lowering my lightning!

[Zeshan]

Hello,

I'm going to lower my lightning...but i'm not sure how much to lower it. I have a CBR F4I i haul around when i go home or take trips. the bike weighs bout 600 lbs. i dont want my 20's to rub if i got my bike in there. oh and i'm looking for suggestions on what kit to put on a 03 lightning. i hear the back sits higher than other lightnings so hangers are no good.

:cool:
thanks,
Z

[Retics4me]

If you do the shackles and hangers it should be alright. Alot of people use the Bell tech 3/4 . I used hangers and removed a leaf spring . And I used western chassis springs up front. You will need new shocks and I highly recomend the Doetch Tech from Sport Truck Direct . How tall are you 20s? Do you have any pics of your truck?

[hh505]

Hey Z. I used the Eibach Pro 2/4. It came with springs,alignment washers,shackles,hangers,shims,and hardware. Price was good, too.
Excuse the hijack- Retic, I have been trying to decide on shocks. Have you had others,or just the DT? PM me. Hijack over.
I am running stock '03 wheels & tires, but have room for a little more. I know it's more $, but maybe air bags would be best for being able to haul stuff. I haven't had anything heavy in mine since i lowered it. Howie

[Retics4me]

I researched alot before buying shocks and DT and QA1s seem to be the most popular . I cant justify paying 130 per shock do I went with the DTs. The Belltech are supposed to be really ****ty . If you do a search on F150online youll find alot of good info.
If you get different Height tire/wheel combo it will screw up your speedo . You want to try to find a combo thats close to 28 inches high. Again if you seach the other websites you will find alot of info on the subject .

[Zeshan]

how do u attatch a pic to this message?? mine says its to big to send a pic.

and howie how much is the kit and where do i get it from??

[Retics4me]

Email me the picture and ill resize and post it . retics4me@yahoo.com

[mustangmatt]

Originally posted by Zeshan
how do u attatch a pic to this message?? mine says its to big to send a pic.

and howie how much is the kit and where do i get it from??

if you need some prices let me know ;)

[Dustin]

I used a 2/4 kit. A-Arms in the front, and shackles hangers in the rear.

Don't swap out the spring, or leafs in any way, your ride on it will turn to **** !! Try to keep the factory springs, leafs. Adjust your ride height around that.

~Dustin

[hh505]

Zeshan, I got the Eibach kit from rpmoutlet.com. I think it was $349 and most places are $429 & up. I'm on a tight budget so I have to price shop.
Sorry for the double hijack-
Dustin, which A-arms are you using? I like the sound of that mod, but I can't complain about my front springs.
Matt, I'm stiill waiting for a KB price response and wonder if you price match. PM me. Thanks, Howie
Zeshan, I am only able to make suggestions based on my personal experience. SVT-5LITER can tell you how my truck rides and drives. I have to choose what I consider the 'Best Bang For The Buck' when it comes to parts based on web research and company rep.
Is it beer : 30?

[Dustin]

I bought the kit from sporttruckdirect.com i think it was, and my correction, it's a 3/5 kit, and with the adj hangers that i have, i have it set at the 3/4 drop.

The arms are from the company ' western chassi ' if that helps you out at all, with zergs I like to add.. hehe

~Dustin

[Retics4me]

Western chassis make some good ****. Stay away from Chassis Tech . Ive heard nothing but bad stuff about them .
I plan on either putting in Rousch or Hotchkis leafs in because im not too happy with the ride after removing a leaf. But then again ive had my front sway bar off for 3 years.Right now I have 90/10 drag shocks in the front and its almost scarey !! I just wanted to try them to what they were like at the track .

[hh505]

Thanks Guys, I hope Z can use this info. Just goes to show you that there are choices.
Dustin, I tried my kit in the other position, too. Too low and harsh- bottomed out badly even after I cut about half the rear bump stops off. Once I put it back in the 4" position, it was way much nicer.:) Howie

[Zeshan]

Thanks for the help guys....now i just need to know where i can get it done by a professional. I live in burnsville, mn...any suggestions?

[Dustin]

I'll look for Matt the one who did it, i'll call him up at home if he's still listed in Forest Lake see where or what garage he's working out of.

Howie : Aye the 5 was harsh, looked bad ass tho, but i'd rather have it a bit higher in the rear, then bottom it out.. hehe


~Dustin

[hh505]

I did my own. The only thing I needed done was the alignment when completed.
I ground my rear mounts off - took a while - and had to heat the frame around the rivets to pound them out, and that was hard - not much room. A buddy of mine helped me for part of it. Extra hands will come in 'handy'. Sorry.
I needed a heavier hammer and Sears has a MAPP gas torch kit for $50. That's what I used. Don't own a regular torch, and pencil torch is not enuf.
The front part I did by myself because I got started while waiting for my buddy and I just kept going. NOTE- It is extremely hard to lift the a-arm and align the ball joint by yourself. I used both hands, the floor jack, and both legs to wrestle them back on. It was like a contortionist/mechanic exhibition. I'm sure my good dog walking neighbors were amused.
I spent a good portion of the weekend to do it, and used a bit of bad language, but I kinda like to do my own if I can. I'm sure it would have been better to wait for some help, but I just wanted to get as much done as I could since it's my truck. When I was done, though, I was pretty happy and those ice cold MGDs tasted pretty damned good. :drink:
I am looking forward to the intake and cooling fan installs I have planned for my next projects, but it'll be in spring. The garage is mine for the summer, but the gf gets it in the winter. Not heated,either.
Good luck, Z. I hope your lowering project works out well and you get the results you want. Howie