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Hi Guys, I'm in the U.K. And I need to replace my King Pins. I've had a replacement kit sent over. The problem is the mechanic doing the job for me says they have to be reamed in. Do any of you know what size reamer I need for my 1971 F100? Thanks so much for all your advice.
You need an adjustable reamer with blades. They are available in different sizes and have a range of adjustability that will allow you to precisely fit your kingpins or spindle bolts as old timers like to call them.
There is an alternative: plastic bushings. I know, I know, perish the thought. I've installed them a couple of times over the years and they are more durable than you can imagine.
Ultra, our rear-end guy is our local reamer expert. If we can get his attention he will be in to explicate. He has put up good stuff about the topic and will bend over backwards to guide you.
You have replaced plastic bushings a couple of times over the years, you say.
Methinks you have underlined our collective thinking on plastic bushings.
I've done two sets of bronze kingpin bushings but, I wouldn't say I'm an expert on the subject.
A '65-'79 F100 or '75-'79 F150 kingpin will be .859" in diameter. '75-'79 F100/F150 kingpins will be slightly longer than previous models but, the diameters are the same.
I borrowed an adjustable reamer in 2014 from a local engine shop. I don't remember the minimum and maximum range of the reamer but it fell within range of the .859" dimensions. I just took a little off the bushings at a time, check-fit the kingpin, readjusted the reamer, ream some more until the kingpin would finally fit through the bushings by hand with some resistance.
This on my '69 F100 when I was installing front discs from a '77 F100.
Left disc brake spindle installed on I-beam.
I made a tool to insert the bushings into the spindle bores. --This was done a couple of months ago on a '72 F100 I converted to front discs from a '75 F100/F150.
Don't want to hijack, but I'd like to piggyback on this thread as I think it is relevant. Ok, I am replacing the I-Beams outboard on the 75 supercab shortbed 2wd we are restoring. I bought all new brakes pad the works, well there was not much of a selection for pads as it uses the older style dual caliper set up with the the nutted pins and springs. My son and I spent 5 hours traveling and picking up a donor 78 F250 2wd, to use as a donor for the arms out, as it does have the dual piston set up to convert the 75 to the more modern step-up. 1st question, have heard that there are a couple of King pin size differences thru the yrs. anyone know if a 78 reg cab longbed uses the same size king pin as a 78-79 2wd Supercab shortbed? Not only am I trying to get the more modern design and ease of just drop pads into the bracket, but the pad material selection goes up as does the types and styles of rotors and weird but the prices actually go down on the later style. I tried searching and not much talk about replacing the king Pins, most are years old, do people just not replace these or is it that they just farm it out to a shop. If anyones done it lately through a shop, can they post what they were charged? Thanks, gotta love this Site.
Don't want to hijack, but I'd like to piggyback on this thread as I think it is relevant. Ok, I am replacing the I-Beams outboard on the 75 supercab shortbed 2wd we are restoring. I bought all new brakes pad the works, well there was not much of a selection for pads as it uses the older style dual caliper set up with the the nutted pins and springs. My son and I spent 5 hours traveling and picking up a donor 78 F250 2wd, to use as a donor for the arms out, as it does have the dual piston set up to convert the 75 to the more modern step-up. 1st question, have heard that there are a couple of King pin size differences thru the yrs. anyone know if a 78 reg cab longbed uses the same size king pin as a 78-79 2wd Supercab shortbed? Not only am I trying to get the more modern design and ease of just drop pads into the bracket, but the pad material selection goes up as does the types and styles of rotors and weird but the prices actually go down on the later style. I tried searching and not much talk about replacing the king Pins, most are years old, do people just not replace these or is it that they just farm it out to a shop. If anyones done it lately through a shop, can they post what they were charged? Thanks, gotta love this Site.
Depends on the GVW of the regular cab. From Ultraranger's post right above yours....go here.
Kingpin dimensions:
If you know how to use a press, I would do it myself. I did all the work except that I had the bushings reamed by a front-end shop. For the same money I could have bought a used reamer on eBay and done it myself more precisely and cleanly than they did.
If you know how to use a press, I would do it myself. I did all the work except that I had the bushings reamed by a front-end shop. For the same money I could have bought a used reamer on eBay and done it myself more precisely and cleanly than they did.
Nice to see a Slick guy visit the Bumpside Kingdom. Welcome!
Thanks! I visit all the older truck forums as mine is a "hybrid" anyway. There's always something to learn.
Well "brid" away with us. No sense lurking. Join the fun. Bunch of great people here. A lot of wisdom, heart, soul, and talent beyond belief also.
Listed on the below thread of mine are some of them. Trying to think of all the awesome builds that have been here is like trying to name all the great rock-n-roll bands of the 70's.
Ultra, our rear-end guy is our local reamer expert. If we can get his attention he will be in to explicate. He has put up good stuff about the topic and will bend over backwards to guide you.
You have replaced plastic bushings a couple of times over the years, you say.
Methinks you have underlined our collective thinking on plastic bushings.
Go metal.
I'm not sure but I might need to be offended by this!!
11-27-2016, 03:00 PM
....go here.
No sense lurking. Join the fun. 
Bunch of great people here. A lot of wisdom, heart, soul, and talent beyond belief also.
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