Installing Hotchkis Performance Suspension On A Gen II Lightning Pickup - Hunkered Down

Ford puts square washers into the upper A-arms at the factory to lock in camber, but since we're lowering ride height, it's a good idea to add a Hotchkis Camber Adjustment Kit for proper handling and tire wear. The notched bolt and round washer will allow us to change camber by turning the bolt during the alignment process.

Hotchkis has Bilstein Shocks made specifically to its spec for this kit, which features special valve settings to work in harmony with the rest of the TVS system. The result is a supple ride and asphalt-shredding handling.

The shock slides easily into the spring and is bolted on from the top and bottom.

This shot is a pretty good example of the difference between a stock Lightning front sway bar (left) and the Hotchkis unit (right). Thicker, stronger, and featuring different geometry, the big bar makes a huge difference on the road.

Here Corey bolts the front sway bar mounts back onto the frame.

Since stock rubber bushings can cause excess flex, Hotchkis supplies all their sway bars with urethane bushings. It's important to grease these bushings prior to assembly with the included grease.

Hotchkis also supplies hardware like Grade-8 bolts, and stronger end links built to handle the extra pressure created by a bigger bar.

Next up, we removed the stock rear sway bar. Most F-150s, including the H-D trucks, don't have one, so swapping in a larger Hotchkis bar takes a few extra steps, including drilling holes in the frame. Since the Lightning comes with a rear bar, the swap is much easier.

The rear leaf springs are pretty easy to remove, just do one side at a time. With the truck up in the air, place a jack under the rear end and unbolt the shocks, then pull the bolts out of the front and rear of the leaf springs.