Just bought a 2000 F150. I would really like to lower it mildly. Any suggestions?

 

What do you consider mild? I started on mine today, ran into some problems so I will finish tomorrow. My drop is 3in Belltech springs for the frt and 4in DJM shackle/hanger kit for the back.

 

3/4 is where I am headed. Just wondering about what to use to accomplish it. I know there are choices, just curious as to what experiences have been. Like what problem have you encountered? Joe

 

The frt is easy, jack it up, put in jack stands, remove tire, jack up the control arm just a little, take off the brake line bracket, remove the spindle(upper and lower ball joints and tie rod end), antisway bar end link, and shock, let the jack down slowly (or to be a lot safer, use a spring compressor) If you haven't changed your ball joints yet, you might want to do them while you're in there.
For the back, jack it up, support w/ jack stands. You will want the tires just barely off the ground. Start w/ the shackle. Loosen both bolts, remove the bottom one first, take a pry bar and leverage the leaf spring up, take out the top bolt, put the new shackle in. Get an air hammer w/ a chisel tip to remove the head on the hanger rivets (a grinder will take forever), take out the hanger bolts using a 1/2 in breaker bar w/ 2 ft cheater pipe(unless you have a BIG impact, I tried a 1/2 drive and it wouldn't move itl). Take a propane torch and heat up the the hanger rivets (they have loctite on them), when you see the loctite running out, take the air hammer w/ a punch tip and knock the rivets out. Once all the rivets are out, put the chisel tip back in the air hammer and knock the hangers off.

 

Thanks. What I am curious about is any one using something different than spindles and hangers. Joe

 

You can't get spindles. Belltech made them but they kept breaking. You will have to go w/ a coil spring or a drop control arm (2in) on the front and a shackle/hanger kit for the back

 

Sorry Smaug, in your original reply I saw "Belltech" [and not spring], so I assumed spindle. I would assume I will use a lowering coil spring in front, but would not expect to remove the spindle to do it. I am used to replacing coils on MII suspension without removing the spindle. Are you using new springs and control arms or is this just more difficult than the MII? So, why not lowering leaf springs in the rear? Thanks again. Joe

 

Haha just playing sorry had to do it. I like 4x4's lifted and 4x2's I think should be lowered or kept at stock height.

 

Good one. I'm laughing.

 

Joe, you can get lowered leaf springs. Don't think they are available for a 4in drop though. You could do a leaf spring/ shackle combo. The problem I ran into was getting the hanger rivets knocked through the frame. I ended up taking it to a shop where they put it on a lift, drilled the rivets and used a sledge hammer to knock the hangers off.
As for the frt, this was my 1st time and I also replaced the ball joints. I just looked at it and figured the easiest way for me to do it. Whether it's the only way, I don't know.

 

why would you wanna lower a truck? the only people who I ever seen do that around here are the mexicans with too much money. kinda sounds like "when you give rednecks money" cept we jack up UP

 

Thanks Smaug, good info.

 

Why would you want to lift a truck? You don't get any more clearance on the diffs. Do you do it because you like the way it looks??????

 

I really hope you are joking....if not, that's a stupid and ignorant statement to make.

 

hi guys, i lowered my f150 with a belltech kit. it had springs, shackles, hangers, shock and a camber ajustment bolts. it took me about 8 hours to do. 4 one day and 4 the nexted. i like the look, the feel and the style. as far as lifted trucks go, the only off roading i do is on feet with a tent in the summer and a gun in hunting season. thats my two cents.

furrby

ps. rides almost like stock. i love it. handles a lot better.