Hey Guys,
How about some help for me here. I know very little about drops or lifts and need your input.
I have been reading for 6 month about a drop kit. I blieve I will have to use A-arms or spindles to keep the shock lenght in movement and the front end gemetry.

Who has the best kits, one that will go on without anyother mods. Price is not the problem.

Thanks,
Alvin

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99.5 Ford Lightning - Full Bassani exhaust, Swanson Performance Chip,Pro-m,undersized pulley,3.73 ears,Transgo shift kit,cobra type hood, snug top cover,2" drop in back, yellow stripes down red truck.
13.01 @ 103.6, 378 RWHP
http://www.zing.com/album/?id=4294235379

 

Hey dogleg,

The Lightning is already slightly lowered from the factory so there is some difference between them and the regular F150's. I'm not sure what the difference is in the rear, but it is only different coil springs up front. Therefore, if you lower the front with 3" coils for an F150 it would only be 2" lower than the stock lightning. There is no lowering spindle available for the Lightning or 97+ F150's. There are lower A-arms available though from DJM and Western Chassis. As far as steering alignment and geometry, coils are OK too. The upper A-arm bolts may need to be replaced with the ones that allow for more adjustment. I used 3" coils and also replaced those bolts on my 98.

I think several of your Lightning counterparts have lowered using the Roush kit. It is kinda expensive at over 1000 bucks, but it is also the only kit that lowers the rear with different leaf springs. The Roush kit includes 3" coils, 3.5" rear leaf springs, and bilstein shocks. The other companies like Bell Tech, Western Chassis, etc. use shackles and hangers to lower the rear 4". For 6" rear drop they use and axle flip kit.

I remember seeing in the L forum that several people have the Roush kit, but at least one person didn't like the bilstein shocks.

Anyway there are lots of options. I went with the Western Chassis kit for a 3/5 drop. I was really impressed with the quality of their products. You can find them on the web at www.sporttruckdirect.com

Good luck

 

Hi! dogleg:
I lowered my truck with 3"&4" belltech
springs in front & hangers in rear.
did it my self no real problems.
on front need to buy a caster adjusting kit
& install it while you are replacing the springs. save you money, the alinement shop will charge you. this is a easy install.
the rear is easy also with the right tools
have a die grinder& air or elect chisel.
i tried 1/2 hour on first rivit.
then went & borrowed the air chisel

the kit was under $300. no shocks
had 3,000 mi. on truck will replace then
as needed
4-d low

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1999 F-150 5.4 SB,FS, AUTO,BLACK XL, 3.55 GR
K&N MOD, CATBACK, SUPERCHIP, 275-16 ON POLISHED 16X8 PYTHONS.3-4 BELL TECH DROP
POLISHED ALU GRILL, BLACK FLUSH CHECKMATE TONN COVER
CLEARS ALWAY AROUND,STREET SMART MIRRORS
WISH-LIST: F-1 COBRA HOOD,PULLYS,ELECT FAN,POWERAID,ON&ON.