3-link, Airride Gen2 Lightning build.

[pitstain]

Well here is the progress so far on my life wrecking, psychosis inducing buildup of my 2002 SVT Lightning.


Bed off and all the hangers cut off, shocks and leafs removed....what a PITA

http://www.lightningmod.com/images/3linkbuild/CIMG3107.JPG

http://www.lightningmod.com/images/3linkbuild/CIMG3109.JPG

Ahh fabrication fuel....

http://www.lightningmod.com/images/3linkbuild/CIMG3117.JPG

leftovers anyone?

http://www.lightningmod.com/images/3linkbuild/CIMG3121.JPG

[pitstain]

Temporary home for the bed.

http://www.lightningmod.com/images/3linkbuild/CIMG3123.JPG

Starting to clean up some of the rear frame.

http://www.lightningmod.com/images/3linkbuild/CIMG3125.JPG

The start of the plates for the 2 lower arm frame mounts.

http://www.lightningmod.com/images/3linkbuild/CIMG3133.JPG

Lower arm axle mounts coming together

http://www.lightningmod.com/images/3linkbuild/CIMG3137.JPG

http://www.lightningmod.com/images/3linkbuild/CIMG3138.JPG

[pitstain]

Frame mounts mocked up, these will get fully boxed and bolted down with 5 5/8" grade 8 bolts.

http://www.lightningmod.com/images/3linkbuild/CIMG3139.JPG

http://www.lightningmod.com/images/3linkbuild/CIMG3140.JPG

Made a plate which bolts to the front hitch holes to hold the 5 gallon airtank and the pair of compressors. And if I ever need to I can still mount up the trailer hitch.

http://www.lightningmod.com/images/3linkbuild/CIMG3143.JPG

http://www.lightningmod.com/images/3linkbuild/CIMG3144.JPG

http://www.lightningmod.com/images/3linkbuild/CIMG3145.JPG

[pitstain]

To the right are the rear upper shock mounts I made, next to the ones my buddies in Canada sent me.


http://www.lightningmod.com/images/3linkbuild/CIMG3148.JPG


Talk about A damm complicated bracket to build, this is the thrid link bracket, which will bolt to the crossmember over the gas tanks on the passenger side.


http://www.lightningmod.com/images/3linkbuild/CIMG3159.JPG


http://www.lightningmod.com/images/3linkbuild/CIMG3160.JPG


Started stripping and prepping the rear axel.


http://www.lightningmod.com/images/3linkbuild/CIMG3166.JPG

[pitstain]

The crossmember for the watts link coming together, it was rather tricky because the framerails get closer to eachother the farther back you go on the frame.


http://www.lightningmod.com/images/3linkbuild/CIMG3169.JPG

http://www.lightningmod.com/images/3linkbuild/CIMG3170.JPG

http://www.lightningmod.com/images/3linkbuild/CIMG3171.JPG

[pitstain]

The rest of the watts link buildup.


http://www.lightningmod.com/images/3linkbuild/CIMG3172.JPG

http://www.lightningmod.com/images/3linkbuild/CIMG3173.JPG

http://www.lightningmod.com/images/3linkbuild/CIMG3176.JPG

http://www.lightningmod.com/images/3linkbuild/CIMG3178.JPG

[pitstain]

The watts link cross member and the two from lower arm mounts all painted up.



http://www.lightningmod.com/images/3linkbuild/CIMG3182.JPG

http://www.lightningmod.com/images/3linkbuild/CIMG3193.JPG



Lower and upper link mounts are on the rear axle!!

http://www.lightningmod.com/images/3linkbuild/CIMG3199.JPG

http://www.lightningmod.com/images/3linkbuild/CIMG3200.JPG

Little hackery on the frame for the teenie tiny notches I will be making.

http://www.lightningmod.com/images/3linkbuild/CIMG3209.JPG

[pitstain]

Front frame mounts bolted on, and with 5/8" grade 8 all the way...and they tie into my Kenny Brown X-factor.

http://www.lightningmod.com/images/3linkbuild/CIMG3203.JPG

http://www.lightningmod.com/images/3linkbuild/CIMG3204.JPG

http://www.lightningmod.com/images/3linkbuild/CIMG3211.JPG

http://www.lightningmod.com/images/3linkbuild/CIMG3212.JPG

[pitstain]

Tube for one of the link bars, cut to length and drilled for plug welds, threaded inserts moked up, and a finished and painted link bar.

http://www.lightningmod.com/images/3linkbuild/2/008.JPG

http://www.lightningmod.com/images/3linkbuild/2/011.JPG

http://www.lightningmod.com/images/3linkbuild/2/012.JPG

http://www.lightningmod.com/images/3linkbuild/2/CIMG3221.JPG


The watts linkage, just need to build the clamp on axle tube mounts next week.

http://www.lightningmod.com/images/3linkbuild/2/021.JPG

[pitstain]

Some of the prep done to the airlines to armour them up, all airlines covered in techflex braided sleeve and fully wrapped in 3M super 88 electrical tape.

http://www.lightningmod.com/images/3linkbuild/2/CIMG3229.JPG

http://www.lightningmod.com/images/3linkbuild/2/CIMG3230.JPG


Gave a little love to the axles with some paint.

http://www.lightningmod.com/images/3linkbuild/2/CIMG3234.JPG

http://www.lightningmod.com/images/3linkbuild/2/CIMG3236.JPG

[pitstain]

Air compressors all wired up with relays and fuses, all done up with techflex, electrical tape and split loom, also plumbed some of the airlines.

http://www.lightningmod.com/images/3linkbuild/2/CIMG3237.JPG

http://www.lightningmod.com/images/3linkbuild/2/CIMG3238.JPG

http://www.lightningmod.com/images/3linkbuild/2/CIMG3241.JPG


Some of the airline and wiring harness routing through the frame with rubber grommets.

http://www.lightningmod.com/images/3linkbuild/2/CIMG3242.JPG

http://www.lightningmod.com/images/3linkbuild/2/CIMG3243.JPG

[pitstain]

Got the Hydratech hydroboost unit installed on the firewall.

http://www.lightningmod.com/images/3linkbuild/2/CIMG3245.JPG

http://www.lightningmod.com/images/3linkbuild/2/CIMG3246.JPG

AND......DRUMROLL......the rear is back under the truck with all the links, rear shockwaves, rear rideheight sensors, AND new smaller stage 2 TCE rear brakes installed.....

http://www.lightningmod.com/images/3linkbuild/2/CIMG3247.JPG

http://www.lightningmod.com/images/3linkbuild/2/CIMG3248.JPG


Oh anyone need my parking brake leftovers.....?

http://www.lightningmod.com/images/3linkbuild/2/CIMG3250.JPG

[Cread01]

cool write up. I have been thinking about doin a 4 link for mine, this gives fuel to the fire.

[pitstain]

Thanks man, and a 4 link with panhard would be a walk in the park after this project, so DO IT !!:thumbsup:

[pitstain]

Ok here was the final flurry of work on the truck, and sorry guys, but my ego precludes me from posting final pictures of the truck completed until I detail the pig.

The LFP radiator loaded up with my two 16" troyer fans ready to go in, and yes it does run cooler now, particularly in traffic and while idling when it is needed most.

http://lightningmod.com/images/3linkbuild/3/CIMG3253.JPG

A few shots of the rear end showing the Watt's linkage, and it's accompanying axle tube brackets which I had to weld the swaybar mounts to since they had to share the same space on the tubes.

http://lightningmod.com/images/3linkbuild/3/CIMG3254.JPG

http://lightningmod.com/images/3linkbuild/3/CIMG3255.JPG

http://lightningmod.com/images/3linkbuild/3/CIMG3256.JPG

http://lightningmod.com/images/3linkbuild/3/CIMG3257.JPG

[pitstain]

http://lightningmod.com/images/3linkbuild/3/CIMG3258.JPG

Some front suspension shots showing the front shockwaves, WMS tubular arms, and power rack setup (pardon the surface rust, grinding dust that sits for 2 months causes some issues.


http://lightningmod.com/images/3linkbuild/3/CIMG3259.JPG

http://lightningmod.com/images/3linkbuild/3/CIMG3260.JPG

Master cylinder mounted on the hydrobooster.....umm well it's under that mess of wires, trust me.

http://lightningmod.com/images/3linkbuild/3/CIMG3261.JPG

The AirRide control panel mounted in my CF switch panel.

http://lightningmod.com/images/3linkbuild/3/CIMG3264.JPG

[pitstain]

The rear end is finally off my ghetto saw horse jack stand !!

http://lightningmod.com/images/3linkbuild/3/CIMG3266.JPG

Sitting at near ride height, and yes it is riding DIRTY !!

http://lightningmod.com/images/3linkbuild/3/CIMG3268.JPG

http://lightningmod.com/images/3linkbuild/3/CIMG3269.JPG

The first sunlight it has seen in MONTHS, errr maybe I shoulda kept it indoors........LOL

http://lightningmod.com/images/3linkbuild/3/CIMG3270.JPG

And the spoils of my toils, a homebuilt, mad-scientist, 3-linked, airbagged, lightning rear suspension.

http://lightningmod.com/images/3linkbuild/3/CIMG3273.JPG


Again, final shots once she gets some serious detailing, even I have some shame....

[badmatt]

LOOKS AWESOME! want to sell me som of that tech flex ;)

[syborg tt]

okay okay - share the pics i know the truck is complete

http://www.lateral-g.net/forums/showthread.php4?t=16472

I want to see what the truck looks like with the bed back on

awesome build up.

[pitstain]

okay okay - share the pics i know the truck is complete

http://www.lateral-g.net/forums/showthread.php4?t=16472

I want to see what the truck looks like with the bed back on

awesome build up.

My mother said I can't take pictures of it until I finish detailing it.......:rolleyes:

[RobG]

Nice job Ian !!!

Nice to see people taking these trucks up a few notches in the handling dept.

How do you like the watts link so far?

[pitstain]

LOOKS AWESOME! want to sell me som of that tech flex ;)


I used my entire 100' roll of 1/4".......:wow:

[pitstain]

Nice job Ian !!!

Nice to see people taking these trucks up a few notches in the handling dept.

How do you like the watts link so far?

I like it just fine, it articulates perfectly, and the rear end is super stable, somehow my dumbass got it right, with alot of advice from Jim Fay of course.

[WILWAXU]

Cool truck!

[pitstain]

Figured I would post up some updates, as I never really got around to putting up shots of the truck all done.

From Carlisle All Ford Nationals this past weekend.

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3625/3607990066_c3a415d572_b.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3343/3607530455_1e937de0e7_b.jpg

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2462/3607534165_a0031a83fa_b.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3396/3607575631_faa8d545c8_b.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3364/3608648970_f945718726_b.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3323/3608659666_03fcdb932e_b.jpg

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2484/3608670756_b888da2f50_b.jpg


http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3360/3608023726_6ff3a4e850_b.jpg


http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3358/3608173950_8bfc82b116_b.jpg

[SickSpeedMonte]

That's sick. It looks great and it performs great too!

[WILWAXU]

Good stuff. Thanks for the updates.

[pitstain]

Thanks guys, and I am already in the process of upgrading my shockwaves to the new internal sensor units, YAY no more mechanical ride height sensors :thumbsup: