78 Super cab steering help
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From: Mt Sinai USA
78 Super cab steering help
I was hoping someone could steer me in the right direction. I recently purchased A 78 F150 Super cab truck. It has the leaf spring front suspension. I am told this is different than the F250 suspension and there weren't alot of these made. The truck is suspension lifted slightly, and because of that the height difference between the ground & the pitman arm & the ground & the radius arm on the knuckle is about 6". Someone replaced the center link between these points with one that is straight & now the vehicle doesn't make right turns. The center link crashes with the suspension. It appears that I need a bent center link. I have been on the phone with all major suspension companies & none of them have anything for this truck as they say it is rare. Not even a drop pitman arm. Anyway, sorry this is lengthy, but I figured if I put out what I am against, someone hopefully has gone through this or knows where to steer me. literally. Thanks in advance. Andrew
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Joined: Mar 2002
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From: Phx, AZ
78 Super cab steering help
i think i can help you. i looked at one of these truck's a few months ago that i was gonna buy. it's called a "Heavy Half Ton" the guy who own's it (might have sold it buy now) works at a 4x4 shop here in Phx,Az. the name of the shop is "Desert Rat"there are a few shops around town. here is the phone # to the shop i think he works at. 480-838-7800 if that's not it try 480-833-7300. i forget his name but just ask if anyone works there who own's (or recently sold) a 79 supercab 4x4 brown and tan with a 6" lift and 35" tires. he said he put the lift in at work. so if he doesnt work there anymore theyshould be able to help you.
Paul
Paul
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From: Mesa, AZ
78 Super cab steering help
F350: Did you look under the front of the truck close at all? I always belived these trucks to be identical to our heavier supercabs with the exception of the axles. Just wondering if you noticed any differences.
If they are identical, the same pitman arm and/or drag links made for the 250/350s should work. I got rid of my drop drag link & pitman arm after I did crossover steering on mine, so I don't really have anything to look at to even make a guess anymore.
If they are identical, the same pitman arm and/or drag links made for the 250/350s should work. I got rid of my drop drag link & pitman arm after I did crossover steering on mine, so I don't really have anything to look at to even make a guess anymore.
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From: Mt Sinai USA
78 Super cab steering help
I'm going to call the numbers today. Thanks for the response. However, what norulz is getting at may be correct. I talked to the guys at Superlift who I have done business with before, and to Skyjacker, who both told me the F150 version of this truck is different than the 250 & 350 version. They couldn't tell me exactly what though. If it's something like the shaft on the box, maybe if I swap out the box then I can use the lift stuff from the heavier truck. Just a thought. If anyone has an idea let me know. Thanks again... Andrew
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Joined: Jun 2000
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From: Mesa, AZ
78 Super cab steering help
hey, no prob... just curious
we should get together sometime though, I'd love to check out your trucks. I'll probably cry looking at yours, & you might hate me for what I've done to mine though, hahaha.
we should get together sometime though, I'd love to check out your trucks. I'll probably cry looking at yours, & you might hate me for what I've done to mine though, hahaha.
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From: Mt Sinai USA
78 Super cab steering help
Ok guys, I was able to locate the guy who originally had the truck when the suspension was done. He said the steering stuff was out of an F250. So this makes it easier I guess. He said it had a bent center link from the pitman arm to the radius arm on the knuckle. Now I just have to research which company makes this, or should I just change to someone's dropped pitman arm and be done with it.
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From: Mesa, AZ
78 Super cab steering help
Skyjacker makes both the drop drag link & dropped pitman arm. Had them both on mine before I went to crossover.
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From: San Diego
78 Super cab steering help
norulz
Which brand of crossover steering did you use? I want to convert to crossover steering and maybe a Rock Ram type power assist. Do you have any pic's of your steering?
My truck is a 79 F250 4x4, factory A/C & power steering, 460, L&L brackets & fender exit headers, 100amp alt, C6, NP205, Dana 60 front & rear, 4:56 gears, Detroit lockers, 4" Skyjacker softride front springs, 35 BFG's.
Thanks, Jon
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Which brand of crossover steering did you use? I want to convert to crossover steering and maybe a Rock Ram type power assist. Do you have any pic's of your steering?
My truck is a 79 F250 4x4, factory A/C & power steering, 460, L&L brackets & fender exit headers, 100amp alt, C6, NP205, Dana 60 front & rear, 4:56 gears, Detroit lockers, 4" Skyjacker softride front springs, 35 BFG's.
Thanks, Jon
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Senior User
Joined: Jun 2000
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From: Mesa, AZ
78 Super cab steering help
did my crossover on my own...
A LOT has changed since I originally did it, but memory tells me it was a 4" skyjacker pitman arm turned 90 degrees, a drag link from a 80-up F150 (as I understand 2wd & 4wd are the same untill 98) & the steering arm is a Dynatrac piece (any steering arm should work though)
Now I'm running a F150 box with a West Texas Offroad ram assist... www.westtexasoffroad.com. everything now is custom though, & not exactly street friendly. The box didn't mount in a convienient place, & it has a nasty steering shaft angle, It steers weird, but that's why I have a trailer & the truck hasn't been on the street since 1997.
A LOT has changed since I originally did it, but memory tells me it was a 4" skyjacker pitman arm turned 90 degrees, a drag link from a 80-up F150 (as I understand 2wd & 4wd are the same untill 98) & the steering arm is a Dynatrac piece (any steering arm should work though)
Now I'm running a F150 box with a West Texas Offroad ram assist... www.westtexasoffroad.com. everything now is custom though, & not exactly street friendly. The box didn't mount in a convienient place, & it has a nasty steering shaft angle, It steers weird, but that's why I have a trailer & the truck hasn't been on the street since 1997.
Last edited by norulz; Jul 20, 2003 at 04:04 AM.
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From: San Diego
78 Super cab steering help
Thanks
I guess I'll keep checking because streetablility is quite important since this truck tows our enclosed trailer to the dunes just south of Glamis.
Best regards,
jon
I guess I'll keep checking because streetablility is quite important since this truck tows our enclosed trailer to the dunes just south of Glamis.
Best regards,
jon
Senior User
Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 175
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From: Mesa, AZ
78 Super cab steering help
oops, guess I made that sound bad... the first crossover I had was great on the street, the truck would have to be lifted to do it, & you have to use the dropped pitman arm because the stock one will hit the crossmember that goes under the engine, & the drag link will be very close to the crossmember, but it does clear. I just can't get any pics due to it not being set up that way anymore.
