Front End Overview
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New User
Joined: Jul 2015
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From: Charleston
Front End Overview
Hi All,
I am preparing to tear into my 1975 f100 Custom. Amongst other things, I find myself wanting to improve the front end (suspension + steering).
I am investigating options here. I've moved away from the Crown Vic swap as I don't want to lower the thing and that project is a bit ambitious for me anyhow. Although the allure of modern brake and steering was strong.
Any recommendations on suspension parts? I'm nosing around on rock auto and starting to learn about the components in my truck. Suspension in general is new territory for me so beginner level tips and concepts are appreciated.
I am preparing to tear into my 1975 f100 Custom. Amongst other things, I find myself wanting to improve the front end (suspension + steering).
I am investigating options here. I've moved away from the Crown Vic swap as I don't want to lower the thing and that project is a bit ambitious for me anyhow. Although the allure of modern brake and steering was strong.
Any recommendations on suspension parts? I'm nosing around on rock auto and starting to learn about the components in my truck. Suspension in general is new territory for me so beginner level tips and concepts are appreciated.
Logistics Pro
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 4,217
Likes: 154
Inspect it with a prybar to check for any undue play anywhere. Inspect all pivot points. Replace any rubber bushings - (are there any?) - and make sure everything is up to snuff.
Then some properly rated quality new springs and good shocks.
Or maybe an air bag system if you're willing to drop the ca$h?
Then some properly rated quality new springs and good shocks.
Or maybe an air bag system if you're willing to drop the ca$h?
Postmaster
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 2,553
Likes: 10
The twin I beams worked quite well. Rebuild/replace as needed, get it aligned and you should have a nice setup. See article below.
Getting it to "better than new" specs will take careful evaluation and some work. Maybe king pins. Maybe a good steering gear. Very likely common replacement parts. As far as bushings, OE were rubber. Rubber is OK but quality of replacement parts is variable. Poly bushings are stiffer and more consistent quality IMO.
https://www.hemmings.com/magazine/hm...n/1641228.html
Getting it to "better than new" specs will take careful evaluation and some work. Maybe king pins. Maybe a good steering gear. Very likely common replacement parts. As far as bushings, OE were rubber. Rubber is OK but quality of replacement parts is variable. Poly bushings are stiffer and more consistent quality IMO.
https://www.hemmings.com/magazine/hm...n/1641228.html
Thread Starter
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New User
Joined: Jul 2015
Posts: 22
Likes: 0
From: Charleston
Inspect it with a prybar to check for any undue play anywhere. Inspect all pivot points. Replace any rubber bushings - (are there any?) - and make sure everything is up to snuff.
Then some properly rated quality new springs and good shocks.
Or maybe an air bag system if you're willing to drop the ca$h?
Then some properly rated quality new springs and good shocks.
Or maybe an air bag system if you're willing to drop the ca$h?
Airbag is likely out of my price range at this point but I intend on having the truck for a lifetime.
Thread Starter
|
New User
Joined: Jul 2015
Posts: 22
Likes: 0
From: Charleston
The twin I beams worked quite well. Rebuild/replace as needed, get it aligned and you should have a nice setup. See article below.
Getting it to "better than new" specs will take careful evaluation and some work. Maybe king pins. Maybe a good steering gear. Very likely common replacement parts. As far as bushings, OE were rubber. Rubber is OK but quality of replacement parts is variable. Poly bushings are stiffer and more consistent quality IMO.
https://www.hemmings.com/magazine/hm...n/1641228.html
Getting it to "better than new" specs will take careful evaluation and some work. Maybe king pins. Maybe a good steering gear. Very likely common replacement parts. As far as bushings, OE were rubber. Rubber is OK but quality of replacement parts is variable. Poly bushings are stiffer and more consistent quality IMO.
https://www.hemmings.com/magazine/hm...n/1641228.html
The price doesn't seem too bad for a highly rated product.
Lead Driver
Joined: Jul 2017
Posts: 9,609
Likes: 1,179
From: San Jose, CA
Was watching the Truck Tech on TV this morning and they're working on a '75 (I think?) long bed's suspension. Unfortunately on this episode they only got around to the install, but not the re-testing afterwards. Saving that for a later episode.
They did do some track time with the stock-ish suspension though, so should be able to give a good accounting of the improvements.
Nothing major in this case. Just an I-beam lowering kit (3-4 if I remember) and new shocks and anti-swaybars. Next episode tires and such.
Pretty nice truck with a full refresh about 15 years ago. Not planning to do much body work on this one it sounds like, but it'll be fun to watch the suspension progression.
Their supplier for this one was LMC Truck.
(edit: I see someone else started a thread about it earlier)
Paul
They did do some track time with the stock-ish suspension though, so should be able to give a good accounting of the improvements.
Nothing major in this case. Just an I-beam lowering kit (3-4 if I remember) and new shocks and anti-swaybars. Next episode tires and such.
Pretty nice truck with a full refresh about 15 years ago. Not planning to do much body work on this one it sounds like, but it'll be fun to watch the suspension progression.
Their supplier for this one was LMC Truck.
(edit: I see someone else started a thread about it earlier)
Paul
Lead Driver
Joined: Jul 2017
Posts: 9,609
Likes: 1,179
From: San Jose, CA
Oh, and in addition to the prybar method, you can do a good steering test with a helper racking the steering wheel back and forth while you watch all the components. Not much can match the leverage of the power steering system pushing against the weight of the truck!
With the wheels on the ground and the full weight on them, going through the steering motions will really showcase anything that's loose. With the Early Broncos we use this test to find cracked frames behind the steering gear box. It's about the only thing that will highlight that problem.
But by the same token it really lets you see even tiny bits of play in things like trackbars and radius arms on the 4-wheel drives. I bet it can do almost as much on a 2-wheel truck.
The helper doesn't have to go through the entire range either. Just a quick half-turn one way, then the other, then back again repeatedly will do the job.
With this test you'll find worn bushings, slightly worn tie-rod ends, mis-adjusted wheel bearings and even loose components in the rear suspension too!
Good luck.
Paul
With the wheels on the ground and the full weight on them, going through the steering motions will really showcase anything that's loose. With the Early Broncos we use this test to find cracked frames behind the steering gear box. It's about the only thing that will highlight that problem.
But by the same token it really lets you see even tiny bits of play in things like trackbars and radius arms on the 4-wheel drives. I bet it can do almost as much on a 2-wheel truck.
The helper doesn't have to go through the entire range either. Just a quick half-turn one way, then the other, then back again repeatedly will do the job.
With this test you'll find worn bushings, slightly worn tie-rod ends, mis-adjusted wheel bearings and even loose components in the rear suspension too!
Good luck.
Paul
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New User
Joined: Jul 2015
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From: Charleston
Oh, and in addition to the prybar method, you can do a good steering test with a helper racking the steering wheel back and forth while you watch all the components. Not much can match the leverage of the power steering system pushing against the weight of the truck!
With the wheels on the ground and the full weight on them, going through the steering motions will really showcase anything that's loose. With the Early Broncos we use this test to find cracked frames behind the steering gear box. It's about the only thing that will highlight that problem.
But by the same token it really lets you see even tiny bits of play in things like trackbars and radius arms on the 4-wheel drives. I bet it can do almost as much on a 2-wheel truck.
The helper doesn't have to go through the entire range either. Just a quick half-turn one way, then the other, then back again repeatedly will do the job.
With this test you'll find worn bushings, slightly worn tie-rod ends, mis-adjusted wheel bearings and even loose components in the rear suspension too!
Good luck.
Paul
With the wheels on the ground and the full weight on them, going through the steering motions will really showcase anything that's loose. With the Early Broncos we use this test to find cracked frames behind the steering gear box. It's about the only thing that will highlight that problem.
But by the same token it really lets you see even tiny bits of play in things like trackbars and radius arms on the 4-wheel drives. I bet it can do almost as much on a 2-wheel truck.
The helper doesn't have to go through the entire range either. Just a quick half-turn one way, then the other, then back again repeatedly will do the job.
With this test you'll find worn bushings, slightly worn tie-rod ends, mis-adjusted wheel bearings and even loose components in the rear suspension too!
Good luck.
Paul
I just now found a Youtube guide that details the same process for checking steering and suspension, so that's perfect. Can't wait to get visual confirmation and start buying parts!
Furthermore, I should have mentioned earlier that this is a long bed, no power anything with the big six in it. So I was happy to hear about the Truck Tech guys getting work done on a longbed as well.
Thanks again!
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