I need advice
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New User
Joined: Jun 2017
Posts: 5
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I need advice
I am currently looking at a '48 F1 rat rod. The truck has a new drop axle, new tie rods and front disc brakes. On my test drive the bumpsteer or "wandering" was excessive. I was going 25-30 on a paved road and the truck wanted to go every direction but straight. It honestly felt dangerous and unpredictable. The steering wheel had also been changed from the stock 18" to an aftermarket 15".
I am seriously looking for a 1948-52 F1 or F100. Is this steering to be expected from stock suspensions or was the whole geometry of the front end changed by the dropped axle and smaller steering wheel?
Thanks for any help.
I am seriously looking for a 1948-52 F1 or F100. Is this steering to be expected from stock suspensions or was the whole geometry of the front end changed by the dropped axle and smaller steering wheel?
Thanks for any help.
Lead Driver
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 9,691
Likes: 1,258
From: Jefferson City, MO
Welcome to FTE.
With stock steering adjusted properly, you should be able to drive down the road with little worry. It sounds like the truck you drove has problems with the setup.
Where are you located and how much do you want to spend? It's best spend more on a more complete truck. Updates and repairs tend to start costing more than you would expect. Unless you are looking to have a project (mine has been years in the making and I'm still a ways out.) having something you can drive when you want without too much worry is important.
With stock steering adjusted properly, you should be able to drive down the road with little worry. It sounds like the truck you drove has problems with the setup.
Where are you located and how much do you want to spend? It's best spend more on a more complete truck. Updates and repairs tend to start costing more than you would expect. Unless you are looking to have a project (mine has been years in the making and I'm still a ways out.) having something you can drive when you want without too much worry is important.
Fleet Owner
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 25,421
Likes: 5,428
From: Central PA
So you are looking to buy a 48 to 52 F1 or a 53 to 56 F100, right. And you are wondering if it will steer like the rat rod you drove?
If the steering components are worn it might. I everything is in good shape it won't. My 55 steers nice and tight. My 54 has some looseness in the steering.
If the steering components are worn it might. I everything is in good shape it won't. My 55 steers nice and tight. My 54 has some looseness in the steering.
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New User
Joined: Jun 2017
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So you are looking to buy a 48 to 52 F1 or a 53 to 56 F100, right. And you are wondering if it will steer like the rat rod you drove?
If the feeding components are worn it might. I everything is in good shape it won't. My 55 steers nice and tight. My 54 has some looseness in the steering.
If the feeding components are worn it might. I everything is in good shape it won't. My 55 steers nice and tight. My 54 has some looseness in the steering.
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New User
Joined: Jun 2017
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I hadn't thought of the steering box. King pins, tie rods and drag link alignment all seemed like possible culprits. Thanks to everyone. I now know what to look for. I find it hard to believe that all F1 trucks with original suspensions drive like this. If they did nobody would own them.
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Post Fiend
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 19,311
Likes: 97
From: Waterloo, Iowa
Maybe steering box is loose, somebody tried "adjusting" it. Any truck with serviceable parts and decent alignment should track straight as a train. I'm all for upgrades but only if they were done by somebody who knows exactly what they were doing. Otherwise forget it, all things being equal, give me stock OEM equipment. At least it's in the manual.
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Tuned
Joined: Jan 2016
Posts: 333
Likes: 9
From: Oregon
Sounds like incorrect caster angle. More than once I've seen straight axles lacking their caster shims after being repaired or "customized". I recently did a repair on a one ton that wouldn't steer in a straight line. The owner purchased the truck and installed new steering components only to have it steer just as bad as before the repairs. He brought it to me to adjust the steering box and while I was at it checked over things. Found there was no castor shims installed under the springs. After I installed some shims it steers like a new truck. Caster angle is directly related to straight tracking in my experience.
Cargo Master
Joined: Nov 2014
Posts: 2,442
Likes: 256
Not only would I check spring pack shims, but check u-bolt nuts for tightness and spring shackles for sloppiness in the pins. If the pins have not been serviced they are probably half gone, causing wobble.
JB
JB
Junior User
Joined: Sep 2016
Posts: 59
Likes: 0
From: Sudbury ontario
I wouldn't run away from it if it steers a little wonky ,that will help you negotiate the price down ,and then fixing steering on one of these trucks is really very basic ,since it has a new drop axle and tie rods ,I bet it was not aligned after ,installing shims if they are missing on a newly installed axle is very easy ,and there is only a steering box and very few other parts that would be left to replace the entire system .Since it steers so bad ,the seller has to know this and it's a great negotiating tool for you .
