Sagging front end.

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Jan 13, 2013 | 10:12 PM

J ballan

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Fleet Mechanic

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From: Saskatchewan

Sagging front end.

Hello everyone, my 79 f150s front end is about 2" lower than it should be. Would stock replacment springs lift it back up a little? Or should I replace them with the heavy duty springs? The truck has a custom built bumper with winch that weighs around 100 to 150 pounds. Thanks for your input.

Jan 13, 2013 | 11:10 PM

crazy96863

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From: Northern California

with that bumper... HD.

Jan 14, 2013 | 07:31 AM

J ballan

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Fleet Mechanic

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From: Saskatchewan

Quote:

Originally Posted by crazy96863

with that bumper... HD.

That's what I was thinking. You don't think it will ride to rough?

Jan 14, 2013 | 07:41 AM

mudder460

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From: Riverview, FL

I would get 2" lift springs and that should almost level it with the rear of the truck. If you go with the stock springs it will go up about 1 1/2". I did that to mine but I wish I would have gotten the 2" lift to pick it up more.

Jan 14, 2013 | 10:36 AM

tbear853

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From: The Shenandoah Valley

If you are going to replace, go HD or 2" lift.

A winch and front bumper combo weighing 100-150 pounds really ain't all that heavy. You don't show us a picture or tell us how much space between bump stop face on frame and axle tube. Maybe some spring rubber short term.

Jan 14, 2013 | 11:51 AM

J ballan

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From: Saskatchewan

Quote:

Originally Posted by tbear853

How much space should there be between the axle tube and the rubber bump stop? I will measure it tonight. If I go with the 2" lift springs should I replace my shocks with 2" lift shocks? How about the pitman arm? Track bar? And brake lines? Thanks

Jan 14, 2013 | 05:14 PM

tbear853

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From: The Shenandoah Valley

Quote:

Originally Posted by J ballan

Stock, there ain't much more than maybe 2-1/2" at most judging by the proximity of the axle tube and it's diameter below .... then the bumpstop has probably another inch or more it can compress as it slows the bottoming. Here's a picture, mine's stock, no extra weights .... just stock 351M / aluminum intake (in place of cast iron) and it does have AC now (so compressor / etc likely added that savings back). I have some Monroe Gas Magnum Truck Shocks on it, they have been really great shocks for my use.

If you raise it just 2" likely don't need to change anything except maybe the shocks (I'ld have to investigate travel of stock versus alternatives, likely someone else already knows?).
If you raise it enough to change the track bar maount or pittman arm .... change both so that track bar itself and the drag link are still parallel to each other.

Also, if you raise it 2" you will loose some caster. The truck likes some caster ..... I'ld recommend a Polyurethane Bushing kit that includes some 3-4 degree C bushings to add caster, it helps even on a stock front end. Look at the 14 piece kits if you can swing it.