This is my first post on any forum ever, so please be gentle.

I have a 1990 Ford f150 5.0li V8, I have been looking to level the front end and I have done quite a bit of searching and can't quite find what I'm looking for. I'm very new with automotive stuff but very good with tools so I like DIY things.
I understand that I might need to have a shop do this stuff for me but if I can do any of it myself I would rather not she'll out cash for labor.
My questions are:
What will I need to buy to level my truck in addition to coil springs?
What sort of springs should I get?
Do I need new shocks?
Do I need to adjust the rear end at all?
What sort of bushings do I need?

I have talked to a guy at my local 4wheelparts store but he wasn't much help.

Sorry if my questions are obvious but I can't find answers anywhere else.
Thanks for any advice.
I hope I'm doing this right.

 

If you just want to level the front with the back
you can either get new coil springs or coil spring spacers

either way you go you'll probably need to get new camber alignment bushings

If you go more than probably 2'' you might not be able to get the camber corrected without drop brackets.

 

1980-1996 Ford F150 Alignment Camber Bushing - Suspension - Moog, Front 80-96 F150 Alignment Camber Bushing - 5296-07092448 - PartsGeek

So this is what I would need? I know there are adjustable ones as well.

 

If you don't mind my asking, how many miles on the truck. If it has original springs, could they be sagging, and so factory springs might bring it up to an acceptable level?

As for bushings, i'd inspected them, and replace any that look especially worn, and deteriorated. However, I also believe i've seen kits that have a lot of the bushings, so that may be a cheaper way to go, and just do them all. I'd have to look again, though to remember where i saw that at.

It's never a bad idea to replace shocks, unless they are brand new. Loosen one end up and see how well\easy it compresses. I think every time I've done springs, I've also done shocks on my personal vehicles, it does make a difference in the ride, every time.

Also, this thread needs more pics Just saying! Oh and welcome to FTE!

 

Yeah you might need more adjustable than that I don't know how much your camber will be off.

 

And even at stock height without sagging springs the trucks still have a rake in the front to help with handling while hauling.

 

The odometer already roolled once and I'm assuming it has around 200k on it. I do want to get rid of the rake on the front and allot of the bushings do look worn down there. I'm not sure how to post a picture haha if I figure it out I will but I'm on a smart phone.

Another question would be are thee any brands to stay away from? I feel like its slim pickings because of the year of the truck to find allot of options but I don't want to invest in crap parts.

 

Not the best picture but its what i have.

 

Good looking truck Joe!

I'd say the front looks like it is sagging from the stock height, but that's just my opinion.

As for the Camber bolt, once you have everything replaced that you are planning on doing, take it to a good alignment guy, and he should be able to tell you what, if any adjustment is needed and how many degrees of adjustment.

 

I'm having a local shop look it over and tell me what's going bad on it and what I'm going to need to replace things. They will do that Saturday so I can give an update after I know what's going on.

Any questions i should ask them? Or anything g specific they should look at?

 

Make sure to check the bushings in the arms where they attach to the frame under the engine. A little bit of play there make a huge difference at the wheels. Also check the radius arm bushings.

 

Yes, I think you might find that your front coil springs are weak or have a small piece broken off of them. That or the rears have been beefed up, the gap does look large around the top of the tire.

 

I haven't noticed any missing pieces but they are rusted to hell.

Another point I forgot to mention, the guy I bought it from had a goose neck hitch in the back. He had horse trailers I think. Would he have beefed up the rear suspension to handle that?

 

he certainly could have. Can you get a picture from under the truck of the rear axle - spring perch area looking out. We could maybe tell by the number of springs in the pack or any items that may not normally be there.

 

Front driver