lowering '77 f150
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lowering '77 f150
how much drop can you get out of the front, and still be able to align it. i dont want to spend the money for i beams cause its just my beater truck. i thought i heard you can do 2" with just coils. where can i find coils and alingment parts
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Laughing Gas
Joined: Sep 2006
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From: Backwoods of western Pa
If you check with LMC Truck, they sell 2" lowering springs for half-ton 2WD trucks that they claim do not require camber adjustment. I think this will still give you a small amount of negative camber, but it shouldn't be excessive to the point that you cannot align it.
As far as alignments, I took my '79 to a professional alignment shop after installing my lowering kit, cost was like $25 for a front-end alignment. All they did was adjust the toe-in, since that is all that is adjustable. They said that my caster was out slightly, but it is nonadjustable except with offset radius-arm bushings (they would have to order them). My truck drives arrow straight and handles great without adjusting the caster, so I'm not going to mess with it.
Also, there are a few companies that sell do-it-yourself alignment kits (for adjusting toe-in), but they are probably only worth it if you will be doing multiple alignments (I think the kits are well over $100). Do a search online to see what you can find (I can't remember off-hand who sells them).
Hope this helps.
As far as alignments, I took my '79 to a professional alignment shop after installing my lowering kit, cost was like $25 for a front-end alignment. All they did was adjust the toe-in, since that is all that is adjustable. They said that my caster was out slightly, but it is nonadjustable except with offset radius-arm bushings (they would have to order them). My truck drives arrow straight and handles great without adjusting the caster, so I'm not going to mess with it.
Also, there are a few companies that sell do-it-yourself alignment kits (for adjusting toe-in), but they are probably only worth it if you will be doing multiple alignments (I think the kits are well over $100). Do a search online to see what you can find (I can't remember off-hand who sells them).
Hope this helps.
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FORD141: i was checking out the pics of your truck. what size tires are you runing in them? what did the 1/2 down spindles do for you? in the link above it says they bend the i beams to do the alignment.
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Posting Guru
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From: Madison, SD
Originally Posted by bucks77ford
Out of curiosity...Why would you want to lower it?
Last edited by Dave Severson; Jan 4, 2007 at 08:36 AM.
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all the cars ive owned were built to be made better. all i ever see is silveraldos and s10's hooked up. no one in my area has anything like mine. uncle jesse would have done the same if them duke boys didnt keep him so busy.
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From: Madison, SD
Originally Posted by SPRPRBGT
all the cars ive owned were built to be made better. all i ever see is silveraldos and s10's hooked up. no one in my area has anything like mine. uncle jesse would have done the same if them duke boys didnt keep him so busy.
Laughing Gas
Joined: Sep 2006
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From: Backwoods of western Pa
Originally Posted by SPRPRBGT
FORD141: i was checking out the pics of your truck. what size tires are you runing in them? what did the 1/2 down spindles do for you? in the link above it says they bend the i beams to do the alignment.
The 1/2 ton spindle swap allowed me to run 5-bolt hubs and brakes, so I can run standard 1/2 ton wheels and tires. My truck started as a 3/4 ton with 8-bolt wheels, and I don't need the extra weight since I never haul anything with this truck (that's what my 05 is for). I also swapped to a posi 9" rear with 5-bolt axles that I just happened to have laying around from my last '79 truck project.
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Joined: Jan 2006
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From: Kasson, Minnesota
I really don't mind the look of a lower truck, I was just curious 
. Don't see to many threads on lowering these old trucks. I see quite a few newer trucks lowered, but not these. You definately see just the opposite alot, lift kits and huge tires.
. Don't see to many threads on lowering these old trucks. I see quite a few newer trucks lowered, but not these. You definately see just the opposite alot, lift kits and huge tires.
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From: london, Kentucky
Not trying to bash anybody, but when I was little, I asked my grandma what kinda guys lowered trucks, and she replied "those that squat to pee." lol. Ever since that day, I've not looked at lowered trucks the same way...My neighbor has two 92-96 shortbed Flaresides that are kinda low, they look awesome, I don't know if I'd like a 73-79 that was low though, but its not my truck, so to each his own.
Laughing Gas
Joined: Sep 2006
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From: Backwoods of western Pa
Originally Posted by Mil1ion
IMO, the only trucks that look okay lowered are the 80-90 Rangers.
These 73-79 F-series were made for working
These 73-79 F-series were made for working