I have a 55 Ford F100 and I really need some help. I want to get a better suspension on it but i dont know what would work on it. Right now its like driving a rolling deathbed. Kinda scares the $hit outta me sometimes cause it swerves so much. Its not stock but has a 350 in it. I would appreciate any help or info I can get. And one more thing, any good shops near Newport,RI that do extensive work? If not nearby, any within the surrounding areas? Thanx again.
I'm using a Plymouth Volare front clip, on my 51 F-1 and love it. It was not exactly a breeze to modify the frame etc. but I hear you don't have to do that on a 55.
many options for a f-100 , check out this link: http://www.customclassictrucks.com/howto/72398/ if it is swerving around , there must be something very warn out , like maybe the steering box? maybe a simple rebuild is all you need ....the original suspension should be fine if it's in good shape
Yeah--you probably have multiple but rather simple problems. Loose bushings in springs and king pins, slop in tie rods, sagging springs allowing caster change, etc. You need to think about where you want to end up, how much money you have, and what work you can do yourself. If resources are limited, stock rebuild is relatively simple for either a beginner or someone with limited funds/access to fancy resources, can be learned easily bit by bit, and can be broken up into several fairly small/inexpensive projects attacking one problem at a time--it could be done, in fact, without taking the thing off the road for more than the duration of a weekend thrash. Complete changeover requires either serious skills and tools or money, and complete stop to using the truck for the duration. Totally different approaches.
If you can't (or won't) rebuild the steering box I have seen a late model toyota pickup box used to replace the stock ford box with little modification to the ford.
If you have bias ply tires on it change them to radials. There will be a world of difference. Little grooves or joint lines in the pavement will no longer make the front end jump side to side. I have a 51 F-1 panel and had the same experience you describe. To make it even better, put in an after market tie rod stabilizer, an easy bolt on job.
A local guy here has a 51 ford pu. He said that he is going to put an early dodge dakota front frame on it. Early dakota is five lug. Pretty close to the right width.
Grease - Start with the basics. Back when the truck was new, it handled okay - no need to go to a 'modern' suspension and steering if you're willing to spend a little time and effort on the one ya got. first off - make sure you have decent tire pressure. Low tire pressure can cause tons of probs - add some PSI and the car will track better. Start at max PSI and adjust for ride quality from there. After that - snug up yer steering box. There's a lash adjuster on the box - it's a bolt with no head and a jam nut to lock it in place. Set the wheels straight ahead loosen the jam nut, and run the lash adjuster down until a *slight* resistance is felt. From there, I back it off an eighth of a turn - but that's just me - and lock it down. Most old cars i've owned accept about a half to three-quarters of a turn on account of no one seems to know how to adjust a box. After that - make sure your wheel bearings are snug. Again - not too tight, get them to where resistance is felt tightening the castle nut, then back it off to where the cotter key will go thru the castle. Too tight will cook the bearings - don't ask me how I know that... From here - shox. If the shox are shot, the truck will wander to high heaven. Make sure you do fronts AND rears; it will make a difference. Once you've done all this background stuff, the wander should drop quite a bit. If not - then it's time to delve into idler arms, tire rod ends, and kingpins. Eastwood sells complete front end rebuild kits for about $300; it's not a hard job to do - just takes a little patience and a pickle. as for bias vs radials - old cars are supposed to run bias plys, IMHO. Radials just mask suspension/steering issues, and look kinda funny with the bulgies on the bottom - they ain't quite right!
You guys we're right. I started tinkerin and I saw that I need new kingpins. Anyone know where I can get em? I tried Jegs' and Summit but no joy...
A real parts store can get them. maybe moog still carries them, there is another line called whitestar, something to that effect, they still sell bushings and new pins. search the tech archive for how to replace them.
Closer to home would be C&G Ford in San Diego, Sacramento Vintage Ford, with everything at one place.
Our own HAMB member 'ElPolacko' can fix you right up. Here is the link: http://www.industrialchassisinc.com/ Pick up the phone!
Ditto on keeping it OG. I was lucky enough to have once owned a low milage 61 F100 and it drove and road like a creampuff. It was just like it came off the dealer floor with a six cyl and 3 on the tree so it weren't no fireball and I didn't expect it to corner like a 'Vette but it was a pure joy just to tool around in. I have a 62 F100 Uni that I'm building now and the straight axle stays
http://www.classicperform.com/Store/1948_64_Ford_Truck/K365N.htm 40.00 for this set 53-56 http://www.parts123.com/PartFrame.asp?ZTM=cadefffc&GHOME=www.dennis-carpenter.com&TITLE=Dennis_Carpenter_Ford_Products 40.00 from this place as well likely lots of places to get a kingpin set for one of them trucks
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