So, I'm not the only one! I guess I better find some more boots!

 

Mine is almost a year old with right around 1000 miles already. LOOK OK TO ME. I luv my TCI IFS . Drives great !!!!!

 

Mine are coming up on two years and the tie rod boots are split. The ball joint boots have black rubber dust that crumbles off of the outer surfaces. I'm hoping to put in the wiring harness next week(I'm in the middle of a major bathroom remodel-so we'll see).

 

I just cannot get over what I am reading about these boots and rubber pieces breaking down. That's just unbelievable. Are these companies just turning a blind eye to this problem? I mean seriously. Who ever heard of rubber components (no matter how cheap they may be) literally breaking down on vehicles that are presumptively in dry climates and have never even been out on the highway yet?

 

Hey Wade,
We've got a 1950 F1 & were faced with a lot of the same issues & our plan was for just a weekender. I went went with the No Limit Wide Ride IFS to get the large disc brakes up front. It was expensive - $3K for the No limit Parts & $2K to get someone with good welding skills to install it.
Then you have to re-set your motor mounts, fix the rust under there, etc.....

I think I'd take a run at keeping the stock front end but just upgrade the king pins, et al. You won't win any speed records but for just bumping around town you should be ok with new drums & a rebuilt stock front end.

Ben in Austin

 

Thanks Ben, If I stay with the OEM front end and upgrade to disc in the front, what's the best option to moderize the steering? Toyota upgrade? any other options? I fully expect the steering box to be worn as this was a Kansas farm truck.....
Thanks again,
w

 

Hey Wade,
Most everyone on here has gone with the Toyota box - I haven't seen many complaints. Just one note - Steering - the box, the column, steering wheel, the Borgeson joints to hook the column to the box, etc. It get's pricey once again as you delve into there replacing worn parts. It's hard to stop replacing stuff. The actual toyota box can be had fairly reasonably - from there up to the column & wheel can be expensive.

There is a lot of play in the steering of these old trucks - you could move mine a lot with no steering response - kind of get's your attention. I've looked at it a bunch of different ways but I ended up replacing most of it with expensive new parts - I've got kids & I didn't want the steering to come apart at speed.

Ben in Austin

 

Hey Wade,
One last note - I like your plan to upgrade to front discs - If your truck is anything like mine it was an eye opening experience the first time you try to stop it when you are used to modern power brakes. I'm in a fairly large town with lot's of larger roads - I did not like taking the truck on the highways around here with the drum brakes I had. I put new brake shoes & drums on there - never could get happy with crowded freeway driving & those brakes. (A lot of folks will have different opinions - I like front disc brakes). As part of your brake upgrade you will want to upgrade the master cylinder to dual chambers & I replaced all the old brake lines - they were very brittle & leaked on my truck.

Ben in Austin

 

My thoughts as well.... thanks for the advice.
w