radius arm drop brakets?
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Elder User
Joined: Apr 2008
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From: Dixon, IL
radius arm drop brakets?
I have a 78 f150 that I'm starting to collect parts for. I'm looking to do a 4" coil lift, with a spacer also, and 4" drop pitman arm. Will I need radius arm drop brackets also?
as a side note, does anyone every body lift this 73-79s?
as a side note, does anyone every body lift this 73-79s?
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Elder User
Joined: Apr 2008
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From: Dixon, IL
I am familiar with body lifts, just wasn't sure if anyone actually used them on these trucks. I'm use to the 88-98 chevys that everyone body lifts
Cargo Master
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 2,219
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From: Colorado Springs
if you don't drop the radius arms, your pinion angles and steering will be wrong. i have never seen a spacer used on these. your friend could have done the lift without the drop bracket, but that sounds like a bad idea. i'm sure you could buy the brackets separate anyway. yes, body lifts are common on these trucks.
Senior User
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 145
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From: Dickson, Tennessee
Some numbers to help.....with every inch of lift you will loose about 1.2 degrees of caster so (4 x 1.2 = 4.8 deg ) so you could get back your caster with C-Bushings I think they offer them in 2deg 4deg and 6 deg (I would go with the 6deg because you will have bigger tires and a little more caster will help a wide tire track better. Now the other way for every inch you lower thre radius arms at the frame you gain about 1.8 deg of caster so (4.8 / 1.8 = 2.66 inches or 3 inches) to get the caster back were it needs to be.
Hope this helps.
Hope this helps.
Post Fiend
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 5,377
Likes: 2
From: Elkhart IN
Ok.
First off, if you do a drop pitman arm, you have to drop the trac bar too. If you don't, you'll have bumpsteer (read=bad).
Second, don't run the spacers above the spring. 4 inches it quite a bit on these trucks.
Third, no body lifts..
First off, if you do a drop pitman arm, you have to drop the trac bar too. If you don't, you'll have bumpsteer (read=bad).
Second, don't run the spacers above the spring. 4 inches it quite a bit on these trucks.
Third, no body lifts..
Post Fiend
Joined: May 2004
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From: St George, SC I-95
well, I was going to just piece a kit together, a buddy of mine has the coils and arm. I was going to ADD A SPACER to the 4" coil to get 5". a friend has 4" coils, arm drop and NO drop bracket, and claims I don't need one, just seeing what other opinions are.
I am familiar with body lifts, just wasn't sure if anyone actually used them on these trucks. I'm use to the 88-98 chevys that everyone body lifts
I am familiar with body lifts, just wasn't sure if anyone actually used them on these trucks. I'm use to the 88-98 chevys that everyone body lifts
Why dont you do it right and buy a 6-8" lift kit and forget about the suck @$$ body lift? Do not substitute spacers in the place of the correct height coils.
Next is a few things that Im not sure youve thought of yet.
8" lift right? what size tires are you intending to run? I bought and quickly sold a 79 F150 a couple weeks ago that had 40s with an 8" lift and no rubs.
What gears are you planning to run? your stock 3.50s wont turn 38-40s worth a crap. Without knowing anything other specs Id look in to 4.56-4.88 gears
What axles do you have? Your D44 wont last 3 seconds with 38-40s and the 9" wont be the happiest either. You could buy chromo shafts but thats not going to help much.
Extended drive shafts? Your stock 1310 Ujoint d-shafts will be too short and too weak for much abuse offroad.
Plus you have engine tranny brakes and steering upgrades to handle the probable tire size.
Welcome to the offroad forum
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Thread Starter
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Elder User
Joined: Apr 2008
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From: Dixon, IL
Im not reading the rest of these post.
Why dont you do it right and buy a 6-8" lift kit and forget about the suck @$$ body lift? Do not substitute spacers in the place of the correct height coils.
Next is a few things that Im not sure youve thought of yet.
8" lift right? what size tires are you intending to run? I bought and quickly sold a 79 F150 a couple weeks ago that had 40s with an 8" lift and no rubs.
What gears are you planning to run? your stock 3.50s wont turn 38-40s worth a crap. Without knowing anything other specs Id look in to 4.56-4.88 gears
What axles do you have? Your D44 wont last 3 seconds with 38-40s and the 9" wont be the happiest either. You could buy chromo shafts but thats not going to help much.
Extended drive shafts? Your stock 1310 Ujoint d-shafts will be too short and too weak for much abuse offroad.
Plus you have engine tranny brakes and steering upgrades to handle the probable tire size.
Welcome to the offroad forum
Why dont you do it right and buy a 6-8" lift kit and forget about the suck @$$ body lift? Do not substitute spacers in the place of the correct height coils.
Next is a few things that Im not sure youve thought of yet.
8" lift right? what size tires are you intending to run? I bought and quickly sold a 79 F150 a couple weeks ago that had 40s with an 8" lift and no rubs.
What gears are you planning to run? your stock 3.50s wont turn 38-40s worth a crap. Without knowing anything other specs Id look in to 4.56-4.88 gears
What axles do you have? Your D44 wont last 3 seconds with 38-40s and the 9" wont be the happiest either. You could buy chromo shafts but thats not going to help much.
Extended drive shafts? Your stock 1310 Ujoint d-shafts will be too short and too weak for much abuse offroad.
Plus you have engine tranny brakes and steering upgrades to handle the probable tire size.
Welcome to the offroad forum
Thread Starter
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Elder User
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 542
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From: Dixon, IL
location? I'm in NW ILL, I found one in Tenn so far
