3"/5" drop, 17s....ideas?
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Joined: Aug 2009
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From: Mexia, TX
3"/5" drop, 17s....ideas?
1981 F150, 2wd, currently stock suspension.
Been wanting to put some DJM Dream Beams on for a while now, and drop the rear so the truck sits about level. If I recall, the later Lightning trucks (pre-97) had 17s from the factory, and from pics I've seen, they are just right, not too big and not too small.
Does anyone have any pics of our era of trucks that are running 17s? As well as any suggestions or ideas about lowering it, like alignment issues, tire wear, etc.
Been wanting to put some DJM Dream Beams on for a while now, and drop the rear so the truck sits about level. If I recall, the later Lightning trucks (pre-97) had 17s from the factory, and from pics I've seen, they are just right, not too big and not too small.
Does anyone have any pics of our era of trucks that are running 17s? As well as any suggestions or ideas about lowering it, like alignment issues, tire wear, etc.
Post Fiend
Joined: Dec 2007
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From: Lost
Your truck being an 81 could have either king pins OR ball joints. If it's king pins, the DJM beams are all but gone. Every now and then, a set shows up for sale, but rarely when someone who needs this style is actually looking....
On the other hand, if it has ball joints, those beams are still available new. I'd advise switching to the ball joint style and hunting down some spindles to fit, if you have king pin beams currently. Not only are the parts easier to come by, but alignment is MUCH easier with the ball joints.
FWIW, king pin f100/f150's were 80/81 only. The ball joints came along late 81/82 and stuck around until the end of the 96 model year, so the beams are interchangable from 82-96.
On the other hand, if it has ball joints, those beams are still available new. I'd advise switching to the ball joint style and hunting down some spindles to fit, if you have king pin beams currently. Not only are the parts easier to come by, but alignment is MUCH easier with the ball joints.
FWIW, king pin f100/f150's were 80/81 only. The ball joints came along late 81/82 and stuck around until the end of the 96 model year, so the beams are interchangable from 82-96.
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From: Mexia, TX
It's got ball joints (worn out ones at that...lol). I priced some new Beams on Summit at around $600. I can't recall if they come with bushings and whatnot, or if I need new radius arms or not.
I found a pic in the 87-96 section of about how I want mine to sit...cept the new wheels probably aren't going to be shiny like these. I'm wanting something blacked out, maybe with a natural or polished outer edge.
Not sure if this is a bigger drop than 3/5.
I found a pic in the 87-96 section of about how I want mine to sit...cept the new wheels probably aren't going to be shiny like these. I'm wanting something blacked out, maybe with a natural or polished outer edge.
Not sure if this is a bigger drop than 3/5.
Post Fiend
Joined: Dec 2007
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From: Lost
I prefer the king pin style for the sheer durability. Keep the pins well greased, and they should last 1 Million or more miles. Probably why they still use them today under trucks over 1 ton rated all the way to semi's. Almost anything with a solid front axle has king pins. Both my 80 F150 and 74 F100 are still running the factory king pins.....
On the other hand, the ball joint style is far better for alignment techs. I have this type I-beams under my 95 B2300 (re-badged Ford Ranger). I'm just happy it has the Twin I beam suspension, rather than the upper/lower A-arm type that came along with the 97+ F150 and 98+ ranger/b-series. Twin I beam suspension can take a lot more of a beating, and live to tell about it, compared to the U/L a arm style.
Factory ball joints were not greaseable, while most aftermarket replacements are. Grease is MUCH cheaper than parts. That's my story, and I'll stick to it till I die.......
On the other hand, the ball joint style is far better for alignment techs. I have this type I-beams under my 95 B2300 (re-badged Ford Ranger). I'm just happy it has the Twin I beam suspension, rather than the upper/lower A-arm type that came along with the 97+ F150 and 98+ ranger/b-series. Twin I beam suspension can take a lot more of a beating, and live to tell about it, compared to the U/L a arm style.
Factory ball joints were not greaseable, while most aftermarket replacements are. Grease is MUCH cheaper than parts. That's my story, and I'll stick to it till I die.......
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From: Mexia, TX
I seem to recall trying to grease my ball joints like 4 years ago, but it wouldn't take any...no telling if mine are stock or not.
Agreed on the durability of TIB/TTB. People love to hate on 'em and say they ain't worth anything, but the same people are putting massive and heavy tires on a truck that wasn't designed for them. Of course stuff is going to break. I've had my truck since '02 and I have not had to service anything on the front end aside from radius arm bushings and brakes. And that's to be expected on a 30 year old truck.
I'm wondering if I'll have to change springs when I lower it....I'm almost certain I'll have to change shocks. I need to do all that stuff anyway, my springs are limp and my shocks aren't that good either lol...
Agreed on the durability of TIB/TTB. People love to hate on 'em and say they ain't worth anything, but the same people are putting massive and heavy tires on a truck that wasn't designed for them. Of course stuff is going to break. I've had my truck since '02 and I have not had to service anything on the front end aside from radius arm bushings and brakes. And that's to be expected on a 30 year old truck.
I'm wondering if I'll have to change springs when I lower it....I'm almost certain I'll have to change shocks. I need to do all that stuff anyway, my springs are limp and my shocks aren't that good either lol...
Post Fiend
Joined: Dec 2007
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From: Lost
I think the drop beams are designed to use standard springs. Not sure about shocks, that would need to directed at DJM. I'm pretty sure the rear would require special shocks, since the axle is closer to the frame. Up front, the axles remain the same distance from the frame, but the spindle location is different.
Posting Guru
Joined: Jun 2004
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From: Casa Grande
It's got ball joints (worn out ones at that...lol). I priced some new Beams on Summit at around $600. I can't recall if they come with bushings and whatnot, or if I need new radius arms or not.
I found a pic in the 87-96 section of about how I want mine to sit...cept the new wheels probably aren't going to be shiny like these. I'm wanting something blacked out, maybe with a natural or polished outer edge.
Not sure if this is a bigger drop than 3/5.
I found a pic in the 87-96 section of about how I want mine to sit...cept the new wheels probably aren't going to be shiny like these. I'm wanting something blacked out, maybe with a natural or polished outer edge.
Not sure if this is a bigger drop than 3/5.
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More Turbo
Joined: Oct 2009
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From: Jonesborough, TN
The front springs do not change. If you do cut them, you'll have alignment issues. Since the front shocks attach right beside the spring, they shouldn't change. The rear shocks go from the axle to the frame which will shorten up and so new rear shocks will be required. I was under my truck a couple nights ago. Not a lot of room to work with. It looked like about 6 inches to the bottom of the bump stop. I've got to pull the bed and do a lot of measurements and drawing, as I'm planning to replace the leaf springs with a four link/air bag suspension setup. Yup, a work in progress.
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Senior User
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Ditto the 17" Lightning rims. We have smaller wheel wells and have yet to try a set. There was a few sets for sale at the MIR Ford event this weekend and I was really holding back.
I got my beams at Custom Connection - Air Bag Suspension Kit, Air Bag, Air Compressor, Valves,Tank, 4 link
I got my beams at Custom Connection - Air Bag Suspension Kit, Air Bag, Air Compressor, Valves,Tank, 4 link
More Turbo
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 731
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From: Jonesborough, TN
Hey KirbyMan,
17's should fit with no problems. With 17's you'll be using a lower profile tire, keeping the diameter of the tire about the same as stock or slightly smaller. One problem you'll run into is a much more limited selection of rims since we have the 5x5.5 bolt pattern. Tirerack.com has specs that provide the diameter of different tire sizes for many, many tire brands/styles.
I've been tempted to try and find one of those tire fitment tools to check clearances before I sink a bunch of money in wheels and tires and find out I have clearance issues. Once I get her lowered, get the fenders and box back on, and check clearances to see what I can fit in those wheel wells. Sounds like you got some fun times ahead. Good luck.
17's should fit with no problems. With 17's you'll be using a lower profile tire, keeping the diameter of the tire about the same as stock or slightly smaller. One problem you'll run into is a much more limited selection of rims since we have the 5x5.5 bolt pattern. Tirerack.com has specs that provide the diameter of different tire sizes for many, many tire brands/styles.
I've been tempted to try and find one of those tire fitment tools to check clearances before I sink a bunch of money in wheels and tires and find out I have clearance issues. Once I get her lowered, get the fenders and box back on, and check clearances to see what I can fit in those wheel wells. Sounds like you got some fun times ahead. Good luck.
Junior User
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 50
Likes: 0
Your truck being an 81 could have either king pins OR ball joints. If it's king pins, the DJM beams are all but gone. Every now and then, a set shows up for sale, but rarely when someone who needs this style is actually looking....
On the other hand, if it has ball joints, those beams are still available new. I'd advise switching to the ball joint style and hunting down some spindles to fit, if you have king pin beams currently. Not only are the parts easier to come by, but alignment is MUCH easier with the ball joints.
FWIW, king pin f100/f150's were 80/81 only. The ball joints came along late 81/82 and stuck around until the end of the 96 model year, so the beams are interchangable from 82-96.
On the other hand, if it has ball joints, those beams are still available new. I'd advise switching to the ball joint style and hunting down some spindles to fit, if you have king pin beams currently. Not only are the parts easier to come by, but alignment is MUCH easier with the ball joints.
FWIW, king pin f100/f150's were 80/81 only. The ball joints came along late 81/82 and stuck around until the end of the 96 model year, so the beams are interchangable from 82-96.
More Turbo
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 731
Likes: 6
From: Jonesborough, TN
You'll need to go to the junkyard and get the spindles from an 83-86 model. The 83-86 DJM DreamBeams (with ball joints in the axle) will will replace your current axle, and the newer spindle will bolt to that. 83-86 F150's had a 5x5.5 bolt pattern, so if you have the smaller pattern that was found on one of the early 80's models, you may have to change the wheels as well.
Good luck.
Good luck.
Junior User
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 50
Likes: 0
You'll need to go to the junkyard and get the spindles from an 83-86 model. The 83-86 DJM DreamBeams (with ball joints in the axle) will will replace your current axle, and the newer spindle will bolt to that. 83-86 F150's had a 5x5.5 bolt pattern, so if you have the smaller pattern that was found on one of the early 80's models, you may have to change the wheels as well.
Good luck.
Good luck.
so what your saying is the f100 has a smaller bolt pattern then the f150's? and in that case i got to change the rear axels too i guess.
Moderator
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 22,415
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From: Denver Metro Area, CO
You'll need to go to the junkyard and get the spindles from an 83-86 model. The 83-86 DJM DreamBeams (with ball joints in the axle) will will replace your current axle, and the newer spindle will bolt to that. 83-86 F150's had a 5x5.5 bolt pattern, so if you have the smaller pattern that was found on one of the early 80's models, you may have to change the front wheels as well.
Good luck.
Good luck.
This change would require carrying two spare tires, no?
More Turbo
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 731
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From: Jonesborough, TN
giannakos444444,
I know that there were a couple of years where the F100's had a different bolt pattern, but I'm not sure which they were. I just wanted to warn you to double check your bolt pattern. You're new spindles will use the newer calipers and rotors, with the 5 x 5.5 bolt pattern. If your current wheels are the smaller bolt pattern, you'll need to change at least the front. If you're at the JY, and the donor truck has the same type rear end as yours, pull the rear axles, too, so front and back match. If you don't, you'll just need to carry two spares, or extra green slime. ;-)
I know that there were a couple of years where the F100's had a different bolt pattern, but I'm not sure which they were. I just wanted to warn you to double check your bolt pattern. You're new spindles will use the newer calipers and rotors, with the 5 x 5.5 bolt pattern. If your current wheels are the smaller bolt pattern, you'll need to change at least the front. If you're at the JY, and the donor truck has the same type rear end as yours, pull the rear axles, too, so front and back match. If you don't, you'll just need to carry two spares, or extra green slime. ;-)