4.9 Lightning

95 F150 Dude · #1 (**permalink**) 06-30-2009, 02:01 PM

Guys,

I have access to a complete first Gen Lightning and would like to pull the suspension out and install it on my 95 short bed to make a 4.9 Lightning

My question is what components do I need? I know the sway bars are larger. The front springs are shorter. The rear springs are different and the rear shackles are different. Anything else I'm forgetting?

Scott

jas88 · #2 (**permalink**) 06-30-2009, 02:16 PM

"4.9" and "Lightning" are 2 terms I did not think I would see used together as a phrase.

Jason Lewis · #3 (**permalink**) 06-30-2009, 02:19 PM

Whats wrong with the Gen 1? is it driveable?

Other wise if it is why the hell would you strip a gen 1 !!!!

Oh the other hand if its totaled then the springs front/rear would install no probs strait bolt in.

Use the gen 1 rear spring shackels to,

I did this swap on my 96-(303) no probs

check my gallery

95 F150 Dude · #4 (**permalink**) 06-30-2009, 03:41 PM

Thanks for the response. The owner says it's been hit and totaled so he is parting it out. He wantes to keep the motor and trans but the rest is up for grabs. I will post what I don't get on here if anyone is interested.

Anything else other than the springs, shackles and sway bars?

Scott

95 F150 Dude · #5 (**permalink**) 06-30-2009, 03:44 PM

Jas88,

I didn't think I would ever do anything like this either. But I like the idea of a classsic, well handling F150 that gets 20 MPG

Jason Lewis · #6 (**permalink**) 06-30-2009, 04:11 PM

Cool, yea take the seats to that would be a great upgrade!

6CylBill · #7 (**permalink**) 06-30-2009, 04:22 PM

This is a great idea! I love it! I just talked to a guy the other day with a 4.9L FlareSide sitting on Lightning suspension and rims. LOOKED AWESOME.

lew52 · #8 (**permalink**) 06-30-2009, 04:42 PM

Sounds good , just check everthing out, you don't want anything thats bent . Its hard to tell sometimes . When a truck is totaled the suspension ussally takes a good hit . Good luck, there might be all kinds of goodies you can get .. Lew

70torino429 · #9 (**permalink**) 06-30-2009, 05:25 PM

dont forget the 120mph speedometer., you should be able to make it work.

ive always said, if you worry about gas mileage you arent having fun.

Jason Lewis · #10 (**permalink**) 06-30-2009, 05:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 6CylBill

This is a great idea! I love it! I just talked to a guy the other day with a 4.9L FlareSide sitting on Lightning suspension and rims. LOOKED AWESOME.

I want to see that thats gotta be awesome !

andym · #11 (**permalink**) 06-30-2009, 05:33 PM

If the front springs are shorter, they will throw the camber off and you might need new alignment bushings. I'm not sure if lightnings had different bushings or not or if Ford did it another way.

95 F150 Dude · #12 (**permalink**) 06-30-2009, 06:46 PM

Thanks for the encouragement guys. The guy I'm getting it from wants the motor, trans and A/C parts which I don't care to get. The only items missing are the rims and gauge cluster. The rims I can live without because I wanted to go with newer Lightning rims anyway. The missing gauge cluster is kind of a bummer though.

Scott

6CylBill · #13 (**permalink**) 06-30-2009, 06:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jason Lewis

I want to see that thats gotta be awesome !

It would be, if it wasn't in two different colors and the rear end wasn't smashed in! The truck had a LOT of potentianl though. All it needed was a paint job, tailgate, and rear fiberglass where the truck rear ended him.

I was in love with the stance though. When I seen the truck it made me regret not doing the same to mine.

Diesel_Brad · #14 (**permalink**) 06-30-2009, 10:21 PM

There is no difference between a f150 spring shackles and lightning ones. The seats are a nice addition

trk98 · #15 (**permalink**) 07-01-2009, 02:50 PM

Whats stopping you from getting drop beams? Are they much different, better/worse than lightning ones? Whats different from a typical truck? Are spindles and brakes different?