better handling?
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Elder User
Joined: Feb 2009
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better handling?
79 F150 4x4 351M
is there a way to make this truck handle better? I haven't done anything to it since I bought it, I'm sure it needs new bushings. I was thinking about either lowering it, or taking out the lift kit, (not sure if its been lifted by P.O. or not) maybe sway bars in the rear? I'm not sure, advice is welcomed.
is there a way to make this truck handle better? I haven't done anything to it since I bought it, I'm sure it needs new bushings. I was thinking about either lowering it, or taking out the lift kit, (not sure if its been lifted by P.O. or not) maybe sway bars in the rear? I'm not sure, advice is welcomed.
Tuned
Joined: Nov 2016
Posts: 269
Likes: 14
From: Shelbyville
When I first bought my truck I could move the steering wheel from the 12 o'clock position to the 2 o'clock position before it would even begin to turn. Had really bad play in the steering. I replaced the tie rod, tie rod end, drag link, and the pan hard bar last week. It has made a night and day difference in my ride. You could probably get away with not replacing the pan hard bar but I still believe it helps. Here's a good kit if you want to try it.
1978-1979 Steering Rod Kit, Stock-Broncograveyard.com
That's for an unlifted truck.
Steering Rod Kit, Adjustable Drag Link-Broncograveyard.com
This for a lifted one.
1978-1979 Steering Rod Kit, Stock-Broncograveyard.com
That's for an unlifted truck.
Steering Rod Kit, Adjustable Drag Link-Broncograveyard.com
This for a lifted one.
Post Fiend
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 9,111
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From: Lexington Mo
I'm gonna say that if your not too whoopy with suspension, to get some that suspension looked at. Check ball joints, tie rod end, bearing, bushings, shocks, tires, rag joint for the steering shaft, steering box, sway bar, link pins, etc.
Unk Bob
Unk Bob
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Basically to get it to handle the road like, (for lack of a better word,) a sports car. It's 4wd so I can't do a crown vic swap.
It won't be going off road. I think it has 32"s tires on it, I'm not sure if its at stock height or not. I'm not opposed to lowering back to factory height if it is.
It won't be going off road. I think it has 32"s tires on it, I'm not sure if its at stock height or not. I'm not opposed to lowering back to factory height if it is.
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Cargo Master
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 2,674
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From: Ideeho
First thing to remember.......It's a 4x4 truck........Not a sports car......it will never handle like a sports car no matter how much money you throw at it........If you can live with that fact, then start trying to get the most out of what you have......replace worn parts, remove the lift, a good set of shocks and install sway bars. If you want something that handles like a sports car.......get rid of the truck and buy a sports car.....
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Tuned
Joined: Nov 2016
Posts: 269
Likes: 14
From: Shelbyville
I have 33" tires on my 79 4x4 and it is stock ride height.
Easiest way to tell if you have a lift would be to measure the height of your front coil springs.
Broncograveyard.com has the loaded height at 13"
If you measure it and find yours are slightly shorter don't be surprised, they sag with age and if they are taller, then you have a lifted suspension.
Easiest way to tell if you have a lift would be to measure the height of your front coil springs.
Broncograveyard.com has the loaded height at 13"
If you measure it and find yours are slightly shorter don't be surprised, they sag with age and if they are taller, then you have a lifted suspension.
Fleet Owner
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 20,678
Likes: 82
From: NorCal
I have 33" tires on my 79 4x4 and it is stock ride height.
Easiest way to tell if you have a lift would be to measure the height of your front coil springs.
Broncograveyard.com has the loaded height at 13"
If you measure it and find yours are slightly shorter don't be surprised, they sag with age and if they are taller, then you have a lifted suspension.
Easiest way to tell if you have a lift would be to measure the height of your front coil springs.
Broncograveyard.com has the loaded height at 13"
If you measure it and find yours are slightly shorter don't be surprised, they sag with age and if they are taller, then you have a lifted suspension.
The easier way to determine if a truck has a suspension lift is to measure the vertical distance between the axle center line up to the front fender arch. A stock, 4WD half-ton suspension will measure between 20 and 21 inches.
Doing it by this message totally eliminates tire height factoring into the lift.
Fleet Owner
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 20,678
Likes: 82
From: NorCal
Basically to get it to handle the road like, (for lack of a better word,) a sports car. It's 4wd so I can't do a crown vic swap.
It won't be going off road. I think it has 32"s tires on it, I'm not sure if its at stock height or not. I'm not opposed to lowering back to factory height if it is.
It won't be going off road. I think it has 32"s tires on it, I'm not sure if its at stock height or not. I'm not opposed to lowering back to factory height if it is.
If you want it to handle better then soft springs, stiffer shocks, and swaybars front and rear.
Tuned
Joined: Nov 2016
Posts: 269
Likes: 14
From: Shelbyville
It's not at "stock ride height" with 33-inch tall tires.
The easier way to determine if a truck has a suspension lift is to measure the vertical distance between the axle center line up to the front fender arch. A stock, 4WD half-ton suspension will measure between 20 and 21 inches.
Doing it by this message totally eliminates tire height factoring into the lift.
The easier way to determine if a truck has a suspension lift is to measure the vertical distance between the axle center line up to the front fender arch. A stock, 4WD half-ton suspension will measure between 20 and 21 inches.
Doing it by this message totally eliminates tire height factoring into the lift.
Cargo Master
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 2,674
Likes: 16
From: Ideeho
The JBG springs could be lift springs.......no spacers required.....do as Hio suggested....measure between the axle centerline to the wheel well arch......that will tell the story........33's will fit W/O a suspension lift .......33x12.50 will rub when turning but I wheeled one HARD and never got a tire into a fender......