Specs for MII install
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Junior User
Joined: Nov 2007
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From: McCloud CA, Nor Cal
Specs for MII install
I know this is probable the most common asked and answered question for the MII install but I have been searching the threads and I seam to only find general answers. I'm going to install the TCI MII front suspention in my 48 next weekend and want to make sure I have it aligned right. I read before that it needs to be offset 1 1/2 to 1 1/4 inches forward to center the wheels in the wheel wells, but since It's down to bare frame I'm going to need some measurements from either the front of the frame or from the cab mounts forward to find where I need to center the crossmember. Any help would be greatly appreciated, Thanks again!!
Senior User
Joined: Apr 2002
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From: Austin, TX
Proud
I didn't use anyone's "measurement". Where the front tires are in the front fenders I figured was a matter of personal preference. Someone's measurement might not be to your likeing and there are other considerations--engine, oil pan, headers, electric or mechanical fan etc. These things have to be clearanced.
Can you figure out the original centerline for reference? I determined my cross member placement by actually mocking up the rad support, fender support,inner fender and fender then noodling it out. Tacked it and then made sure everything else was gonna fit. The project actually grew in complexity as I situated the engine and tranny at the same time. Seemed like a shame to have everything where it needed to go and not at least tack everything in place (motor mounts).
Worked for me. But then, I have been known to do things the hard way!
I didn't use anyone's "measurement". Where the front tires are in the front fenders I figured was a matter of personal preference. Someone's measurement might not be to your likeing and there are other considerations--engine, oil pan, headers, electric or mechanical fan etc. These things have to be clearanced.
Can you figure out the original centerline for reference? I determined my cross member placement by actually mocking up the rad support, fender support,inner fender and fender then noodling it out. Tacked it and then made sure everything else was gonna fit. The project actually grew in complexity as I situated the engine and tranny at the same time. Seemed like a shame to have everything where it needed to go and not at least tack everything in place (motor mounts).
Worked for me. But then, I have been known to do things the hard way!
Senior User
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 423
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From: Winters Ca
I should have my TCI MII kit this week from HartRods and what I plan on doing is mark the axel center line on the frame before pulling the front end off so the weight of the vehical is on the front springs. Then I will pull it all apart and mock up the new MII cross member from those marks. I diss agree that the motor or radiator will have anything to do with axel placement because the tire being in the center of the wheel open is more important. You can move the rad forward or the engine backwards into teh fire wall if need be but if the tire is off nothing will look right. My truck had a V8 stock so I have about 4" I can move the rad forward and with the engine close to the firewall that will leave me about 2 1/2" of fan to rad clearance but I still may have to mod a few things from their. But for me the tire placement is #1 and everything else will and can adjust.
Good luck and take your time getting it right the first time.
Kevin
LFD inc.
Good luck and take your time getting it right the first time.
Kevin
LFD inc.
Senior User
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 414
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From: Austin, TX
Frankly, I was a little surprised at how it all turned out--about 1" clearance in the rear and between 3/4" and 1" in the front with an electric fan(forgot about the pulley covers!). Wheels are pretty much dead on centered.
Sure seemed like alot more room in there with no engine.
Best of luck and post pics.
old and in the way
Joined: Jul 1997
Posts: 5,918
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From: Lovely Hueytown Alabama
Troy,
I'd do a little more research... the 53-56 trucks like mine need the front c/l moved forward to center the wheells... I don't know about the f-1s they have a longer wheelbase (114") what you've read might apply to the f-100s and not the f-1s.
Maybe soon one of the 48-52 owners will chime in and tell you for sure.
I'd hate to see you do the work and the placement would be wrong. I KNOW how hard it is to redo front suspension.
later
John
I'd do a little more research... the 53-56 trucks like mine need the front c/l moved forward to center the wheells... I don't know about the f-1s they have a longer wheelbase (114") what you've read might apply to the f-100s and not the f-1s.
Maybe soon one of the 48-52 owners will chime in and tell you for sure.
I'd hate to see you do the work and the placement would be wrong. I KNOW how hard it is to redo front suspension.
later
John
Senior User
Joined: Jun 2007
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From: Kemah TX.
When I did mine I started by marking the center of the stock axle with a plumb bob then I know this does not help I dropped the same plumb bob from the center of the fender and it was verry close to being the same. If your axle is already out you can use the holes from the bump stop hole to find the axle centerline. I will look at mine Tuesday when I go into work and measure from the stock front spring mounting holes and let you know.
Mike
Mike
Lead Driver
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 8,813
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From: Littleton, New Hampshire
You should not need to move the axle centerline forward in 48-52 trucks. That only applies to 53-56 which were not centered from the factory. I used the front axle snubber frame hole as a centerline for the Volare in my 48 and it worked out great. 
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Senior User
Joined: Jun 2007
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From: Kemah TX.
What measurements do you want from where to where I will get them for you Tuesday.
But you can go off of the bump stop hole that is the center of the stock axle so it will be the center of your MII crossmember.
Your new CM will have some pretty good directions on finding center but I found mine to be off about 1/2" from actual center.
Mike
But you can go off of the bump stop hole that is the center of the stock axle so it will be the center of your MII crossmember.
Your new CM will have some pretty good directions on finding center but I found mine to be off about 1/2" from actual center.
Mike
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Joined: Dec 2006
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Proud48f1
The install is pretty straightfoward. Your starting messurment will be back from the front shackle mount. (the large hole) 17 1/8 inch.This will be the center point of your crossmember. Tack it there. Your upper shock tower mounts will be located foward of the crossmember 1 3/4 inch. This messurment is from the front outer edge of each.Tack it there. Now check everything for fit. Don't forget the boxing plates, the frame will have to be trimed for this. after everything has been checked then go back and weld it all up. Good luck.
Jim
The install is pretty straightfoward. Your starting messurment will be back from the front shackle mount. (the large hole) 17 1/8 inch.This will be the center point of your crossmember. Tack it there. Your upper shock tower mounts will be located foward of the crossmember 1 3/4 inch. This messurment is from the front outer edge of each.Tack it there. Now check everything for fit. Don't forget the boxing plates, the frame will have to be trimed for this. after everything has been checked then go back and weld it all up. Good luck.
Jim
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Joined: Mar 2008
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From: Longview wa
punch in ++ Total Cost Involved Engineering, Inc. ++, I picked up my second "55" and the kit came with it but no manual, so after some digging I found the hear, good luck....................
RICH
RICH
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Joined: May 2008
Posts: 7,641
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From: Poway, Ca.
Hi Proud!
I tried the link above and it didn't direct properly. Here is the one I use. It looks the same here but may be formatted differently. I tried it and this one works ok....maybe an FTE burp or something. It's the actual install instructions from TCI but it's for 53-56. If you navigate back you will find the ones for 48-52.
++ Total Cost Involved Engineering, Inc. ++
Good Luck,
Juls
I tried the link above and it didn't direct properly. Here is the one I use. It looks the same here but may be formatted differently. I tried it and this one works ok....maybe an FTE burp or something. It's the actual install instructions from TCI but it's for 53-56. If you navigate back you will find the ones for 48-52.
++ Total Cost Involved Engineering, Inc. ++
Good Luck,
Juls
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Junior User
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 69
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From: McCloud CA, Nor Cal
Thank you all for you help and input. I did notice today from looking at the frame that the lower lip sticks out farther than the upper lip on the frame and it looks and sounds like it needs to be trimed like stated above so I have a little more prep work to do. My friend showed up to look at it today to see what needs to be done and sayed it sould be pretty easy to do. I'm pretty excited to get it done it will be my first step to putting her back on the road. thanks again and I'll try to post some more pics of the progress.
