How much flex
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Junior User
Joined: Jul 2005
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How much flex
Does a 1979 F-150 with a solid front end and stock radius arms have a lot of flex. it seems to me that an arm bolted solidly to the bracket and axle wouldnt move much at all. Just wondering.
Will
Will
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Joined: Apr 2003
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From: Virginia Beach
I had asked this question awhile ago. I was told (and it makes sense) that the flex in the older trucks comes from the "squish" in the "C" bushings. You can get soft rubber bushings to help it flex better. You can also install Hiem joints on the radius arm ends to help some there. And there is the wristed radius arm (search 
) which dramatically improves flex, as well as longer radius arms 
To answer your question though, no the stock setup doesn't flex all that well.
) which dramatically improves flex, as well as longer radius arms To answer your question though, no the stock setup doesn't flex all that well.
Elder User
Joined: Nov 2005
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Originally Posted by teds74ford
What are you guys talking about? I get mad crazy flex- when my frame torques about 6" 
Post Fiend
Joined: Mar 2005
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From: Louisiana
I personally don't think you need to box in a 73-79 Frame. They are fairly stout as it is.
But I don't get alot of flex out of my 79, but with a 6" supper flex lift I get enough for what I do. My all means it's not going to climb a 4" rock on one side of the truck, but then to I didn't want a rock crawler. (going 2.5 mph just doesn't excite me)
But I don't get alot of flex out of my 79, but with a 6" supper flex lift I get enough for what I do. My all means it's not going to climb a 4" rock on one side of the truck, but then to I didn't want a rock crawler. (going 2.5 mph just doesn't excite me)
Senior User
Joined: Sep 2005
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From: Southwest VA.
My '79 F-150 when it was in stock trim had decent, but not great flex for a stock truck. I will say though that my '88 F-250 can pearch a tire on a taller stump than my '79 could, however it does also have a 2.5" lift, and crazy amounts of frame flex (ext. cab, long bed). Since I've gotten the rear suspension done, the '79 will out flex the F-250 with nothin but rear flex alone (about 20" of travel in the rear suspension). When I get the front done I hope to be able to pearch a tire on a 36" tall stump.
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Logistics Pro
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Post pics. I wanna see!
As far as frame strength, I have no doubts that the frames are plenty strong, just not very rigid, compared to new trucks.
As far as frame strength, I have no doubts that the frames are plenty strong, just not very rigid, compared to new trucks.
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Senior User
Joined: Sep 2005
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From: Southwest VA.
Originally Posted by teds74ford
Post pics. I wanna see!
As far as frame strength, I have no doubts that the frames are plenty strong, just not very rigid, compared to new trucks.
As far as frame strength, I have no doubts that the frames are plenty strong, just not very rigid, compared to new trucks.
Posting Guru
Joined: Nov 2005
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From: the side of a mountain
mine got pretty good flex when i dropped the drive side rear about 3ft+ in a hole and the passenger rear was on the ground and the front was too. i couldent get outta the hole that easily but all the wheels stayed in the ground and i could reach out the window and touch ground. i hope to have pics of it sometime soon its just a matter of my uncle gettin the pics on a cd (hes a chebby guy and of course he had to be there when it happend and just happend to have a camera)
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