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1980 - 1986 Bullnose F100, F150 & Larger F-Series Trucks Discuss the Early Eighties Bullnose Ford Truck

Dream Beam Question

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Old Dec 29, 2015 | 08:53 AM
  #1  
mattybobatty's Avatar
mattybobatty
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Dream Beam Question

hi guys, new to the site. its great, i love these trucks and i just acquired an 82 f100, straight 6, 3 speed on the column, 2 wheel drive.
i want to lower it. this is what i have:

ball joints
5x5.5 bolt pattern
unequal length i beams, close to 34" for one, and 41" for the other.

searching, but still no positive answer.
can i get the dream beams for an 83 f150?

seems like the f150 has the ball joints and bolt pattern.
i read about needing different ball joints, due to size. but that should be easy, going to parts store to just match up whatever fits from these years. if the i beams fit, will my spindles accept the (maybe) different size ball joints? like others that have gambled and spent the money, i'd like to be sure first.

my civic i can lower with $40 springs.... spending $400 plus, you know, i'd like to be sure before i rip my 33 year old truck apart to find out i need extra spindles brakes tie rods etc..

was going to do axle flip kit also, i do not have a 2 piece driveshaft.

if someone can help me out, i'd appreciate it! thanks
matt
 
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Old Dec 29, 2015 | 12:53 PM
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I am tuned in as I would like to someday lower my 81 F100 but it has king pins so I know I would need to be hitting the junk yard for ball joint spindles.


Now in my "looking into this" I thought 83 was the first year for ball joints?
Could yours be a late 82? My 81 is a late 80 and was posted as a 80 but is an 81 by the door sticker.


As for different size ball joints this I am tuned in to so I know what year size parts I will have to get.
Dave ----
Dave ----
 
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Old Dec 30, 2015 | 07:47 AM
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When the balljoints are larger, the body of the balljoint is larger along with the tapered shaft.

Your only option, which is a easy one, is to go to the junkyard and bust the balljoints loose on the proper f150 2wd truck and buy the complete spindles/brakes on both sides. Buy the beams, take your f100 stuff out, bolt the beams in place and then install your junkyard f150 spindle/brake assemblies.
 
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