front wheels go /---\
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From: Quad Cities, IA
front wheels go /---\
The front of my '89 F-250 seems to have something weak in it's suspension. The wheels literally go /---\ (not that drastic, saw that someone else here has a truck that does that too), and the whole front end seems to be pointing down farther than it should. Headlights are aimed way too low, as well.
I know the shocks are pretty shot, they're probably original to the truck, but I'm wondering if that's the only reason for the sag? My buddy has a '79 F-100 that needed new rear shocks, and it set the whole back end up a couple inches when he replaced the worn out ones... Do I just need shocks, or do you guys think my springs may be shot as well?
If it's just shocks, I can swap them out when the snow melts. If it's something worse, I'll probably just drive it the way it is 'till it breaks, then part the truck out ($500 truck to start with, the 460 and ZF tranny are worth more than the whole truck).
I know the shocks are pretty shot, they're probably original to the truck, but I'm wondering if that's the only reason for the sag? My buddy has a '79 F-100 that needed new rear shocks, and it set the whole back end up a couple inches when he replaced the worn out ones... Do I just need shocks, or do you guys think my springs may be shot as well?
If it's just shocks, I can swap them out when the snow melts. If it's something worse, I'll probably just drive it the way it is 'till it breaks, then part the truck out ($500 truck to start with, the 460 and ZF tranny are worth more than the whole truck).
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From: Quad Cities, IA
I was afraid of that... I'll probably still try new shocks, just to see. I'm also wondering if "add-a-leaf" kits or "spring helpers" would work on a front axle?
I know you're not supposed to put blocks on them, and wouldn't do it anyway since I don't want "lift", just back to stock height. I just don't know if the add-a-leaf setup is safe for the front axle...
I know you're not supposed to put blocks on them, and wouldn't do it anyway since I don't want "lift", just back to stock height. I just don't know if the add-a-leaf setup is safe for the front axle...
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From: Chestermere,Alberta
I don't know about "add a leaf" but blocks are a no no on the front. Just save up for a set of new springs and shocks.Till now they still work but they will wear your tires on edge.Then the bill will get higher to repair the sag if you have to add on tires.
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From: Quad Cities, IA
Well, the tires are already worn on one side. I bought the thing with crappy tires to begin with, and they're getting replaced in the spring if the truck lasts that long. (I don't see why it won't, the thing runs like it's new.)
I'll probably just wait 'till then and do it all at once. The only thing I keep thinking about is when I hit really rough terrain, which I do fairly often, the angle the wheels are at have GOT to be putting a lot more stress on my balljoints than normal...
EDIT: you beat me to the ball joint theory, dixokai ... heh
I'll probably just wait 'till then and do it all at once. The only thing I keep thinking about is when I hit really rough terrain, which I do fairly often, the angle the wheels are at have GOT to be putting a lot more stress on my balljoints than normal...
EDIT: you beat me to the ball joint theory, dixokai ... heh
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From: Sand Lake, MI
Shocks do not hold weight, they only control bounce so even though it needs them it won't lift it up.
If it did on your buddys truck they where either air shocks as already pointed out or "wishful thinking" brought it up!
If you do fix it and find its all in the springs, it probably is but check the ball joints.
Don't get them "add a leafs", I did that to my plow truck, a 94 f-250 and now it rides like a dumpster with four square wheels. All of em "Steel" wheels at that!
I may yet pull that all out and replace it with new spring packs for a f350. I wish I would have to start with.
If it did on your buddys truck they where either air shocks as already pointed out or "wishful thinking" brought it up!
If you do fix it and find its all in the springs, it probably is but check the ball joints.
Don't get them "add a leafs", I did that to my plow truck, a 94 f-250 and now it rides like a dumpster with four square wheels. All of em "Steel" wheels at that!
I may yet pull that all out and replace it with new spring packs for a f350. I wish I would have to start with.
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From: Quad Cities, IA
Thanks, Dan. I'll just replace the entire spring pack and the shocks at the same time this spring. Even though this truck's body is rusty, full of holes, and just plain hideous, I can't help but love the thing.
Ugly body + loud, awful sounding exhaust = truck that nobody wants to steal (or borrow, for that matter).
Ugly body + loud, awful sounding exhaust = truck that nobody wants to steal (or borrow, for that matter).
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From: Belle Mead NJ
I have a F350 as my name says and it rides rough, so I dont think it will matter if you put the F350 springs in. You just wont need the add a leafs then. All new shocks 2. Might be 36's making it rough. I dont remember how it rode when I had the stock 235/85/16's on. Maybe that could be it. I knew a guy that did add a leafs and he loved it. Said it rode the same.
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From: Sand Lake, MI
Originally Posted by 95F350XL
I have a F350 as my name says and it rides rough, so I dont think it will matter if you put the F350 springs in. You just wont need the add a leafs then. All new shocks 2. Might be 36's making it rough. I dont remember how it rode when I had the stock 235/85/16's on. Maybe that could be it. I knew a guy that did add a leafs and he loved it. Said it rode the same.
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From: Quad Cities, IA
I don't have a plow, so that's not a concern.
What I might do is, get a set of add-a-leaf's for now (since they're dirt cheap around here) and try it. If it doesn't work I'm not out much money.
Later on, I'll probably wind up doing it the right way, but I honestly just have a hard time justifying spending a lot on a $500 truck that was only meant to be a temporary means of transportation while I worked on my '85.
What I might do is, get a set of add-a-leaf's for now (since they're dirt cheap around here) and try it. If it doesn't work I'm not out much money.
Later on, I'll probably wind up doing it the right way, but I honestly just have a hard time justifying spending a lot on a $500 truck that was only meant to be a temporary means of transportation while I worked on my '85.
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From: Belle Mead NJ
I got plow. Id like to put add a leafs it already rides like crap. I dont want to make my front higher then the back. Looks good the way it is now. Arnt the 250 springs saggin 2 begin with? I have never seen any smilling, there always sad lol.
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From: Quad Cities, IA
Originally Posted by 95F350XL
I got plow. Id like to put add a leafs it already rides like crap. I dont want to make my front higher then the back. Looks good the way it is now. Arnt the 250 springs saggin 2 begin with? I have never seen any smilling, there always sad lol.
I wonder what would happen if one were to ... flip them over?