Front suspension options

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May 24, 2011 | 02:34 PM

#16

tinman52

Welder User

Joined: Feb 2009

Posts: 5,269

Likes: 50

From: northwest MT

Depends on how you plan to use your truck.......Daily driver? Long trips? City traffic?

I'm pretty rural here, I live on a dirt road.....so I didn't want my truck too low. I removed a few leaves, in front and back, and dearched the remaining front ones. That's it. It rides pretty good. Every thing else is stock....I like the "old truck" experience.
I may upgrade to a dual master cyl someday though.

Decide how you want to use your truck......also consider cost and time involved vs. the end result.

May 24, 2011 | 03:07 PM

#17

Pappys53

Thread Starter

Laughing Gas

Joined: Sep 2008

Posts: 966

Likes: 27

From: Missouri

I have thought about taking the front springs off and take them to a spring shop in my area and have them rearched and take some leaves out. Then I get to thinking that I would not be able to move the springs forward to centering them. Why did ford build these trucks and not center the front wheels?

May 24, 2011 | 07:49 PM

#18

55 f350

Post Fiend

Joined: Mar 2007

Posts: 5,776

Likes: 2

From: springfield il

if it's why i think it would be just like with a set back axle on a class 8 truck like a dumper or one used in extreme tight places as we did . for steering purposes . the setback on them allowed them to turn tighter or easier , as this was what i was told . who knows . i bought to new springs with reversed eyes , took out every other leaf , and gonna run tires of at least 2 inches shorter height than the 235's on it now . all the math says i'll go from 14 inches under the front bumper to like 9-9.5 inches . i moved the rear / front spring hangers up to the top of the frame rail , got extended shackles , removed every other leaf and gonna run 205 75 15's on it there for about a 3.5 -4 inch drop in the rear . shackles 95 , springs 250 , the rest was free and not that much work to do . i will admit too having the advantage of doing it too the " new ' frame instead of the one my baby sits on now ............... makes it a tad easier .

May 24, 2011 | 10:48 PM

#19

Pappys53

Thread Starter

Laughing Gas

Joined: Sep 2008

Posts: 966

Likes: 27

From: Missouri

Hey 55 f350 what is the seat out of in the green 53 in your gallery? Is this the truck you were talking about above? Did you get new springs that moved the axle forward?

May 25, 2011 | 03:34 AM

#20

55 f350

Post Fiend

Joined: Mar 2007

Posts: 5,776

Likes: 2

From: springfield il

if its the red seat it was out of an 84 f150 . ed aka tardster has it now as im repairing the frame and putting my oe one in . and yep the mean green machine be the one i'm always referring to . no i didn't move it forward as i didn't want to spend the extra 100 bucks at this moment for an extended drag link to make it work . the white and green seat in some of the pics is the oe one covered in some material from 74 when the truck was repainted etc ................. i figure there's a reason as to why ford set the axle back not just they dropped the ball , prolly got to do with how quickly and tightly the ol' girl can turn just like i mentioned before . i did however take sy's advice and get the alignment wedges for the front they have listed in their catalog .

May 25, 2011 | 02:35 PM

#21

Pappys53

Thread Starter

Laughing Gas

Joined: Sep 2008

Posts: 966

Likes: 27

From: Missouri

Thanks 55 f350 for the info. Since I just put on the toyota pwr steering last year I think I will look into doing something with my springs. I need to figure out the brake issue so I can get it back on the road.

May 25, 2011 | 04:56 PM

#22

ZOOT

Elder User

Joined: Jun 2010

Posts: 934

Likes: 2

From: Sterling, Virginia

Sorry to disagree, but my MMII in my 52 F1 does drive like a car.

May 25, 2011 | 07:41 PM

#23

55 f350

Post Fiend

Joined: Mar 2007

Posts: 5,776

Likes: 2

From: springfield il

in my case i could easily stay with the factory drums and they would be adequate as it is not a hotrod !!!! i want to go too discs for several reasons : they don't fade away due to heat in heavy use , two they are easier to get replacement parts for { have you priced a new drum from carpenter or any one else for our trucks ????EEEEEEEEEEEEKKKKKSsssssssssss ! } then the 8.8 is a 5x4 1/2 bolt pattern so i need to change the front anyway ..... still going under the floor with the m/c irregardless and residual valves . i like the fairly uncluttered firewall , and the " romance " of the antiquated old pedals through the floor look .....................