A few questions about lowering

[UglyXLT]

I’ve done a bit of research on this and I see that many of you as well as myself are not too fond of the rake angle on the stock truck. I’ve seen a number approaches to lowering the truck but which method is the most cost effective in achieving the street truck look? I’m pushing towards ordering the belltech 25001 struts while keeping everything else stock for the rear. If I do this, what’s the best tire and wheel size for filling the gap up some more?

I would love to do the icon lowering kit but I can’t bring myself to drop $7k and then have to buy wheels and tires on top.

Sponsored

 

[davehu]

good luck. One of the few complaints I have about my Lariat is that it sits about 4" higher than my 10yr old Chevy Avalanche. Sure glad I bought running boards as it would be very uncomfortable to get in without them. (and I'm 6ft tall)

 

[Firn]

Are you wanting to lower the truck, or just reduce the rake?

If you just want to reduce the rake some just install the rear portion of this
https://www.roughcountry.com/product/ford-lightning-leveling-lift-kit-52006

 

[UglyXLT]

Are you wanting to lower the truck, or just reduce the rake?

If you just want to reduce the rake some just install the rear portion of this
https://www.roughcountry.com/product/ford-lightning-leveling-lift-kit-52006

Lowered, I would like to replicate this look:

 

[Pioneer74]

Lowered, I would like to replicate this look:

You'll never achieve that with just shocks.

 

[UglyXLT]

You'll never achieve that with just shocks.

What all would be needed? Thanks for any help btw

 

[Pioneer74]

What all would be needed? Thanks for any help btw

Probably the Icon kit. The best you will get in the rear with shocks only is about 3 inches, and that is with the camber kit. About 1.5 inches with shocks only.

 

[UglyXLT]

Probably the Icon kit. The best you will get in the rear with shocks only is about 3 inches, and that is with the camber kit. About 1.5 inches with shocks only.

Noted, I was just now browsing around on the forum and I like the way the user on post #22 in this link set their truck up as well which is similar to what I'm trying to do. So I may go that route
Lowering Lightning height by a couple inches | Page 2 | Ford Lightning Forum For F-150 Lightning EV Pickup: News, Owners, Discussions, Community

 

[Pioneer74]

Noted, I was just now browsing around on the forum and I like the way the user on post #22 in this link set their truck up as well which is similar to what I'm trying to do. So I may go that route
Lowering Lightning height by a couple inches | Page 2 | Ford Lightning Forum For F-150 Lightning EV Pickup: News, Owners, Discussions, Community

There is a video link on here somewhere about installing the air strut tank into the frunk. Look around for it. Makes for a clean install, but you lose the frunk functionality.

 

[csukoh78]

I’ve done a bit of research on this and I see that many of you as well as myself are not too fond of the rake angle on the stock truck. I’ve seen a number approaches to lowering the truck but which method is the most cost effective in achieving the street truck look? I’m pushing towards ordering the belltech 25001 struts while keeping everything else stock for the rear. If I do this, what’s the best tire and wheel size for filling the gap up some more?

I would love to do the icon lowering kit but I can’t bring myself to drop $7k and then have to buy wheels and tires on top.

I've done Belltech AND Icon full kit.

Bottom line: Don't do Belltech if you aren't going to install Icon camber plates. Even a 1" rear drop with Belltech gives you unacceptable 3 degree camber, adversely affecting handling, noise, tire wear. Belltech shocks also wear out and can't handle the weight of the truck. It rides ROUGH too, because the stock spring is variable rate which means the top 2-3" of compression are 95% of your comfort. If you remove that by compressing with the Belltechs, the rear rides incredibly stiff in addition to the camber problem. It's like riding on a flatbed.

Icon kit is expensive but it's designed to work with this truck. It has a wide range of settings and can give you an OEM alignment once lowered. I've dropped mine all the way down, lifted it some, and through trial and error have the ICON kit right in the sweetspot of comfort and performance (handles MUCH better).

I've done articles on both Belltech (avoid) and Icon ($$$). I did another article on ideal Icon looks and settings to balance handling and comfort. I'm including the one I wrote on the Belltech and some of the physics of why it doesn't work.

I'm also including a link to my ICON write up.

I don't think anyone has done more suspension work on a Lighting than me, except maybe one of the guys that hates money and put bags on it (which is also a terrible idea.)

So, what would I do?

1) Get the Icon
2) if you don't want the Icon, get some Fox or other high quality shorter struts and replace all four corners, install ICON camber plates, then get an alignment
3) Do nothing and enjoy a comfortable OEM suspension (yes, I hate the rake too)

Included are some pics of mine.

 

[csukoh78]

I've done Belltech AND Icon full kit.

Bottom line: Don't do Belltech if you aren't going to install Icon camber plates. Even a 1" rear drop with Belltech gives you unacceptable 3 degree camber, adversely affecting handling, noise, tire wear. Belltech shocks also wear out and can't handle the weight of the truck. It rides ROUGH too, because the stock spring is variable rate which means the top 2-3" of compression are 95% of your comfort. If you remove that by compressing with the Belltechs, the rear rides incredibly stiff in addition to the camber problem. It's like riding on a flatbed.

Icon kit is expensive but it's designed to work with this truck. It has a wide range of settings and can give you an OEM alignment once lowered. I've dropped mine all the way down, lifted it some, and through trial and error have the ICON kit right in the sweetspot of comfort and performance (handles MUCH better).

I've done articles on both Belltech (avoid) and Icon ($$$). I did another article on ideal Icon looks and settings to balance handling and comfort. I'm including the one I wrote on the Belltech and some of the physics of why it doesn't work.

I'm also including a link to my ICON write up.

I don't think anyone has done more suspension work on a Lighting than me, except maybe one of the guys that hates money and put bags on it (which is also a terrible idea.)

So, what would I do?

1) Get the Icon
2) if you don't want the Icon, get some Fox or other high quality shorter struts and replace all four corners, install ICON camber plates, then get an alignment
3) Do nothing and enjoy a comfortable OEM suspension (yes, I hate the rake too)

Included are some pics of mine.

I've made some changes since then, such as going to black wheels and getting rid of the ugly stock running boards for some retractables. MUCH better

 

[UglyXLT]

I've done Belltech AND Icon full kit.

Bottom line: Don't do Belltech if you aren't going to install Icon camber plates. Even a 1" rear drop with Belltech gives you unacceptable 3 degree camber, adversely affecting handling, noise, tire wear. Belltech shocks also wear out and can't handle the weight of the truck. It rides ROUGH too, because the stock spring is variable rate which means the top 2-3" of compression are 95% of your comfort. If you remove that by compressing with the Belltechs, the rear rides incredibly stiff in addition to the camber problem. It's like riding on a flatbed.

Icon kit is expensive but it's designed to work with this truck. It has a wide range of settings and can give you an OEM alignment once lowered. I've dropped mine all the way down, lifted it some, and through trial and error have the ICON kit right in the sweetspot of comfort and performance (handles MUCH better).

I've done articles on both Belltech (avoid) and Icon ($$$). I did another article on ideal Icon looks and settings to balance handling and comfort. I'm including the one I wrote on the Belltech and some of the physics of why it doesn't work.

I'm also including a link to my ICON write up.

I don't think anyone has done more suspension work on a Lighting than me, except maybe one of the guys that hates money and put bags on it (which is also a terrible idea.)

So, what would I do?

1) Get the Icon
2) if you don't want the Icon, get some Fox or other high quality shorter struts and replace all four corners, install ICON camber plates, then get an alignment
3) Do nothing and enjoy a comfortable OEM suspension (yes, I hate the rake too)

Included are some pics of mine.

Thank you so much for this.