Anyone done kingpins lately ? I have a 1979 F100 that I am going to install drop beams on, but have never done kingpins. I'm looking for advice and things to look out for or basically some tips and tricks before I get started. Thanks

 

They're hard, LOL
Get smoky out and put the new ones in the freezer the day before!!

 

Make sure you have a big hammer and large drift. Ive used and old diff cross pin. Use a vise grip to hold it. Sometimes you may need heat if its really rusted. Just make sure not to mushroom the end. you will then need a reamer to size the new bushings in the spindles if you use new bushings.

 

The best tool for kingpins is a recently calibrated checkbook and a truck shop.

 

Concur... some machine shops still know how to do them. Call around.

• Deliver the metal-bushed kingpin kit and spindles to the shop.
• Turnaround was about a week.. I told them I wasn't in a hurry and that doing them right was more important than doing them fast.
• Pay your bill... mine was $95
• Bring them home and install.
• Done... crack open a Miller Lite.

 

To drive the king pin out remove retaining bolt and the bottom grease cap but only remove the grease nipple from the top cap. Once the nipple is off drill a hole in the cap slightly larger than your drift pin or whatever your going to use ( a large bolt works) to drive out the king pin. Leaving the cap on will protect the threads on the spindle while your hammering away. Your new king pin set comes with new grease caps and fittings so you won't need the old ones.

A wheel cylinder hone can be used (with care) to ream the spindles for the new bushings but I agree that it's best to take them in to a machine shop.

Good luck.

Frank

 

I just did them in my '73. You need a torch, a 20 ton press, and a milling machine. ....at least that's what it took for mine.

 

Good tip on drilling the cap (from one who screwed the threads up on a 79 )