Front End Alignment Adjustment Points?

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Front End Alignment Adjustment Points?

Quarterwave
Can anyone show me where I can find the front end alignment areas on an 85 bullnose F150?

My truck has a 6" lift and I've taken it to two shops that were supposed to be "truck" shops to get it aligned and it's still messed up.

Thanks.
1985 Ford F150, 2WD.
351 H.O Windsor, aluminum heads
Cam: Lift = .496''/.520'' Duration @ .050: 224°/234°
C6 Transmission
6" Rough Country Lift
33x12.5x15 BF Goodrich All-Terrains
15x10" Pro Comp Rims
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Re: Front End Alignment Adjustment Points?

Rembrant
Quarterwave wrote
Can anyone show me where I can find the front end alignment areas on an 85 bullnose F150?

My truck has a 6" lift and I've taken it to two shops that were supposed to be "truck" shops to get it aligned and it's still messed up.

Thanks.
The truck is 2wd though, correct?

I'm not sure what comes into play with the lift kit, but with an '85 2wd, the main alignment adjustments are made via adjustable bushings that the upper balljoints are mounted in. I'm assuming that is where the problem is, and not the toe-in...

Did that lift include new radius arms as well?
1994 F150 4x2 Flareside. 5.0 w/MAF, 4R70W, stock.
1984 F150 4X2 Flareside. Mild 302 w/ 5spd. Sold.
1980 F150 4X4 Flareside. 300i6 w/ 5spd. Sold in 2021.
1980 F100 4X2 Flareside. 351w/2bbl w/NP435. Sold in 1995

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Re: Front End Alignment Adjustment Points?

85lebaront2
Administrator
In reply to this post by Quarterwave
Do you have king pins or ball joints? Ball joints can be aligned using offset bushings, king pins require the axle to be bent to adjust and very few places even when these trucks were new could do this, toe-in is easy on either system. FWIW, Darth was last given a full alignment in 1994, not long after I bought him, current front tires have been on since Dec 2014 and (a) still have plenty of tread left and (b) are worn perfectly even across the tread.
Bill AKA "LOBO" Profile

"Getting old is inevitable, growing up is optional" Darth Vader 1986 F350 460 converted to MAF/SEFI, E4OD 12X3 1/2 rear brakes, traction loc 3:55 gear, 160 amp 3G alternator Wife's 2011 Flex Limited Daily Driver 2009 Flex Limited with factory tow package Project car 1986 Chrysler LeBaron convertible 2.2L Turbo II, modified A413

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Re: Front End Alignment Adjustment Points?

ArdWrknTrk
Administrator
In reply to this post by Quarterwave
Ask Bill Vose about having the beams bent if you really want to get it to where bushings can help.

That is going to take an OLD school alignment shop.
Find the oldest crankiest sob you can and pay him well for making it right.

 Jim,
Lil'Red is a '87 F250 HD, 4.10's, 1356 4x4, Zf-5, 3G, PMGR, Saginaw PS, desmogged with a Holley 80508 and Performer intake.
Too much other stuff to mention.
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Re: Front End Alignment Adjustment Points?

ArdWrknTrk
Administrator
In reply to this post by 85lebaront2
Of course, you were right there while I was in the reply window.....  
 Jim,
Lil'Red is a '87 F250 HD, 4.10's, 1356 4x4, Zf-5, 3G, PMGR, Saginaw PS, desmogged with a Holley 80508 and Performer intake.
Too much other stuff to mention.
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Re: Front End Alignment Adjustment Points?

Quarterwave
Thanks everyone.

It's a 2WD, ball joint setup that I have installed a Federal Mogul caster/camber kit that gives an extra 2 1/4 degrees of adjustment over the factory clearances - which is what the company that made the lift kit recommended. It did NOT come with new radius arms.

I'd like to fix the camber first then sort out the toe-in, but the latter is not so bad.

Can I do this with the truck not on a jack/lift?
1985 Ford F150, 2WD.
351 H.O Windsor, aluminum heads
Cam: Lift = .496''/.520'' Duration @ .050: 224°/234°
C6 Transmission
6" Rough Country Lift
33x12.5x15 BF Goodrich All-Terrains
15x10" Pro Comp Rims
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Re: Front End Alignment Adjustment Points?

Quarterwave
In reply to this post by ArdWrknTrk
Funny that you mention bending the beams - my transmission guy said the same thing!

Agree on finding an old school shop - hard to find in South Florida unfortunately, but I have a lead on an apparently good Ford-only mechanic that is a muscle car specialist, so he may be able to help.
1985 Ford F150, 2WD.
351 H.O Windsor, aluminum heads
Cam: Lift = .496''/.520'' Duration @ .050: 224°/234°
C6 Transmission
6" Rough Country Lift
33x12.5x15 BF Goodrich All-Terrains
15x10" Pro Comp Rims
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Re: Front End Alignment Adjustment Points?

salans7
The problem with lifting a 2wd I beam truck is the same as lifting a 4wd TTB truck. It's pretty rare for the drop brackets to correctly match the lift that the springs provide, so alignment issues like camber are very common. If you can't get the alignment in spec with the camber eccentrics, about your only option is gonna be to manipulate the beams.
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Re: Front End Alignment Adjustment Points?

Steve83
Banned User
In reply to this post by Quarterwave
Post several well-lit pics of your front suspension, ball joints, & steering linkage.
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Re: Front End Alignment Adjustment Points?

Quarterwave
Ok, will do. I won't get a chance to take pics until the weekend as I get home pretty late, but appreciate the help in advance!
1985 Ford F150, 2WD.
351 H.O Windsor, aluminum heads
Cam: Lift = .496''/.520'' Duration @ .050: 224°/234°
C6 Transmission
6" Rough Country Lift
33x12.5x15 BF Goodrich All-Terrains
15x10" Pro Comp Rims