Im jumping on the off topic bandwagon...

For the autofab lift kits, I just want to make sure from the people who know before I get my little heart all set on something. The lift kits they sell, the 3-5" (depending on what ill get), are installable by a normal guy right? Not just by you mad desert racing fabricators? Its just a bolt in, align it, and then go jump the truck kinda deal right?

Chase,
I see you acquired a 70 F250...plans for it? pictures?

Hauler,

did ya take the new truck out? Whats powering that beast?

 

Autofab kits are "bolt" on - but it's more work than you think. Grinding, drilling or whatever out the rivets that hold on the radius arm mounts, coil buckets (depending on what kit you get) can SUCK and take a long time. But yes they are doable by a "normal" wrencher.

As for the '70 F-250. I've had it for years. It was in an accident and turned into a parts truck really. Only pics I have of it are OLD and came from a real, film type camera about 7 years ago - haha.

As for the "new" beast Hauler grabbed - it's got a 400 in it but isn't running right now.

 

highboy, I thought your truck was a 4x4? If its' 2WD, than yea, the Autofab 3"-5" kits can be done by some normal dude's. Hell, I did it! Now, the swap does take some time as chasetruck said. I got lucky, my truck had bolt on brackets for the stock radius arms, and all I had to do was unbolt them. I did have to do some drilling for the new radius arm brackets, that are relocated back about 6-8" for the longer wheel travel, but Autofab does use some existing holes from the factory. BUT, if you are going to use the 16" long travel kit, this kit requires you to use a shock hoop that needs to welded onto the top of the new Autofab coil bucket. The long travel coil buckets are built this way to use a larger 2.0-2.5 shock, or multiple shocks that would normaly not fit in and or around the stock-type coil bucket. ** Best thing to do is to look at Autofab's web site, and find the section in the browser called "Early Ford wheel travel." This will explain all you questions, and give you some visual's (picture's) as well. Anything else, let me know!

 

I have one of both! My dad will be taking the highboy off my hands for awhile, kinda fixing it up as he see's fit, and I recently acquired a sick 2wd that im debating on an autofab kit for in a few months.

Ive been lookin around at their site and figured i could handle it (ive lowered a truck before and helped install a few lift kits..cant be much different or difficult), so i was just checking to make sure there wasnt some magical desert dust i should be *winning* with before I pull the trigger on a kit.

 

well, highboy, since we seem to be "cyber buddies", I'll send you a bucket of magic desert dust for, um, ONE BILLION-FAFILLION DOLLARS.....! (that's my best Dr. Evil) Your dads got the 1/2ton shorty, right? If you've been around wrench's and you know how to tie your shoes, you should be fine with an autofab kit. John makes these kits for garage guys to bolt up. I made sure to mention to you 'bout the shock hoops because the parts truck we picked up has the 16" long travel kit installed, but the P/O did not get the hoops included, so I will have to have these welded/ fabbed up. If you want a straight up bolt on kit for a nice daily driven/ weekend fun truck, you don't need the 16" long travel kit. The 5" kit with longer radius arms and dual shock option will work very well, you've seen my pic's!! Just some food for thought.

 

Hey, to get back on topic, I re-read the whole thing, but couldn't find my answer

It looks like you have braided stainless steel brakelines. I have been cruising the internet to find extended ones for a 2wd F250, but haven't had any luck yet. Where did you get yours?

If I have it figured right, I think I could buy a set of highboy lines, but not 100% sure of that

 

Hauler,

Yes, he has that bumpside ('71) with the 302/AOD...and also my highboy. Im spoiling him i think.
Thanks for all the advice, it has helped a bunch.

P.S. A check for one billion fa-fillion dollars is on its way.

 

Ted, I had those steel braided lines made up by a local shop here called Mesa Hose, Costa Mesa, CA. Any hot rod or offroad shop should be able to make them, all I did was ask them to be longer to accomodate the new wheel travel.

 

Jason beat me to the answer on Mesa Hose. They are 2 minutes from my shop so I use them a bunch. Bring them a stock brake line and tell them how long you want the things to be and they silver solder/braze on the fittings and wa-la you have brake lines as long as you could want.

 

SA-WEET! now I can buy new shocks......

 

We have a similar place here in Boise. I was just wondering if they were an off-the-shelf part, or something custom. Thanks for the reply.

 

Jason - looks like we may need to switch screen names as my truck actually works as a hay hauler

 

I'd rather see one a your Ford's pullin' off work like that fo-sho!! I'm glad that you and your pops had a great weekend ridin' and ranchin'.

 

Oh I'd rather be in the fords doing it for sure. As usual the toyota works in a pinch though!

 

Truck looks great!!!! Why no tailgate?