You look REALLY young

 

I agree; I replaced my 36 year old bushings as the fronts were noticiably flattened. I bought the poly kit and replaced them all and I cant say that I have noticed a difference in ride.

 

Can I just jack the cab up a few inches and replace these or does it really require removing the entire front end?

 

I did my crew cab ones 1 corner at a time by jacking it up.

I also made new sleeves - here's some pics of mine.




As for the bolts - order them through Chrome Bolts, Stainless Steel Bolts, Metric Bolts, Socket Head Cap Screws, Grade 8 Bolts, F911 Bolts They are all american made bolts he sells and at GOOD prices. Prices with shipping are less than ACE or Napa for sure and you don't have to waste your time or gas driving to get them!

 

I was changing oil and rotating tires at 2yrs old.

The little girl wants this to be her truck one day so she wants to help build it. I let her put on the lower cab bushings and drop the bolts down the holes when the cab was back down. She even stuck the bolts through the frame for the steering gear and got them started. She's turning out to be a great little helper.

 

I made sleeves just like chase's for the core supports. The poly mounts are nice and work well. I don't think they make a big difference in ride, those bushings don't allow enough movement for there to be a big difference between new rubber and new poly. the poly ones are soft enough that they deform under the weight of a 500 lb cab, so its not like they are rock hard. The actual part of the bushing between washer and frame is pretty thin. Its not a bushing that allows much movement, it basically just isolates the cab from some of the harshness at the frame and allows the ladder frame to twist a bit without bending the cab.

The poly bushings last longer and are cheaper so they are my choice. If rubber ones were free and easy I'd consider them, but since they seem like they only last 15 years or so before they crack and dry out.

 

I vote poly... Also the cheap @ss chinese replacements are too expensive... If you need new sleeves, go look at the 2wd's in the junkyard (2wds generally have less rust as less time off-road, at least in PRCA (Peoples Republic of California)). Its extra work but 40 y/o oem is better than new chinese.

I screw the bolt up in through the bottom of the sleeve, clamp onto the bolt with some old vice grips, and beat off with a 4lb sledge... I beat the bolt off with the sledge if clarification is needed (still doesn't sound right). More work but usually really cheap; pnp charged me something like a buck for each mount including all hardware, rubber & upper/lower sleeves. This approach allows me to be selective on picking the very best parts from each vehicle.

When I did this I really only needed the front two as they were completely un-re-usable when I replaced my core support; I got an entire set although the big ones are still in a box. I will switch them all up with polys one day. A note on the fronts... Count your shims and keep them the same. These might need replaced also. Thats my 2 cents...

Also, in regards to the beaten bolt. I trash it... I go steal the bolts from other trucks. Then I think about the cabs rolling off all the damn trucks when they forklift comes to take them to the crusher. Glad I am not around for the boooby-trap.

My approach might mean extra work but its cheap and the end product uses OEM grade hardware all around. And it gets me out of the house for a day plus a nice workout.

 

I went with the poly myself. Here is what I did...
https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/8...em-solved.html

 

What poly kit part number brand is everyone using?

 

nice job mudder460.

 

Thanks Jimmyrig, for creating this thread and thanks to everyone else for joining in with some solid, usable info. I ordered my poly mounts yesterday.

 

jeff's bronco graveyard and lmc both have complete body mount kits. I don't remember the price though. however I used the kit from the bronco graveyard and would recommend them to anyone. theirs are complete from rad. support to bed including all bolts nuts and washers. they even have the frame saver washers if you need those. and you can choose between longbed, shortbed, styleside, and stepside bed configurations. and are well worth the money. like I said I used them myself on my 78 f150 longbed.