'77 F-150 2wd.

My truck has a drip from the pitman shaft when the wheels are parked a certain way, and the steering has a lot of play in it going straight down the road. Had the wife do the old park steering check with me last night, and sure enough the pitman shaft moves about 1/2" side to side while she wiggled the steering wheel.

I'd assume the shaft has worn into the housing. Going to send the box to redhead this winter when the truck is put away. Anybody know how much it'll cost? There are no prices on their website. Is it true that they machine out the housing and install a bearing where the pitman shaft comes out?

Let me know your experiences with them,

thanks,
Josh

P.S. I'm also considering doing DJM dream beams on the front of my truck, I'll be doing their hangers and shackles for sure on the rear. My wheels are 15x8 with a 3.75" backspacing, so they kind of stick out, not past the fender lip but close to it. Am I going to have a lot of rubbing on bumps? Tires are 225/70-15 on the front, 275/60-15 rear. I am changing wheels, but they will be the same offset. By my estimate I'll have about 1" of daylight between the fender lip and top of the tire on the front, and 2-3" in the back

Right now the truck sits 3" higher in the rear, I'd like it to be only 1" higher. I figure if the hangers and shackles actually do drop the rear 4" (In my experience shackles only drop 1" on the lowest setting) And the beams drop the front 3" it'll still have too much rake. Wondering if a new set of stock springs would bring the front back up an inch or so. I have to imagine in 35 years they have sagged somewhat.

 

No idea on the lowering, I only have expereince making things taller.

As for the redhead box, I think its right around $225, grinnergetter put a redhead box in his truck so he'd be a good one to ask.

 

Red head steering gear in WA. is the way to go, many on here can vouch for them, including myself, quality stuff

 

Did you send yours to be rebuilt or buy one of theirs and send a core?

Anyone have good picks of a truck with DJM beams and shackles and hangers and similar sized wheels and tires?

Not really finding any that compare, they all have 17's with a lot of positive offset or are different in some way.

The pics I see of trucks with a 3"/4" drop don't look too low, but there is really nothing to reference the height to. Like a curb, stock truck etc.

 

Sent mine in, they machined the box to accept needle bearings, better than factory, works great.

 

starting to re-think the drop beams after seeing this picture on the HAMB.

Maybe I'll just get new springs for the front and cut a coil or two to drop it about 1.5"

from left to right : Stock beam, DJM, AIM industries and another stock beam





If you read the thread starting at post # 27 he talks about how the DJMs threw off his alignment and just were low quality.

http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/s...=595366&page=2