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I have a 76 Short Bed, 2 WD. Very good shape. However, the truck is leaning to the passenger side. On the driver side front, from floor to top center of the wheel well is 31 3/4 inches, passenger side is 30 1/2 for a 1 1/2 inches difference. the back, Driver side 33 inches vs 32 1/2 - 1/2 inch difference. I replaced the front springs, nothing changed. I unbolted the front shocks just to see if that would do anything - it didn't. The compressed springs are aprox 9 inches, both sides. Body mounts are original and probably need to be replaced but they're not rusted out or gone - height differences are minimal. I don't think the truck's been tweaked, I saw it pre-paint and it wasn't smacked. I'm at a loss and about to bring it somewhere. Any ideas? Any suggestions? from the back, not so bad Leaning pretty good from the front.
measurement on each side is the same. Body mounts are original and probably need to be replaced but they're not rusted out or gone- height differences are minimal. I don't think the truck's been tweaked, I saw it pre-paint and it wasn't smacked. I'm at a loss and about to bring it somewhere. Any ideas?
I'd look at the rear springs. if you raise the passenger side rear it will obviously raise the passenger side rear but at the same time it will push down on the driver side front. but you're leaning pretty good it may take a little more than that to cure it.
I'd jack up the right rear and see if you can level it and bring the left front down without raise the left rear too much. if that doesn't work you may have to do some creative spring modifications on the front and add a leaf or something in the rear. this problem really isn't uncommon and you can't depend on new springs to be perfect.
dang - if I start adding leaves, (Leafs?) to one side wont that screw up the ride? interestingly, the front springs are compressed at about the same height on each side.
If any one knows the solution, I would be interested to know as well. My 2WD, 1979 F-150 single cab, long bed is doing the exact same thing. The passenger side on my truck is leaning exactly like your truck.
You could also use a raiser block if you can find the right height, though I don't think a leaf would effect the ride that much. first I would jack it up a little and see if it gets the job done. you might have to put a coil spacer in the low side and I'm not sure on this pickup if it's possible but I've clipped the coils on cars to level them out too. it won't work if both ends of the spring are leveled .
ok, so, I can adjust the springs and leafs a bit to adjust height. I'll try that. I think I may beak down and do the body mounts as well.
List want to confirm - if I were to add a coils spacer to one side only, it wont jack up the ride? As in I hit bumps and the 2 springs react differently?
Couple of stabs in the dark here...
What does the gap between the passenger fender and cab look like vs. the driver's side? Have you taken some measurements of the frame to the floor? Like a set from both sides up front, at the rear of the cab, and at the ends in back. I'm wondering if it could be a misaligned fender or if maybe it is the frame itself that is out of whack slightly.
I agree, first confirm it actually is a suspension problem before you dive in.
You'd have to really be doing some tough driving to notice a spacer or a block. we're not talking large amounts spacing these are minor changes. in a perfect world you'd get a new set of quality springs front and rear and the world would be level . I've just found that only happens about half the time.
I would work on the back first because if that doesn't fix it it will reduce the front problem and require less to correct it.
I agree. Try the rear first. It could be bad bushings, flat spring or, just maybe it happens to be that those and body mounts all contribute to the overall lean. Maybe, switch rear springs from side to side. May be just enough to put you on the level. Just spitballing here.
Because the body had no obvious accident damage does not mean the frame hasn't. I don't believe there is a frame problem but to be assured you would need to jack the frame up and place on jackstands EXACTLY the same height Lft & Rt.rear...... and Exactly the same Lft. and Rt. front.The front & back do not have to be the same height. Measure up to corresponding spots on the frame side to side on front to level the stands/blocks/shims etc.... same on back.You are leveling side to side front & side to side back. Once established; start measuring along the frame in the same spot (a factory hole is a good reference each side) side to side,down to the level floor, along down the frame.For a couple of hours this will tell you if the frame has an up or down tweak.
Other than that I think you possibly have a weak rt. rear leaf spring.I always re-arch the springs if needed, to match, myself, and easily done with a bit of labor. Increase,decrease,leveling ride height can be done with arching rear springs especially if you have one that is weak. gary
i had a 87 f150 that the fuel tank side/ drivers side rear was lower, i am guessing from to tanks of fuel all the time? I cut the ends off an overload spring making it about 6 inches long with the center pin hole in the center, and put it on the bottom of the spring pack using the center pin and it worked well. it was about 3/4 inch thick and that was just what i needed.
