GREAT FORUM - My first post... I bought some Lightning front springs to install on my 2001 2WD F150 Supercrew, to go along with a 2" drop set of rear shackles. It looks like I can just separate the lower ball joint and remove the sway bar links to get the springs out. (I am an experienced mechanic, just not on the F150) With a jack under the lower arm, can I just drop the arm down to remove the spring? If there is an easier way, please let me know. Anyone have experience with this particular setup? I am looking for 1" drop in front and 2" in back to still maintain a 1" rake. Thanks for any help you can offer!

 

Can't believe no one can help with this...

 

To replace the springs on the 2001 F150 Supercrew, I unbolted the sway bar end links on both sides, then put my floor jack under the lower ball joint. (Truck frame held up with jack stands) Then, remove the upper control arm pivot bolts and lower the floor jack with the lower control arm following the jack. When the lower arm pivots all the way down, all you have to do is reach in there and grab the spring and pull it out. Stick the new one in and kack the ball joint up so the upper control arm will reach the pivot bolts. Install the bolts. Reattach the sway bar. Piece of cake, and NO spring compressor required. BTW, the 2001 Lightning front springs I installed made the front end a little mushier (better street ride) but only lowered the truck 3/4". Total time 2 hours to do the entire job.

 

First of all, welcome to the site! Second, thanks for sharing. I am considering replacing my front springs w/2" taller ones. I am sure it would be the same procedure you used. I have had a knee replaced, so I don't do well "gettin' down" and around, so I'll probably have to have it done for me. Again, welcome from Canyon Lake, Texas!

 

Longer springs will be a bit more difficult - likely will have to use a compressor on them. I used to hang a round Canyon Lake and the Guadalupe when I lived in SA.

 

Yeah, I came down "River Road" on the way home this afternoon! Still very busy, everything has been pretty well been rebuilt, since the flood last July

 

I can't imagine that no one here knew how to change out springs...

 

I've used the "spring compressor" before to install a "spring spacer" on top of my springs, but that was in '78 before the knees went. There is a LOT of energy in one of those coil springs, they can "shoot" always across the garage (no matter what is in the way)!