Hello all, I picked up the '64 F100 4x4 last weekend and rolled it into the shop, didn't have much time to look it over, it does have a little rust in the cab corners and core support that I can see, not a big deal, box is pretty beat, going to look at some beds at the junkyard sometime in the near future, I can save the one on the truck, it'll just be a lot of work. If anyone has a line on a good 57-60 style long bed, LMK!

Anyway, I was a little concerned about not having power steering, but from the little moving the truck around I did, the steering effort was pretty minimal. What I'm wondering now is about the closed knuckle Dana 44?? on the front end. I have messed with these a little, but that's been years and years ago. I do have the capability to rebuild it if need be, but I'm wondering how in the heck would a guy set the caster and camber on these king bearings? Is there any adjustment? Or is it just toe and done? I am installing an OD trans in the truck and would like to be able to cruise at 80mph on the interstate without being all over the road. Would that be possible with this setup? I have a competent alignment shop I can take it to when I'm done, but forgot to ask them how the alignment is set exactly.

If the best I'll get out of it on the highway is squirrelly, I'll look into swapping a newer coil sprung open knuckle 44 in, and we can discuss that. Thoughts?

 

I should add that I'm building the truck for a Customer (my wife, lol) so I do have quite a bit of input on what will happen, but ultimately it's up to her, she has stated she want's to keep it "mostly original", except for the EFI 4.9L, M5OD trans and borg-warner t-case of course.

 

Camber and caster is not adjustable. Toe in only.

Garbz

 

I had a 67 with 4.56 gears and kelly safari extra load 33/12.50r16.5, 352 punched .080 428 interceptor cam, good valve springs and an msd. I don't know if the closed knuckle 44 was bent (for caster lol) or what but it had a good highway ride at 65-70 and it was stable up to 135 or so.

 

'64 4x4, straight axle, correct? If it's a straight axle they can set the castor with shims like they do on the 2wd straight axle trucks.

 

I think I'm going to try and get the motor and tranny set in, check the wear on all the front axle pieces and cruise it down the highway and see how she does, I have not been able to drive the truck yet, as there is no motor or brakes right now. If me or the wife hates it, we'll look at an axle swap I guess?

Got a line on a good used box for $250. Need to go back to the yard and move some junk so I can look it over real good, and do the same to the one on the truck.

The only really bad part about the box currently on the truck is the floor looks like it's had 50 gallon barrels dropped on it, anyone replaced just the main section of the floor? Can't find any reproduction bed parts for the ******* 57-60 bed, but wondering if some other floor will fit?