Ford suspension
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Laughing Gas
Joined: Oct 2010
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From: Rock Valley, IA
Ford suspension
I haven't dealt much with ford suspensions. I'm shamed to say I've spent more time working on Chevy chassis working on our dirt track car. How can I tell which suspension/steering I have in the truck. It looks completely different than what I'm used to and I have no idea where to start troubleshooting if a problem arises. 
Just a general question. Nothing specific going wrong (yet). 
Just a general question. Nothing specific going wrong (yet).
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Joined: Apr 2009
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From: In the garage
Your front is either TTB (Twin Traction Beams) found on 4x4 F150, F250, and F350 (F350 up to 85.5 when Ford returned to the straight axle for the one tons) or TIB (Twin I-Beams) found on 2wd. Ford has been using the TIB for a long time now, but the TTB came out in 1980 for the 4x4's. The F-150 4wd are coil sprung front and the F250/F350 are leaf sprung. The rear suspension is your typical leaf spring setup, 2.5" springs on most 2wd and 3" on 4x4 or 2wd F350. Pretty simple.
The TTB is pretty much the red-headed stepchild, but has come into it's own as of late. The "go fast" desert crowd LOVES 'em and will stuff them under anything they can. I love how it soaks up the bumps going down the trails at speed. Some folks hate 'em and will pull 'em out ASAP. I've never had any major issues with mine, but I've taken the time to read up on it. Most issues aren't the fault of the suspension, but the lack of knowledge of setting them up.
The TTB is pretty much the red-headed stepchild, but has come into it's own as of late. The "go fast" desert crowd LOVES 'em and will stuff them under anything they can. I love how it soaks up the bumps going down the trails at speed. Some folks hate 'em and will pull 'em out ASAP. I've never had any major issues with mine, but I've taken the time to read up on it. Most issues aren't the fault of the suspension, but the lack of knowledge of setting them up.
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Laughing Gas
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 997
Likes: 2
From: Rock Valley, IA
Thanks dohc, I really appreciate the explanation. I have an '85 F350 so I'm guessing I have the TIB chassis. Are there any books, websites or reference material you can recommend that I read so I can get more familiar with the setup/maintenance?
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From: In the garage
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