lowering ????
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 1,690
Likes: 32
From: Delhi, Iowa
i put dream beams in my 95, but had to use my old arms. and im swapping my 95 to the E-150 "big brake " spindles this winter, so i figured i would re-use my 95 spindles on the 81 to get the better caliper mounts.
so no, i dont have a spare set of Radius arms... i may be looking for some
so no, i dont have a spare set of Radius arms... i may be looking for some
Moderator
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 22,415
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From: Denver Metro Area, CO
It was (just the F100s that had the car bolt pattern). You're mixing up holey frames and wheel bolt patterns, they are not one and the same.
Elder User
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 526
Likes: 1
From: Spokane, WA
I have done this swap...I put 92+ dream beams on an 81 F150. You have to run the later radius arms, radius arm bolt, and spindle (thus you also run ball joints). The later model steering stuff is different but I don't think you have to convert (I did, it all needed replaced so I matched it up). You can't put later model tie rods on the early drag link because the threads are different.
Brake rotors, calipers, shocks and springs are the same. I believe I used the same spring perch as well but I had to find a different sway bar mount (I could have used the early one...just didn't fit as well).
I like the ball joint front end better...tires now rot off before they wear out.
Kenny
Brake rotors, calipers, shocks and springs are the same. I believe I used the same spring perch as well but I had to find a different sway bar mount (I could have used the early one...just didn't fit as well).
I like the ball joint front end better...tires now rot off before they wear out.
Kenny
Moderator
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 56,977
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From: Virginia
i put dream beams in my 95, but had to use my old arms. and im swapping my 95 to the E-150 "big brake " spindles this winter, so i figured i would re-use my 95 spindles on the 81 to get the better caliper mounts.
so no, i dont have a spare set of Radius arms... i may be looking for some
so no, i dont have a spare set of Radius arms... i may be looking for some
Senior User
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 498
Likes: 0
Los80f100,
Another member told me to check out the prices here Custom Connection - Air Bag Suspension Kit, Air Bag, Air Compressor, Valves,Tank, 4 link.
It's where I purchased mine for my 85.
Another member told me to check out the prices here Custom Connection - Air Bag Suspension Kit, Air Bag, Air Compressor, Valves,Tank, 4 link.
It's where I purchased mine for my 85.
FTE Legend
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 56,542
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From: In my own world
After looking under trucks today, it appears that the radius arm mount is different between the trucks as well. It looks like, 80-83, 83-87, and 88-95. I can't vouch for newer, as my newest truck is a 95
There is also 4 different sway bar set ups, seems as the I6 and V8 changes things, as well as f 150 vs f 250. I can take some pictures if someone would need me too
There is also 4 different sway bar set ups, seems as the I6 and V8 changes things, as well as f 150 vs f 250. I can take some pictures if someone would need me too
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 1,690
Likes: 32
From: Delhi, Iowa
After looking under trucks today, it appears that the radius arm mount is different between the trucks as well. It looks like, 80-83, 83-87, and 88-95. I can't vouch for newer, as my newest truck is a 95
There is also 4 different sway bar set ups, seems as the I6 and V8 changes things, as well as f 150 vs f 250. I can take some pictures if someone would need me too
There is also 4 different sway bar set ups, seems as the I6 and V8 changes things, as well as f 150 vs f 250. I can take some pictures if someone would need me too
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Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 1,690
Likes: 32
From: Delhi, Iowa
I'm going to use my 95 spindles, my 95 i beams, and find a set of 95 radius arms... basically, use up all my old 1995 suspension on my 81 to have a better handling truck.
FTE Legend
Joined: May 2008
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From: In my own world
With that in mind, the 80 truck uses a different core support, and has a top/ bottom tank radiator. I would assume it would use the sway bar set up for a V8 truck.
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 1,690
Likes: 32
From: Delhi, Iowa
The plate part that bolts between the 2 frame rails seems to make the difference On the 6 cyl trucks it is down farther on the one side. could be to clear where the bottom hose goes.
With that in mind, the 80 truck uses a different core support, and has a top/ bottom tank radiator. I would assume it would use the sway bar set up for a V8 truck.
With that in mind, the 80 truck uses a different core support, and has a top/ bottom tank radiator. I would assume it would use the sway bar set up for a V8 truck.
i started my own thread for swaybar info.
FTE Legend
Joined: May 2008
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From: In my own world
https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/1...n-81-f150.html
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 1,690
Likes: 32
From: Delhi, Iowa
Here's the link so everyone here can follow along
https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/1...n-81-f150.html
https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/1...n-81-f150.html
Thanks for the link man, i was having one of those " i cant brain today, i has the dumb" moments, and didnt link the thread.
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