I need help to decide how much I want to lower my 97 f-150 flareside. I like the way the 3-5 looks but I am thinking about going lower. Only problem... its a daily driver. How much does this comprimise the ride? I know its not a lightning, but i thought you guys could help.

 

Unless you are ready for some major work, a 3-5 drop will do more than compromise your ride, it will kill it.

This has been discussed many, many, many, many times. You need to use the search feature on this board, and read the results carefully.

There is no shortcut. Anyone who gives you a simple answer to your question is doing you a disservice. It's a highly complicated topic. Do your research.

 

Do you mean for Lightning's specifically Tim? Or are you talking about that dramatic a drop on ANY vehicle. Doesn't a regular F150 sit a couple inches higher than a Lightning? So a 3-5 drop for him is like a 1-3 drop for us (example, not sure about exact data)?

 

I meant a 3-5 drop on his std F150.

We only sit an inch lower than a std F150, so that translates to a 2-4 drop drop on a Lightning. Issues like bump steer, suspension-to-frame contact, shock replacement, c-notch, etc., must all be considered.

Note that he is thinking about going lower than a 2-4 drop. Without major reworking, he would be riding on the bump stops.

 

OK cool. Everyone ignore me and move on, I was just making sure we were answering the original poster's question and nobody assumed we were talking about a Lightning. I should have known Tim was on top of it!

 

ive got somewhere between 2/4 and 3/5 and its practically resting on the rear bump stops. Its possible to go this low without C notch, and without spindles or control arms, but the ride did stiffen up alot. Personally i like the little stiffer ride. Doesnt really have that soft floating feel of stock ride height.

 

I don't know how anyone could stand a rougher ride that we already have. It already almost rattles me to death, and I only have 2" drop shackles. It's an '04, so maybe the higher rear spring rate has something to do with it. I would love to soften my ride up quite a bit.

 

I think the 03/04 rear spring has a LOT to do with it. My 03 rode a lot firmer than my 01 until I replaced the rear leaf springs (with Roush).

 

thanks for your help guys. I am new with this forum thing, thanks for the tips!

 

Do a title-only search for "drop" or "lowering."

You will get more info than you can consume in one sitting. This is a very frequently discussed topic here.