Seth, nice to see you got a start on the truck! Keep the progress and pics coming! Looking good so far!

 

 

I am currently in the process of partitioning off my shop and spray insulating it so I am working in my little block building shop. I need to move my air compressor in the little shop so I can use my air tools (AIR HAMMER!). Spring bolts and bushings are going to be fun to get out of the perches. Here is a pic showing how far I am moving the axle forward.

 

Found some old pics from about 5-6 years ago on the net of my 1970 F-250 that I am getting the running gear from...

RIP

Somewhat stuck....

 

If there is no interest in this build I will quit posting...Let me know!! Thanks guys.

 

I'm interested also. Its only been one day since you started this thread, be patient.

 

Man that picture of it on the trailer is OLD school! I wanna see the build thread!

 

I am definately interested! I have a '78 F150 I'm building.

 

Plenty of interest here keep the pics and posts coming

 

Always intrested in something built out on the Rez

 

Wow how did you know I lived on the Rez...haha. Right in the middle of the pine ridge reservation.

 

Keep posting

I'm north of you 8 miles from the Standing Rock Rez nice to see a SD build!

 

Very intererested as have a F150 myself and thinking about putting tons under it instead of swapping the body from it onto my F350 4x.
Body swap would be easier for me, but still curious, so subscribed.

 

Well I got a parts pickup for this project. The original parts pickup with 10.25 is still covered in snow at the dude's house and I am impatient so... This was my dads pickup that I bought from him. It is a 1989 F-350,body is trashed, 7.3 banks turbo,ZF 5-speed, 60 front, 10.25 rear. I am going to use the 10.25 rear for the 79. Rebuild the 7.3 and install it in the 4 door 86 that is in this picture. I will also install the 5 speed that is behind it. Not sure what I will do with the 60 front yet, maybe sell it. More pics when I make some progress and have the time.

 

Let me know if your gonna sell the 60 front outta that truck I may need it for one of my projects.

 

I got the rear axle out of the donor pickup as well as the springs and front hangers. Here is a picture of my springs and shackle flip. How does the angle look? I will be installing a dovetailed flatbed (stealing your idea "notgonnamakeit":homer, fuel cell and maybe a toolbox. My main concern is the springs might invert when I jump/flex it out too much. I will probably end up building/buying beefier shackles. What do you guys think?

 

I could use some input guys!!Thanks.

 

I'm new and learning, but I'll try to help. Is the truck sitting on the leaf springs in the photo? its hard to tell. The shackle angle looks a little steep, but it all depends on how much weight it will have on it when done.

Please dont stop the thread, I also have a 78 f150 and am looking forward to watching this build.

 

You might want to drop the front of the leaf spring hanger a few inches down to level out the spring a lil bit more. When I had my truck shackle flipped it would invert itself and i'd have to get a pry bar out to get it back in place. When I dropped the front of my leaf spring it seemed to cure that problem.

You might not want to drill any more holes till you get weight on it to see what your shackle angle will be with "running" weight on it.

Other than that, looking good!

 

There is no weight on the spings at all. The picture kind of makes it look like there is weight on the springs but there isn't. Still think I should move it? I am thinking once all the weight is on it should be about right. I will post another pic when I get the axle under it and frame/truck weight on it....

 

I would drop the front of the leaf down a few inches to level the spring out so it won't be fighting itself (if that makes sense).

I did some fancy artwork to show what I mean...:smokin:

 

Thanks for the input Grant. The pic is at a goofy angle, I will look tomorrow to see how far off level the spring eyes are. Will it really matter if they aren't level other than the fact that the pinion/driveshaft angles may be off some? Only thing I am really concerned with is the possibility of inverting the shackle.

 

My '67 was at more of an angle than that, and it increased my pinion angle enough to where I snapped U-joints on demand. Once I lowered it, my u-joint snapping went away.

We'll see what some of the more experienced guys have to say about this matter. I know I got ALOT smoother ride after I leveled mine out as well.

My springs setup very simliar to that I could invert by bouncing on my rear bumper and lock up the rear springs.

 

Do you think it will give me enough of an angle when i put the weight on the axle? I would guesstimate about 400lb plus the weight of the frame/truck. Remember this will be offroad only. I stood on top of the springs and jumped up and down and it never tried to invert.....but I'm only about 165 lbs

 

Lookin' good! Gotta love the best year for the trucks and I also love that dash too.

Adrianspeeder

 

Sounds like you need my fatass to come bounce on that for ya then! hahaha

Any progress today?

 

I took a 4 ft level and rested it on the front spring eye bolt. I would say the rear of the spring hangs maybe 2 inches below level from the front...I think I am going to run it like this and if I need to change it I will. I need to get it rolling so that I can get it to the other shop where the welder is.

 

Once there is weight on the ass end of the truck and it's strapped to the axle it should settle 2" and be just about perfect. I'd run it, even 3/4-1 off is workable...

Keep up the good work :beer: