Project Update!!!!
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 1,757
Likes: 29
From: Northeast Nebraska
well due to the fact that i can hardly walk after i drive it now adays, i'm looking in to fixing the suspension on the 81....anyone know of a magical place where they would sell all the bushings in one spot and fit into my budget?
(my budget is free or cheaper)
(my budget is free or cheaper)
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From: St. Libory
I don't know about fitting your budget, but I believe all my bushings came from AAP. Either them or Napa. I haven't ridden in her for about 6 months so I don't know how bad it is, but it might mean shocks, front coils, and fixing that cobbled mess on your rear springs. Radius arm bushings suck, the axle pivot bushings aren't bad, front coils are so easy you have to be a Chevy guy for it to take longer than 30 min a side. Your rear spring mess will be a chore, but shouldn't be too bad really. Just make sure you get your angle right on your shackles, or it will ride terrible!!!! (At least that's what I've read in the offroad forum when talking about flipping the hangers over and using the shackles in compression for a 4 inch lift. I would guess the same is true for leaving them the normal way.) New shocks go a long ways too. My 69 doesn't ride the best, bounces all over the road. I think it needs new shocks again but the ones on there are only 3 years old with not more than 4,000 miles on them......maybe I shouldn't get AAP specials......I think they were $20 a piece!!!
-Jake
-Jake
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 1,757
Likes: 29
From: Northeast Nebraska
geez man, i coulda told u that!
pretty much wat i have planned is a replacement of the bushings up front, then figuring out the rear shackle mess. wat i should really do is find different springs for the rear, as the ones on there now were off of a 2wd f350...u kno they fit like a saddle on a sow lol! i need to find a 3/4 ton 4x4 donor for them to work, and at that rate, they may end up being the correct lenght and then i won't have to worry about relocating the rear shackles (which would be ideal)
but, i wanna get those two things done first and see how the truck sits and decide from there if i wanna get a leveling kit or go for the lift kit... it's all gonna depend on how far up that rear sits. hate to buy new coils for the front and shocks all around when they may all get replaced w/ a lift kit anyway, u kno?
pretty much wat i have planned is a replacement of the bushings up front, then figuring out the rear shackle mess. wat i should really do is find different springs for the rear, as the ones on there now were off of a 2wd f350...u kno they fit like a saddle on a sow lol! i need to find a 3/4 ton 4x4 donor for them to work, and at that rate, they may end up being the correct lenght and then i won't have to worry about relocating the rear shackles (which would be ideal)
but, i wanna get those two things done first and see how the truck sits and decide from there if i wanna get a leveling kit or go for the lift kit... it's all gonna depend on how far up that rear sits. hate to buy new coils for the front and shocks all around when they may all get replaced w/ a lift kit anyway, u kno?
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From: St. Libory
I got new shocks and a sway bar for Ol' Blue. I'm gonna have a busy weekend.....working on my junk, helping my gf's dad get his boat running good, and farming. I might not be getting alot of sleep, but we'll see. There needs to be 3 of me!!!! Hopefully my Streetmaster shows up soon too. I don't think I'm going to get that put on before Kearney Cruise Night, but worst case senerio is that I run it like it is now, and then change intakes and take it back to a test and tune. I'd like to get some nice aluminum valve covers too. Maybe next paycheck....
Oh yea, I asked a guy at work what I'd run. He frequents KRP. I told him I weigh 4800 and we both agreed that will hurt me. He said 15.1 but didn't listen to what I had done to my motor. He said things usually run slow there, but I'm hoping for 14's at least. We'll see. Any takers? Here's my build : 390 punched .030 over, Comp 280H Magnum cam (280 adv duration, .530 lift), 360 pistons for good compression (flat-tops), polished C8 heads, "S-code" intake, Holley 670, headers, C6 with 2400 stall and a B&M Transpak, 3.54LS in the Dana 60.
-Jake
Oh yea, I asked a guy at work what I'd run. He frequents KRP. I told him I weigh 4800 and we both agreed that will hurt me. He said 15.1 but didn't listen to what I had done to my motor. He said things usually run slow there, but I'm hoping for 14's at least. We'll see. Any takers? Here's my build : 390 punched .030 over, Comp 280H Magnum cam (280 adv duration, .530 lift), 360 pistons for good compression (flat-tops), polished C8 heads, "S-code" intake, Holley 670, headers, C6 with 2400 stall and a B&M Transpak, 3.54LS in the Dana 60.
-Jake
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From: St. Libory
15.1 minutes wouldn't be good at all. My streetmaster showed up yesterday and I have it in my possesion. It needs to be cleaned, etc from sitting on the shelf. It's never been installed!!!! Anyway, I think I'm gonna wait til after Cruise Night, so I can see where it's at and see how much it actually helped.
-Jake
-Jake
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From: St. Libory
I'm thinking about bailing on the idea of taking Blue to Cruise Night. I haven't had time to get anything done on it. I'm not wild about driving it, and I'm not wild about hauling it. She might just stay home until the day finally comes that it's done.
To keep this on topic, my sway bar is here too. It is awaiting installation!!!
-Jake
To keep this on topic, my sway bar is here too. It is awaiting installation!!!
-Jake
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From: St. Libory
So I haven't been doing much on Blue but last night and tonight I've had the itch to work on it. This usually happens when I'm not around home. Soooooo I'm gonna see if dad can survive without it now (he's been using it on the farm a bunch this summer) and get the lights fixed on trailer that need fixed and bring her up here to Columbus. I'll be able to work on it after hours in the shop and have access to all of my tools, a welder, torch, etc. It will sure beat working on it in my hot garage at my apartment.......
-Jake
-Jake
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From: Omaha/Elkhorn, NE
Pulled the carb off of the 67, to make sure it wasn't full of old gas, spider webs, mouse turds, etc. Gotta get it pulled out to the pavement, so I can change the oil and plugs. I'll steal a battery out of the boat, and see if she'll fire. Gotta get the brakes on the Mustang finished tonight, so I can get on the 67!
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From: St. Libory
Got my sway bar put on Blue today, and did some minor tuning as well. Pics and a vid to follow!!!! (Yes, I now have a digital camera.....and sort of know how to use it!!!)
-Jake
-Jake
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From: St. Libory
I updated my photobucket with pics and a vid. Pics are mostly of the sway bar install. It went well, but drilling the holes sucked until I found a good bit. You'll have to excuse the video, the camera operator didn't know what he was doing......
http://s292.photobucket.com/albums/m...m44/69%20Ford/
-Jake
http://s292.photobucket.com/albums/m...m44/69%20Ford/
-Jake
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From: St. Libory
Oh, and since Kenny hasn't been on here lately......I'll post his progress!!!
http://s290.photobucket.com/albums/l...0025_56472.jpg
-Jake
http://s290.photobucket.com/albums/l...0025_56472.jpg
-Jake