leveling a heidts crossmember, 54 F100
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Junior User
Joined: Nov 2007
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From: Hughson
leveling a heidts crossmember, 54 F100
ive got the entire heidts crossmember and suspension kit for my 54 f100. Ive got the boxing plates welded in and the frame leveled side to side and about a 2 degree rake towards the front end
My problem is the Heidts instructions say to just use a floor jack to raise the crossmember tight against the frame and then weld it in...but if I did that the crossmember wouldn't be level front to back
Ive got it tacked in place now and it seems like the front of the crossmember is higher than the back part of the crossmember
should I drop the crossmember down in the front so its level front to back? or is this how Heidts designed as part of the anti-dive system? I Know that the top hats on the top of the frame have a "lean" to them but have always read and heard the the crossmember and lower control arm mounts should be parallel and level with the ground at ride height.
Any help is greatly appreciated...thanks alot
My problem is the Heidts instructions say to just use a floor jack to raise the crossmember tight against the frame and then weld it in...but if I did that the crossmember wouldn't be level front to back
Ive got it tacked in place now and it seems like the front of the crossmember is higher than the back part of the crossmember
should I drop the crossmember down in the front so its level front to back? or is this how Heidts designed as part of the anti-dive system? I Know that the top hats on the top of the frame have a "lean" to them but have always read and heard the the crossmember and lower control arm mounts should be parallel and level with the ground at ride height.
Any help is greatly appreciated...thanks alot
Hotshot
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 15,882
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From: Durham NC
I'd suggest calling the source, Heidt's, and asking them this question for a definitive answer rather than asking for an "opinion" on here (since none of us are the designers). I could guess but won't since it's too critical.
The admonitions on here that the lower control arms should be level and parallel with the ground at ride height is in reference to the side to side direction (i.e. looking at the suspension from the front) not to tilt in the front to back direction.
The admonitions on here that the lower control arms should be level and parallel with the ground at ride height is in reference to the side to side direction (i.e. looking at the suspension from the front) not to tilt in the front to back direction.
Junior User
Joined: Aug 2005
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I have that set-up on my `56 and it's parallel to the ground rather than following the rake of the frame. The "A-arm" mounts are therefore higher to the frame in the front than they are toward the back.
I've got no problems with ride or function, though I jobbed out the frame and mostly assume it was done to design.
Cheers... Brian
I've got no problems with ride or function, though I jobbed out the frame and mostly assume it was done to design.
Cheers... Brian
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From: Hughson
it looks to be about 1/8" would need to be trimmed off the bottom of the crossmember in order for the crossmember to be parallel with the ground
and I did get a reply from heidts saying that The crossmember should be level with the ground not with the frame
and I did get a reply from heidts saying that The crossmember should be level with the ground not with the frame
Elder User
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 553
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From: MN - NW of Twin Cities
My guess is that the Heidts kit is designed around a rake of 3 degrees whereas you have set it up at 2 degrees. I would make the crossmember level with the ground with your frame at rake you want to end up with. That last part is the key. What you want it to be at and what the result is with the components you install could be two different things. You may have to make some changes down the road to get it back to your design rake.
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Junior User
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From: Hughson
so even if the frame was set dead level front to back and side to side the crossmember would still need to be level with the ground correct?
I think im just going to have to trim an 1/8th inch off the crossmember and set it in there level
I think im just going to have to trim an 1/8th inch off the crossmember and set it in there level
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