front suspension
Thread Starter
|
Junior User
Joined: Nov 2012
Posts: 81
Likes: 0
front suspension
I have 56 f100 with stock suspension and trying to decide which way to go. So many say do the kit with brakes and power steering all at once. kinda pricey. Would i be happy just doing lowering springs and new king pins? I want something that drives good but not going to be racing the <nobr>truck</nobr> for sure. Thanks for any input on this, guess just wanting to hear i would be happy to go cheaper. And would the same ideal work well for the rear? Thanks again
Junior User
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 60
Likes: 0
From: Nanaimo British Columbia
Front suspension
Hi all, it,s been a long time since I logged in. Been a tough couple of years of heart health issues but everything is tickity boo for now.
Haroldmac I also have a 56 F100 that i wondered the same about and I decided to go with the stock front end, new king pins, springs redone so they were 2 inches lower, and extended shock mounts to give more travel than stock ones.
Also added the Toyota steering box, and sway bar kit front and back from Mid-Fifty. I am running a 5.0 L HO from a 87 Mustang that I built for highway driving and go fast if needed with an AOD automatic and 3.73 gears in the rear end.
Just got it inspected and on road two weeks ago, handles like a dream, about 90 to 95 percent as good as my Avalanche (sorry for the bad language). Brakes are the Disc front kit from Mid-Fifty and drums on back with the power brake booster under the cab,
As i said drives like a dream, easy turning without the strong arm and goes like stink.
Good luck and as soon as I figure out this photo thing I will have some up
KP
Haroldmac I also have a 56 F100 that i wondered the same about and I decided to go with the stock front end, new king pins, springs redone so they were 2 inches lower, and extended shock mounts to give more travel than stock ones.
Also added the Toyota steering box, and sway bar kit front and back from Mid-Fifty. I am running a 5.0 L HO from a 87 Mustang that I built for highway driving and go fast if needed with an AOD automatic and 3.73 gears in the rear end.
Just got it inspected and on road two weeks ago, handles like a dream, about 90 to 95 percent as good as my Avalanche (sorry for the bad language). Brakes are the Disc front kit from Mid-Fifty and drums on back with the power brake booster under the cab,
As i said drives like a dream, easy turning without the strong arm and goes like stink.
Good luck and as soon as I figure out this photo thing I will have some up
KP
Roast em' if you got 'em
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 21,978
Likes: 9,813
From: Rio Rancho, NM
Welcome to the board!
Oh sure there are tons of aftermarket suspension options out there and just as many people who will tell you that you have to go with a Mustang II or some other independent front suspension. Truth be told, for a decent daily driver there is nothing wrong with the stock front suspension. You can rebuild the stock axle and tighten it up quite a bit by replacing worn spring bushings and pins, king pin bushings, tie rods, etc.
If your steering box is worn and sloppy the Toyota swap is fairly easy, either manual or power.
There is nothign wrong with the drum brakes but swapping to disc brakes isn't too bad. heck, I think you can get the complete kits nowadays from places like Speedway Motors for about $300.
Good luck with it
Bobby
Oh sure there are tons of aftermarket suspension options out there and just as many people who will tell you that you have to go with a Mustang II or some other independent front suspension. Truth be told, for a decent daily driver there is nothing wrong with the stock front suspension. You can rebuild the stock axle and tighten it up quite a bit by replacing worn spring bushings and pins, king pin bushings, tie rods, etc.
If your steering box is worn and sloppy the Toyota swap is fairly easy, either manual or power.
There is nothign wrong with the drum brakes but swapping to disc brakes isn't too bad. heck, I think you can get the complete kits nowadays from places like Speedway Motors for about $300.
Good luck with it
Bobby
Lead Driver
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 6,599
Likes: 34
From: Rockingham, VA
Pics have to be somewhere on the Internet first. I use Photobucket.
Here's one way to put pics in your posts...
Go to http://photobucket.com/ and sign up for a free account. Then create an album for your truck. Upload any pics you want to post on FTE to that album. Have this album open on your computer when you want to post pics on FTE.
While you're making a post on FTE, select the pic you want to post from your Photobucket album. When the large version of the pic is open, right mouse click on it and select "View Image Info". The image info will be highlighted and will look something like this:
http://i285.photobucket.com/albums/l...ghtsafter1.jpg
Copy that highlighted info (right click / copy).
When you have the spot in your post where you want the pic to be placed, select the "Insert Image" icon at the top of the post (looks like a mountain)
and paste (right click / paste) the image info you copied in the highlighted box (just shows "http://" when it opens).Your pic will be placed in the post.
Hope that helps.
Thread Starter
|
Junior User
Joined: Nov 2012
Posts: 81
Likes: 0
Thanks so much guys. Did either use the forward springs to center the front wheel? i think that might cause issues with cross member hitting axle. I,m so leaning toward redoing stock suspension with lowering springs. I will also post pictures soon. I enjoy this forum. Thanks again
Thread Starter
|
Junior User
Joined: Nov 2012
Posts: 81
Likes: 0
I thought Toyota 4X4 steering box would,nt be that hard to find. I was wrong. Well for like $425 i could have one. So still looking at those. Can you do the suspension without removing the front clip? Thanks
Trending Topics
Lead Driver
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 5,510
Likes: 27
From: Winnipeg, Manitoba
FTE Stories
Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts
AEV FXL Super Duty - the Super Duty Raptor Ford Doesn't Make
Brett Foote
Lobo Vs Lobo: Proof the F-150 Lobo Should Be Even Lower!
Michael S. Palmer
Ford's 2001 Explorer Sportsman Concept Looks For a New Home
Verdad Gallardo
10 Best Ford Truck Engines We Miss the Most!
Joe Kucinski
2026 Shelby F-150 Off-Road: Better Than a Raptor R?
Brett Foote
2027 Super Duty Carhartt Package First Look: 12 Things You NEED to Know!
Michael S. Palmer
10 Most Surprising 2026 Ford Truck Features!
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 Ford Trucks Coming to Mecum Indy 2026
Brett Foote
5 Best / 5 Worst Ford Truck Wheels of All Time
Joe Kucinski
Elder User
Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 948
Likes: 0
From: Central Oregon
Should be able to do the front without removing the clip, but would be much easier with the fenders out of the way. All the suspension and steering components hang below the frame (except the steering box, that goes through the frame).
Hotshot
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 15,882
Likes: 88
From: Durham NC
You can do it without removing the front clip, but it's a whole lot easier with the clip or at least the inner fenders off. The clip comes off pretty easily. Put the frame up on the tallest jack stands you can find and drop out the axle and springs.
Thread Starter
|
Junior User
Joined: Nov 2012
Posts: 81
Likes: 0
Thanks for all the responses. I have so many things to do to my truck its had to get going in right direction. Thinking make it ride nice then work on the looks. Guess after i get it lowered and wheels and tires on it i will enjoy it much more. Has anyone had any issues getting 20s under the fenders? Thinking that would feel up the wheel wells nicely. Thanks again guys
Hotshot
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 16,155
Likes: 4,754
From: Burbank, WA
An MII swap can get extremely involved. It's one of those things that seem to snowball from one issue to another before it's all done and ready to roll again. If you're not into all that, then don't do it and redo your stock stuff. You won't be sorry.
There's lots of options for lowering springs for these trucks. I like the Posies parts, mostly because of their reputation for offering a quality product. I've bought a set for mine and am looking forward to doing pretty much what you're planning. Here's an article from their website that tells the story you might find helpful. It's a 52 instead of a 56, but the work and finished product will be the same. They have rear springs to match.
POSIES Rods and Customs – Super Slide Springs – Street Rod Parts – Hot Rod Parts – Truck Parts – Ford and Chevy Suspensions and Chassis Parts » 1952 Ford F100 Front Dual Flex Installation Article
There's lots of options for lowering springs for these trucks. I like the Posies parts, mostly because of their reputation for offering a quality product. I've bought a set for mine and am looking forward to doing pretty much what you're planning. Here's an article from their website that tells the story you might find helpful. It's a 52 instead of a 56, but the work and finished product will be the same. They have rear springs to match.
POSIES Rods and Customs – Super Slide Springs – Street Rod Parts – Hot Rod Parts – Truck Parts – Ford and Chevy Suspensions and Chassis Parts » 1952 Ford F100 Front Dual Flex Installation Article
Thread Starter
|
Junior User
Joined: Nov 2012
Posts: 81
Likes: 0
Thanks for the info. I will so my home work now. I feel like 90 percent sure i will go with the lowering springs and new king pins. Did anyone go with the springs to move the front axle forward? I think my cross member will hit the axle if i go with that one.
Roast em' if you got 'em
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 21,978
Likes: 9,813
From: Rio Rancho, NM
If it were me, and I were going to be replacing the springs, I'd opt to move the front axle forward. I've always thought the 53-56 trucks looked funny with it set so far back.
Good luck with whatever way you decide to go
Bobby
Good luck with whatever way you decide to go
Bobby
Hotshot
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 15,882
Likes: 88
From: Durham NC
The down and forward springs only move the axle about 1 1/2", there is plenty of room before the Xmember. Remember you also need the extended drag link and likely tapered alignment shims with those springs. Mid fifty Mid Fifty F-100 Parts - Home has everything you need as well as info on other lowering options F&R in their catalog. You can download it on their website, but there is so much useful information in it that you'll refer to it often, I'd highly recommend asking them to send you a free printed copy to keep close at hand.