My dads 1970 F100 Ranger XLT was passed down to me with about 80k original miles. I am looking to replace all suspension/body bushings as they are all dry rot to heck. Can someone assist in letting me know which bushings I can replace without a press? Edit: Should also mention any bushings that dont require any specialty tools that arent outrageously expensive or hard to find.

 

My 81 F100 TTB front it came to me with Poly radius arm bushings and were wtill good so I re-used them.
The pivot bushings were bad so I replaced them with Poly also.

Just know the Poly I used reused the outer rubber shell so I had to remove the rubber from it before I used the Poly grease and pressed the bushing in by hand.
So nothing but hand tools to do my front suspension bushings with Poly.

The rear spring bushing were still in good shape so I left them in place and the same with the cab body mounts.
I also went over on the budget on the trucks rebuild and why the rear / cab bushings were left in place.
Dave ----

 

The front end bushings are labor intensive, but not difficult to replace. Stock, rubber bushings work well if it's just a cruiser/ low use/ light duty.

If it's anything more than that, like a daily driver, "hot rod" or work truck, then you'll want to use polyurethane suspension bushings. Energy suspension and Prothane both have offerings.

Body bushings should remain rubber. Check out Dennis-Carpenter for those.

 

The I-beam bushings were hell for me, and unless you remove the I-beams and replace them on the bench top it will not be easy. I used a clamp press to push the old metal/rubber bushing out, and to push the new one back in while laying under the truck - for each beam.

All other bushings just required mechanic tools.

 

I did the I-Beam bushings, and radius arm bushings, without removing them from the truck. I had bought a ball joint press kit from Harbor Freight, and that did the trick with surprisingly little effort. Mine is a '67 F350 that had been parked for 30 something years, and if what I replaced wasn't the original parts they were really close to it. I found a very thin film of silicone grease around the new parts really helped on the installation.

 

A trick that I learned years ago to remove bushings. Get a hole saw that is just slightly smaller than the outer edge of the rubber. Then just drill it out and the remaining rubber comes out pretty easy at least it did for me. Another company to check for rubber parts is Steele Rubber.com. They can make up a catalog just for your truck.

 

I burned the old rubber out.
The beams were removed and I soaked the old bushings in old, bad gas and set them on fire.
I then used a hand wire brush to clean up the outer sleeve.

Remember because the poly re-uses the outer sleeves I did not need to remove them or press anything out or in.
As for what some say of ruff riding with poly I dont feel it and happy they way the truck rides.
I also used the poly grease that comes with the bushings and I dont get any noise from them either.

I am also running old factory springs front & rear with KYB shocks from LMC
Dave ----

 

Youtube is your friend
If you want a truck to ride like a a truck on new pavement , smooth , go with rubber , if you want a truck to ride like a race car go with polyurathane . Poly last longer .
I have not done mine yet , but I have been watching countless customizers & mechanics for almost 10 years on TV & youtube . I mean that is almost all I watch , I am addicted........ha Not counting reading HotRod , Truckin' , etc...etc... since I was a kid...........I totaled 4 or 5 cars , 1 truck , that I remember , being a hotrodder
Anyway that is what I hear there constantly . Make sure you grease the poly cuz evidently they are bad about squeaking if you do not
Also , I read in a carburetor book ,be careful what you use to lube stuff with , Wd-40 , silicone , lithium grease , petroleum jelly , all have different uses for " DIFFERENT MATERIALS "
Many will slowly destroy rubber or plastic , I was very surprized to read this !!!
There are different kinds of silicone , different plastics , different kinds of rubber .
Read the instructions carefully , because some , (not many ) will insinuate , kinda try to trick you thinking they are safe for some materials , but if you take your time & read they are not .

 

I also heard & read about the ruff ride of poly bushings bust after seeing what happens to the factory rubber bushings and what it took to replace them (peassing in & out) I went poly.

Now to tell the truth I did not drive my truck with rubber bushings before the cab off frame rebuild but I cant see them being much different than the poly I have in the truck now.
Remember it is a truck not a Caddy but it dose not ride any worst than my 02 Durango.

I did use the poly grease as I have also heard if not they make noise.
Got to say no noise, they have been in for 4+ years and got to be over 10K as I use the truck year round.
So from 20*F to 100*F no noise on mine.

Again I only have them up from not in the rear or cab mounts.
Someone did just post in the 80 - 86 area that cab mounts will make it ride ruffer and make more noise in the cab.
Dave ----

 

I want the stiffness of the poly but the smoothness of the rubber , oh well......probably go with rubber & try to stiffen & maybe lower suspension , (just a little )
As of now I will not need the poly for road racing ..........but actually after I RE-Tire , I might...........ha...

 

You know, guys always say that poly bushings make the ride harsher, but I didn't notice a difference. Other than better handling. I think Tire pressure plays a much bigger role in ride quality. (And shocks)

 

X2
I was thinking the same thing the other day and did not post it.
I dont see the poly giving a harsher ride but tire PIS I do!

As for handling I cant say as I did not drive my truck with rubber bushings to know.
Dave ----

 

All I know is at least 4 or 5 , probably more videos & tv shows of them being installed is , all make it clear that the ride will be noticeably stiffer & harsher with the poly & squeak if not greased ...ha...........
There may be some variables to consider , like which ones/area you install ???
I would say size & composition of tire would be a variable not air . Of course if you put in way to much air during a quick pit-stop yes truck will be hard riding .
Anyway I just try to pass on some things that have been passed on to me............
After reading you guys posts I may try poly & rubber bushings together in different places. Probably , will try to install a sway bar & other suspension stuff , cuz I like truck to ride like a truck .
Now after I install turbos & go around a curve on 2 tires then yes , if I live , I may switch to pols bushings as soon as I can.............lol..............