What's Going On Here?
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Senior User
Joined: Feb 2004
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From: new jersey
What's Going On Here?
I am getting ready to weld in my tci crossmember into my frame rails 
and the directions say i may need to move the crossmember forward 1 1/4" for centering purposes. I was confussed 
on why, so i call tci and they told me that some ford trucks didn't have there front wheels center of the fenders, and that some were offset to the rear of the fenders and she (shelly the customer service rep) couldn't tell me why. Why would ford do this? can anybody help me on this one.
and the directions say i may need to move the crossmember forward 1 1/4" for centering purposes. I was confussed on why, so i call tci and they told me that some ford trucks didn't have there front wheels center of the fenders, and that some were offset to the rear of the fenders and she (shelly the customer service rep) couldn't tell me why. Why would ford do this? can anybody help me on this one.
Posting Guru
Joined: May 2002
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From: Northwest Fl
Most if not all of the 53-56 F100's had the front wheel slightly to the rear in stock form. Not sure why, but most move the wheels forward 3/4" to 1" forward when doing the IFS thing. I moved mine an 1" and they are now centered, others will likely offer more input and suggestions.
Postmaster
Joined: Apr 2004
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From: Santa Clarita
54- I think it was just poor designing back in the 50's. No particular reason and it doesn't really effect anything, other than looking like the wheels are not centered. I know they even sell leaf springs for the original straight axles now with the holes drilled 1" forward to center the wheels, but then you also have to compensate with the draglink and the rest of the suspension. I've noticed at shows, several people notice this difference on wheels being centered.
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Joined: May 2004
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From: MN - NW of Twin Cities
I would move it forward the 1 1/4" as a minimum. If you are considering moving the front wheelwell opening forward (in order to equalize the amount of sheet metal in front vs. behind the wheelweel) then you should move the crossmember forward that additional amount. I didn't consider this and wish I had. I now would like to reduce the amount of sheet metal in front of the wheelwell and I can't because it would move the tire off center of wheelwell opening. Just some food for thought.
Bruce
Bruce
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Joined: Aug 2004
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From: Queanbeyan Australia
The other factor is that as you lower an F100 the missalignment looks worse, due to the wheel moving up in the fender.
It doesn't look that noticeable on a nosebleed lightside truck, but looks awefull on a slammed darkside truck.
Ignore the spec sheet .......move it 1 1/4 forward and then eyeball it for final position AT RIDE HEIGHT.
Come over to the darkside.....you know you want too
It doesn't look that noticeable on a nosebleed lightside truck, but looks awefull on a slammed darkside truck.
Ignore the spec sheet .......move it 1 1/4 forward and then eyeball it for final position AT RIDE HEIGHT.
Come over to the darkside.....you know you want too
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Senior User
Joined: Feb 2004
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From: new jersey
Thanks guys, i will go ahead and move it forward 1 1/4" i plan on welding it in this weekend. I am also waiting on an center frame Xmember kit that i ordered from walton fabrications as added support for the frame, it seemed abit pricey at $550.00 i could of made one myself but i took the easy way out to saved myself alot of headaches and mistakes, plus waltons looks really nice. when i get it all welded in i will update my gallery so everyone can see it.
