I have a '76 2wdF-100. Wanting to make it in to a prerunner of sorts. I know autofab has good products. Who else does suspension for these old i-beamed beasts? What are some things to keep in mind. I live in Missouri so I wont really be desert running but there are some dunes within decent driving distance. And maybe sometime I could head out west for fun. Ever since I rented a dune buggy up at silver lake in Michigan, I've been set to have something bigger and faster.

What are good suspension set ups? Four link or leaf spring rear?

 

Not many people make "kits" for these. Heck, I think Autofab may be the only one. Most people out here either do their own work or run autofab stuff.

As for the rear suspension - it all depends on how big you want to go and how deep your pockets are. A seat of deaver or national leafs on the rear will work really well for a LOT less than a 4 link setup!

 

Yea im leaning towards leafs just cause I haven't had any experience with a vehicle like this before. I think id be happier with a leaf set up for now. Ill Prolly go with the autofab front. Like I said I don't have experience in this so I guess ill go the easy way. I just wasn't sure if there was anyone else who made kits.

I have buddies that rock crawl but I like speed. And dunes are fun as hell. Im sold

 

here's my build threadhttps://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/1...ndustries.html

you can do a lot of this stuff yourself, all of it if you can weld. I have a long way to go, but it gives you a place to start.

I can post up my Tundra build thread if you want, lemme know.

Keith

 

yee-haww!

 

Running autofab front? Whatcha running for rear suspension?

 

Yes his front is autofab.

Rear is Deaver leafs. The F53 pack if I remember right.

 

Does that spring pack go right in the stock locations? What kind of shackle?

 

Yes stock location. I think he used a Bel-tech shackle, but lots of people (fab shops out here mainly) make shackles for these.

 

What part of MO you from? check out the Missouri Chapter - Ford Truck Enthusiasts Forums !

 

yea, chasetruck is right, autofab front, 5" coils w/ dual rate, about 450 over 500 lbs/sq in. The rear springs were some national leafs chasetruck found for me at a local offroad swapmeet a while back, and I had them re-built by Deaver springs to their specs. They bolted up in the stock location, but sat too high, so I used some 2" drop shackels, um, from, chassis-tech I think. Something with a tech in it-hahaheheh. For me and my budget, it's a great combo. Oh, BTW, my 76' F250 was using 3" wide leafsprings stock, and the Deaver springs are only 2", so Deaver put in wide bushings to make up the difference. Came out awesome. I'm using old hand-me-down bilstein 5100's on all 4 corners.

 

How are the 5100s? Do you have any experience with Ranchos? I have had a couple sets of RS5000s, and they seem ok for a budget. Do you have experience that you could compare the two?

 

My buddy bought 5100's for his super duty. He had ranchos and monroes before that. Said there's no comparison. 5100's are hands down better. I had fox 2.0's on my old super duty. FANTASTIC!

 

That's good to know. I thought the ranchos were a pretty good upgrade over stock, so if the 5100s blow them away, then they must REALLY improve the ride!

 

Ranchos aren't bad by any means but for the not so huge cost difference (last time I checked at least) go with the bilsteins. I've run both and the bilsteins work well.