I just resurected and bought a 72 F250 camper special 4X4 today. The truck has 4" of body lift on top of 4" of suspension lift. I am afraid to drive it because the fan is touching the tranny oil line and the lower radiator hose. The bottom of the radiator is about an inch above the bottom of the fan. The VIN on this truck is F25YRP01223 Which indicates a 2 wheel drive by the F25. This truck apparantly has been heavily modified from original. It also has a 460, where the VIN says it was a 360. I'm suspecting someone dropped a 72 body on a newer chasis maybe? Whatever happened, they were not electricians, as the truck has been rewired mostly with lamp cord and black tape.

It has no fan shroud on it either. What do most people with big body lifts do about the radiator. Also is the shroud used to route air through the radiator properly, or is it to direct air onto the engine. Can I maybe just put a junkyard air pushing fan on the front of the radiator?

 

Hoo-boy, where to begin. You are smart for being afraid to drive it. Typically, body lifts are 3" max, but this doesn't mean 4" is neccesarily overly dangereous...as long as it was done right. But since they wired it with lamp cord I kind of doubt that. You need to look over the body & suspension lift very carefully to make sure this isn't a half-assed job and that it is indeed safe. Take it in to an expert if your not sure what your looking at. Usually with body lifts you have to move the radiator and the bumpers, and it sounds like they haven't done this if your fan is touching the tranny oil line and the lower radiator hose. Next, unless you are a big fan of truck fires, re-wire that entire rig and get rid of that lamp cord! I'm cringing as I write this. Finally, don't sweat the shroud. They help the effeciency of your cooling system but many folks run without them and don't overheat. Its good to have one if you can find one, but usually not a problem if you don't. To be honest, I'd have somebody who knows what he's doing look over your entire rig carefully...it sounds like some questionable and possible dangerous work has been done to it.

If your knuckles ain't bleeding you did something wrong.

'72 F-250 "Hi-Boy" 4x4, Dana 60/HD44, FE428 @ 400+ ponies , 4-speed, custom suspension w lift, mud on black.

 

The radiator is sitting on the front frame rail already, so it can't be moved down any more. How do most radiators get "moved" when a high body lift gets put on it. I can't see anyway to move it with the front supports the way they are. I'm getting tempted to trim an inch off of each blade, so that I can get her moving.

This truck has very little body left on it due to the salt on these wonderful winter highways here in Minnesota. I will be using it mostly off road, as my "bigblue" 78 4x4 is my baby that I drive daily. The lamp cord on this truck will all be coming off. Wiring doesn't bother me that bad, as I do alot of machine wiring at work. I will most likely make my own custom harness with just the basics. (lights, tach, temp, oil, ignition, and neon blue oval in the back window)

 

Once you give the truck a good look over, if you are happy with it proceed to obsticle 2. Rewire the whole thing. I've had a truck fire, running down the road in a rain storm. Can't stick your head out the window to breath. IT SUCKED, AND I WAS LUCKY. Don't take that for granted. And three, I would suggest an electric fan to cure your problem. Hope that helps

RubberDuck

 

Yup, if you don't have anymore room to play get a smaller flan blade or even an electrical. I hear they have ones that can handle a full size big block now...don't know much about them though.

If your knuckles ain't bleeding you did something wrong.

'72 F-250 "Hi-Boy" 4x4, Dana 60/HD44, FE428 @ 400+ ponies , 4-speed, custom suspension w lift, mud on black.

 

Dont go cutting on your fan, you would get it all out of balance, and it would vibrate like crazy. If you are real desperate, you could run without a fan, just dont stop very long. Im sure you could find a smaller fan in a junk yard for cheap.

Dave
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