Lifting my 1979 F150 thread, with lots of pics

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#916

09-05-2013, 09:06 PM

460 FORD MAN

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No the bed's not on it. I haven't gotten around to fixing it yet, the floor's rotted out pretty bad from the drop in bed cover the p.o. put in it. Been thinking about cleaning it up, spraying it with bed liner and calling it good.

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#917

09-06-2013, 12:03 PM

460 FORD MAN

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I noticed when I was driving it yesterday that the suspension was stiff in the rear. I got some 9/16 lock nuts to see if that would help.

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#918

09-06-2013, 12:15 PM

kjett

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Quote:

Originally Posted by 460 FORD MAN

I noticed when I was driving it yesterday that the suspension was stiff in the rear. I got some 9/16 lock nuts to see if that would help.

Uh, do what? how are 9/16 lock nuts going to soften your suspension. I guess I'm missing something there.

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#919

09-06-2013, 12:41 PM

460 FORD MAN

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I think I have the leaf to shackle and shackle to hanger bolts too tight. I got 9/16 lock nuts so I can just snug them down instead of tightening them down.

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#920

09-06-2013, 01:07 PM

kjett

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Are the bushing/shackle bolts torqued to proper specs or did you just hit them as much as you could with the impact? Too loose could also be a bad thing. Ride stiffness is more to do with the spring rate and shock than how tight you have the shackle bolts.

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#921

09-06-2013, 01:31 PM

460 FORD MAN

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I just put them as tight as they would go... I guess shocks are the next thing I will address.

Do you know the torque spec?

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#922

09-06-2013, 02:15 PM

alpha/omega

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The reason your suspension feels stiff is that you have zero weight over your rear axle. There isn't enough weight for it to work basically.

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#923

09-06-2013, 02:34 PM

460 FORD MAN

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Makes sense, didn't even think of that.....

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#924

09-06-2013, 02:40 PM

tjc transport

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if you want to see how it will work in the real world, put between 800 and 1000 lbs over the rear axle and go for a ride. that will tell you how it will act/handle with a load.

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#925

09-06-2013, 02:44 PM

captain p4

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Quote:

Originally Posted by alpha/omega

The reason your suspension feels stiff is that you have zero weight over your rear axle. There isn't enough weight for it to work basically.

again........

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#926

09-06-2013, 02:47 PM

alpha/omega

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It bounces on the tires rather than the bump being absorbed by the springs

Lock nuts aren't a terrible idea regardless

Paul,
We bad, we nationwide.....

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#927

09-06-2013, 02:57 PM

460 FORD MAN

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Tom, I won't ever be carrying a load

Yall know the torque specs for the leaf to shackle and shackle to hanger?

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#928

09-06-2013, 03:20 PM

alpha/omega

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German specs....

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#929

09-06-2013, 03:32 PM

77mud

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Quote:

Originally Posted by 460 FORD MAN

Thanks. It's got a bit more 'rake' now so I'm debating on getting 4 coils. I took it 'round the block a couple times, it sure felt good to drive it again.

The list is getting shorter.
Ball joints
Wheel bearings
Gears (haven't decided which ones would be best)
Front driveshaft
35's (trying to find some decent used boggers)
Exhaust

you planning on a DD or weekend toy or a full on Mud truck??

Quote:

Originally Posted by 460 FORD MAN

If you plan on having no weight at all in the bed then i would vote for just rolling it to help stop the rust and being done with it.

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#930

09-06-2013, 03:50 PM

460 FORD MAN

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Full on mud truck, the 97 is my dd.

That's what I'll probably end up doing with the bed.

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