Lowering question?
Moderator
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 56,984
Likes: 2,738
From: Virginia
Those expensive lowering beams are your only option for the original suspension. On the 4x4 you can only go up about 1.5 inches and barely get it aligned. I do not know how far you can go down on a 2wd and still get good tire wear, but I am going to guess not much over a inch since both the 2wd and 4x4 have the same suspension designs.
Now if you decide to put some other kind of suspension under, you can lower it a good amount.
Now if you decide to put some other kind of suspension under, you can lower it a good amount.
More Turbo
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 731
Likes: 6
From: Jonesborough, TN
I am assuming 2 wheel drive, since you're asking about lowering. DJM makes 3 inch Dream Beams and Summit Racing has the best prices that I found for them. They provide a 3 inch lower stance, supposedly, without resulting in alignment difficulties. Their design essentially raises the spindle, thus lowering the axle and not changing its orientation to the frame. Altering springs lowers the frame changing the orientation to the axle and thus, the camber, making alignment very difficult, if not impossible.
Senior User
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 347
Likes: 7
From: San Jose, CA
I found this on ebay, and 3" frond, 4" read is what I would like to do for my truck:
DJM 3-4 Drop Lowering Ford F-150 83-86 84 85 1983 1985 | eBay
Seller listed 1983 and up, but I have 1982: does it mean they have different suspension?
DJM 3-4 Drop Lowering Ford F-150 83-86 84 85 1983 1985 | eBay
Seller listed 1983 and up, but I have 1982: does it mean they have different suspension?
Moderator
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 56,984
Likes: 2,738
From: Virginia
The early trucks had a king pin axle and a smaller brake/spindle. If you want that kit to fit, you will have to go to the junkyard and get the spindles and brakes off the later model truck for the dropped beams to fit.
More Turbo
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 731
Likes: 6
From: Jonesborough, TN
Finding the spindles and brakes shouldn't be to hard, but getting that "Long Bolt" loose is a bear. A good cheater bar and hot wrench (torch) will be very useful in that endeavor. Once you have the spindles, new ball joints, calipers and pads, should allow you to finish the job.
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More Turbo
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 731
Likes: 6
From: Jonesborough, TN
I found this on ebay, and 3" frond, 4" read is what I would like to do for my truck:
DJM 3-4 Drop Lowering Ford F-150 83-86 84 85 1983 1985 | eBay
Seller listed 1983 and up, but I have 1982: does it mean they have different suspension?
DJM 3-4 Drop Lowering Ford F-150 83-86 84 85 1983 1985 | eBay
Seller listed 1983 and up, but I have 1982: does it mean they have different suspension?
Check out Summit Racing
DJM Suspension DB3000-3 - DJM Suspension Dream Beams - Overview - SummitRacing.com
DJM Suspension HS1123-4 - DJM Suspension Shackle and Hanger Kits - Overview - SummitRacing.com
plus $12.95 shipping on it.
As mentioned earlier, grab some spindles from the newer model and you've got a nice 3/4 inch drop.
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Posting Guru
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 1,092
Likes: 2
From: Casa Grande
I found this on ebay, and 3" frond, 4" read is what I would like to do for my truck:
DJM 3-4 Drop Lowering Ford F-150 83-86 84 85 1983 1985 | eBay
Seller listed 1983 and up, but I have 1982: does it mean they have different suspension?
DJM 3-4 Drop Lowering Ford F-150 83-86 84 85 1983 1985 | eBay
Seller listed 1983 and up, but I have 1982: does it mean they have different suspension?
More Turbo
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 731
Likes: 6
From: Jonesborough, TN
Yes, but the part number (DJM3003-3/4) is clearly for the 83-86 beams with the ball joints in the axle. If you go to DJMsuspension.com you'll see they offer beams for the 65-79 models with king pins, and the 83 and up models with ball joints, but the 80-82 are no longer listed on the manufacturer's web site.
I have a pair for my 86 model over in the corner, and they look to be a really nice product. Installation as soon as frame comes back from powdercoating.
I have a pair for my 86 model over in the corner, and they look to be a really nice product. Installation as soon as frame comes back from powdercoating.
Junior User
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 54
Likes: 0
From: Marlborough CT
not trying to high jack your thread patriot. im looking to lower my 80 2wd. i cant really swing $400 for the knotched i beams and drop spindles. but the truck sitting stock has the ford toe in, and i know if i cut springs it would have a camber. anyone know if i took like 1/8-1/4 inch out of the last coil if it would be too much of a drop and put too much of a camber on it. like patriot im not looking to slam it. just give it an inch lower in the front, and with the tires i plan on running itll sit just a lil lower in the front than the rear and give it that classic muscle stance with still having plenty of clearance. again partiot not trying to highjack your thread bro, its just the same topic.
Moderator
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 56,984
Likes: 2,738
From: Virginia
If you have two good floor jacks or a floor jack and a bottle jack, put one jack underneath the middle of the truck under the front crossmember, and use the other jack to remove the front springs. Measure the ride height before you start all this. Once the springs are out, lower or raise the center floor jack and you will see what you will be dealing with.
