...Just to bring this thread up to date...I did go back to the Wausau Spring and Alignment shop. I had the replacement drag link already purchased and was anxious to have my truck in the safest best possible shape for the trip to PA. The king pins turned out to be fine. Something minor was done to the shims to correct the movement. The drag link replacement was routine with no issues. Since I also had replacement spring shackle bushings and pins, already purchased, I went ahead and had them installed as well. A new alignment was done to finish the job.

I'm satisfied that my steering and suspension are safe and properly maintained after my most recent visit to Wausau Spring and Alignment. I didn't, however, experience any great improvement in handling this time--which is fine. I think my almost 70 year old truck steers and handles about as well as Henry designed and built it to. I had a relatively easy and uneventful trip out to PA and back. It was 2,300 miles, and much of it was on the interstates this time. I cruised along 55 to about 62 mph. Wind and truck traffic were not much of an issue. It was an altogether different experience from my first white knuckle trip to Kentucky before any steering and suspension work was done.

Jim

 

Good drives in an old Ford to meet fiends. Glad your truck is driving nicely now and thanks for the update. Anytime someone tells me they need to install new drivetrain so they can drive their old car or truck I think of folks like you and Ross. I think we have more fun than the modified and car show crowd...

 

Amen brother! I missed out a little on the full experience this year, because I spent a lot of time on the interstates--even the Ohio tollway. Usually I like to take the smaller rural routes through all the little towns, but I had some time constraints to deal with this time. Abe sort of made up for it taking us for long drives through the beautiful PA countryside. We even put some quality miles in on a few one lane dirt roads. For an experience like that, it's good to be following someone who knows (most of the time) where he is going. Kidding aside, Abe is a great host and makes sure everyone feels welcome and has great time.

Fred, i'd like to meet up with you sometime, but Houston is a LONG way from PA. Maybe there'll be a TS sometime half way between us. Thanks for all the help you've given me along the way.

Jim

 

Meeting up would be great, but you live in the frozen north . More seriously, I need to get my F-2 in tour worthy condition. Life has conspired to make that a back burner project. Maybe I'll have sufficient vacation time in the next couple years and just commit the heresy of driving a vintage Ford car to Truck Stock...

 

We've had vintage Ford cars and even a Studebaker at Truckstocks before. I've been working on a friend (for three years now) with a 65 Thunderbird convertible to make the trip with me. Get your maps out. Maybe Ross could be coaxed out of "retirement". There could be a whole Southwest contingent you could motivate.

Speaking of the "frozen north", we had a frost last night and our leaves are mostly down. Today it's sunny and beautiful though--snow and below zero temps seem a long way off. The Packers beat the Bears, and life is good in WI.

Jim