I have a few of these trucks but my most recent purchase was one somebody started on and lost interest. '53 and he had already put all new bushings and such in the suspension, all new brakes and painted the frame. I am wanting to use that frame with another body ('55) and build a rat rod.

Now for the Question. I was kinda wanting to leave the front suspension under it. I have heard that the stock frame will not handle much Horsepower before it will twist up and I have heard you dont want to box the frame with the stock front end? Is there any other way to brace it up (add cross members and such)? Or would it be better off just to leave it alone and put a stock motor in it? The motor is a 575 horse 468 automatic trans with a 2500 stall in it. I will not be racing it all the time. Just a cruiser wit a lot of tire frying going on.

 

The frame will handle the HP structurally. The problem is that the torque will try to twist the frame (somewhat sucessfully) different amounts depending on traction and how hard you get on it making it near impossible to tune the chassis to apply the HP to the road in a consistant manner (you'll not be quite sure which direction the truck will go when you stomp it). A limited slip/locker differential will be a must. That said, there is no good reason why you can't box the frame with the OEM front suspension. A well designed K member would be even more effective in preventing frame twist. Further a pickup is already traction handicapped by design, so except with big slicks and a lot of fancy suspension/chassis design you'll never be able to put all those horses to the ground very sucessfully. If what you want to do is burn up rear tires and make clouds of smoke driving from gas station to gas station then go for it, otherwise put a little more civilized motor in the truck and use it to tow a dedicated race car with the big motor in it.
Just my opinion, YMMV.
I've been a racer for over 40 years, and it took many of those years and many $$$ to figure out the above.

 

Hey There Rock,

How do you lilke your 04 Lightning? Any mods yet? Been hard to find many Lightning owners here. I own an 03 Lightning, Black and have done a few things with the intake/exhaust/tuner/pully's and such.

Here is my album. https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/members/king+leo-496314-albums.htm

Laters,
NL

 

I love mine. It is bone stock. I dont see any need in more power in it cause it wont hook up anyway

 

I hear ya there man. Especially cold! I found that NITTO Extreme 555's far, far surpased anything Good year puts out (just my opinion). The 3rd generation Lightning does put a gob of power and torque. Very true and I am totally lovin mine for sure!

Being out in Arizona you should get lots of good hook up on dry pavement!

Enjoy