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Rebuilding the front end on my 1983 F150 4x4. L radius arm was shot. Ordered new from Bronco Graveyard. It came in and the stub shaft with the threads is much shorter than original. Emailed them and they said it’s the later style arm and to just use the later style bushings. OK the bushings they said to get.
Now when installing, I had to use a come-a-long to get the nut started, and I dont think I can get it to torque at the bottom of the threads without totally crushing the new bushings. I barely got the nut past its lock threads and stopped.
I don't think I would worry about the torque so much as long as it is reasonably tight.
Take the bushing so it pooches out a bit and see how it drives.
Don't over tighten the bushings or they will break apart
You don't have any of the extra spacers installed that may have been on your originals do you? (referred to as "wedding bands" on attached picture)
Let me see if I can find the diagram I had several years back..... Found & uploaded...
Last edited by McLeod; Mar 2, 2024 at 07:22 PM.
Reason: added picture from Rancho lift kit instructions
Ok so I ended up just torquing the nut to 120 ft lbs. It stopped turning with about 3 threads showing and torqued up fine. I’ll be good. Only thing now is I have an early style on the right and late on left. But it should be fine.
You can always add large washers or the "wedding band" to make up the distance so that the bushings are the same.
As of 2 or 3 years ago when I last went through this Superlift bushings are the only ones made anymore that resemble the larger style Ford had originally supplied on some models.
Not entirely sure Superlift is even an option anymore though after selling out to some other company and reducing their foot print.
