@dynojet.com
Seeing that my truck is brand new, the install was pretty easy. The front end is very straight forward if nothing is "frozen up". The rear end is a little tougher because you have to swap hangers and shackles. I slotted the rivet heads, air chiseled them off, pryed off old hanger, ground rivets flush, and then air chiseled them out the back side. I had a spacer between the springs and the axle pad (factory), and I left it in place. If I removed it there would have been another 2" of drop.
I had a slight vibration @ 20-22 mph, but then I installed their 6 degree shim. The shim got the pinion angle back in spec, and no more vibration.
Yes I did it myself (w/ a buddy), and it took us most of the day. Better order it soon, it sounds like they are pulling their 4x4 kits of the market. I guess there isn't enough interest in them.
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2000 F-150 XLT Styleside
-4x4,Reg.Cab, Short box, White, Sport, Bell Tech lowering kit
dwh@dynojet.com
Senior Member
Joined: Dec 1969
Posts: 343
Likes: 0
From: Jacksonville, FL USA
Those hangers were a bit@h to get off weren't they. That is the same way I lowered the rear of my 4x2. It did take pretty much all day, even with air tools.
Truck looks great though!
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Chris Thomas
<A HREF="http://216.147.104.171/Y2K/members/ChrisT/christ1a.jpg" TARGET=_blank>
</A>
1998 F-150XLT Flareside STX Sport Package, 4.6L Auto 3.55 Oxford White/Gray interior, Factory Anti-theft system
Picture: http://216.147.104.171/Y2K/members/ChrisT/christ1a.jpg
Homepage: Chris & Brandi's Universe
Mods: A.R.E. Decklid/Oxford White with gray fabric liner, K&N filter with Airbox Mod (removed silencer), Lowered 3" front/5" rear, Tinted Windows, GTS sloted taillight covers (painted Oxford white to match), Removed STX stickers
Audio: Kenwood Truck speakers with 10" woofers, Rockford Fosgate and Alpine Amps, Ford 10 disk CD changer
Future Mods: 20" rims and tires, True duals with Supertrap tunable mufflers, Superchip, Supercharger, Jacobs Ignition, and whatever else I can think of!!!
[This message has been edited by Chris Thomas (edited 04-20-2000).]
Truck looks great though!
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Chris Thomas
<A HREF="http://216.147.104.171/Y2K/members/ChrisT/christ1a.jpg" TARGET=_blank>
</A>1998 F-150XLT Flareside STX Sport Package, 4.6L Auto 3.55 Oxford White/Gray interior, Factory Anti-theft system
Picture: http://216.147.104.171/Y2K/members/ChrisT/christ1a.jpg
Homepage: Chris & Brandi's Universe
Mods: A.R.E. Decklid/Oxford White with gray fabric liner, K&N filter with Airbox Mod (removed silencer), Lowered 3" front/5" rear, Tinted Windows, GTS sloted taillight covers (painted Oxford white to match), Removed STX stickers
Audio: Kenwood Truck speakers with 10" woofers, Rockford Fosgate and Alpine Amps, Ford 10 disk CD changer
Future Mods: 20" rims and tires, True duals with Supertrap tunable mufflers, Superchip, Supercharger, Jacobs Ignition, and whatever else I can think of!!!
[This message has been edited by Chris Thomas (edited 04-20-2000).]
Thread Starter
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Banned
Joined: Nov 1999
Posts: 69
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From: Belgrade MT US
The handling was greatly improved (tires help a lot) and I also plan to add a rear sway bar. The ride is about the same as stock, very harsh. I have the trailer package, which I believe added "heavy duty" shocks. The only trailer I tow up here in "6 month winter land" is a two place snowmobile trailer. No 40' off shore boat in this guys driveway!
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2000 F-150 XLT Styleside
4x4,Reg.Cab, 120" WB, White, Sport Pkg., Bell Tech lowering kit, Gen II Lightning Wheels, B'stone 285 60 18 tires
dwh@dynojet.com
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2000 F-150 XLT Styleside
4x4,Reg.Cab, 120" WB, White, Sport Pkg., Bell Tech lowering kit, Gen II Lightning Wheels, B'stone 285 60 18 tires
dwh@dynojet.com
Member
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 34
Likes: 0
From: Tennessee
Dyno Dan - QUESTION
How did you relocate the parking brake cable. Mine does not have much slack to pull away & tie back. I read another post where a guy had a problem with interference with a brake hose mounting bolt? His was a 4x2. I have a 99 reg cab 4x4 with 4.6 auto & 3.55 gears Do not have off road package).
L wheels with p285x60 michelins ordered & on the way!!
Thanks for the info!
BassDean
How did you relocate the parking brake cable. Mine does not have much slack to pull away & tie back. I read another post where a guy had a problem with interference with a brake hose mounting bolt? His was a 4x2. I have a 99 reg cab 4x4 with 4.6 auto & 3.55 gears Do not have off road package).
L wheels with p285x60 michelins ordered & on the way!!
Thanks for the info!
BassDean
Thread Starter
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Banned
Joined: Nov 1999
Posts: 69
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From: Belgrade MT US
You shouldn't really have to worry about re-routing your p-brake cable. I had to do it because I lowered it. I ran the passenger side cable under the driver's side spring (used to go over it). The bracket that Bell Tech gave me was never going to work so I used the stock piece, just different location. You will have to fab a small bracket to space out (towards center of truck) the mounting location at the driver's side tire with the L wheels and 285's. The driver's side cable rubs on the tire/wheel because of new size and offset. If any of this in unclear just email me and I can even shoot some pics.
Good luck, you'll love the tire/wheel combo! The upper control arms on the front end are close to rubbing, but there is space (1/2").
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2000 F-150 XLT Styleside
4x4,Reg.Cab, 120" WB, White, Sport Pkg., Bell Tech lowering kit, Gen II Lightning Wheels, B'stone 285 60 18 tires
dwh@dynojet.com
[This message has been edited by DynoDan (edited 05-01-2000).]
Good luck, you'll love the tire/wheel combo! The upper control arms on the front end are close to rubbing, but there is space (1/2").
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2000 F-150 XLT Styleside
4x4,Reg.Cab, 120" WB, White, Sport Pkg., Bell Tech lowering kit, Gen II Lightning Wheels, B'stone 285 60 18 tires
dwh@dynojet.com
[This message has been edited by DynoDan (edited 05-01-2000).]
Member
Joined: Mar 2000
Posts: 36
Likes: 0
From: Lake Zurich, IL USA
DynoDan,
Glad you liking your lowered 4x4. I decided against doing it with my 4x4 and instead just traded it in on a 2k silver lightning!!
Thanks for your input on the belltech system
38-chevy
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2000 Silver Lightning
2000 Silver Grand Am
1996 Honda Shadow A.C.E.
1993 Rudy Covette
1938 Red Chevy Coupe
Glad you liking your lowered 4x4. I decided against doing it with my 4x4 and instead just traded it in on a 2k silver lightning!!
Thanks for your input on the belltech system
38-chevy
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2000 Silver Lightning
2000 Silver Grand Am
1996 Honda Shadow A.C.E.
1993 Rudy Covette
1938 Red Chevy Coupe