The dreaded steering box crack has struck...

Made some little progress today. Sitting is killing this truck, rust on the body is starting to show more and more. Pretty soon it'll be time to start swapping panels.

Got under it and verified the crack on the outside of the rail has NOT spread past the square hole/relief in the frame behind the shock tower and has remained at the bottom. Woohoo!! Looks like come along and a good bead of weld should take care of that.

I have also saved a piece of a Fisher plow push plate that is bent to the angles of the frame made out of 1/4" plate that I'll be welding to the outside of the rail.

I was finally able to seperate the inner liner from the donor frame rail I cut out of one of my junk trucks also. What a chore that turned out to be. That's going to be fun cutting it out of my actual truck. Eventually I said to heck with it and just torched the welds and split the rail back with an air hammer and pry bar until it separated.  I did find the inner support brace was in good shape so I may make something to clone it but heavier duty. I have also been studying the shape of the frame liner itself and in finding that it'd only made of 3/16 steel I am trying to figure out where I can beef it up and also make some kind of support brace similar to what the Jeep guys use. The donor liner is in better shape than I anticipated thankfully.

Also started getting my leaf springs ready for the swap. I am hoping these F250 springs are worth 2" of lift over the stock F150 springs so I can finally remove one of the stacked blocks...either that or I'm going to find I need at least 4-5 inch blocks to keep the height. I think we will be ok though. I seem to remember F350s being taller with a 3 inch block and springs by themselves which is about where my F150 sits height wise with 5 inches and absolutely worn out springs. If anyone has any insight on heights please let me know so I only have to do this once. For reference, the springs I got are Dorman 43-695HD...6 pack with 1 overload for 7 total. Thanks :)

My F350 blocks are 4" and the original F250 blocks were 2".  I am running the 4" blocks with the Sky Offroad kit and the D60 and it leveled the truck out nicely - after I pulled 2 leaves out of the 7-leaf pack.  That gave me an acceptable ride.

On the frame stiffening, please give use pics and measurements for what you do.

Gary Lewis wrote

My F350 blocks are 4" and the original F250 blocks were 2".  I am running the 4" blocks with the Sky Offroad kit and the D60 and it leveled the truck out nicely - after I pulled 2 leaves out of the 7-leaf pack.  That gave me an acceptable ride.

On the frame stiffening, please give use pics and measurements for what you do.

I'm currently running a 3" with a 2" on top and a stud through them so they don't move. I'm trying to figure out if I should bump to a 4" block or if the springs will be enough. Finding a tapered 4" block seems to be kind of tough.



As far as the frame goes, I'm looking into it as I want this to be the last time I have to do it. I got a buddy helping me who has done this before so I'm interested in hearing what he's got to say.

A little clean up went a long way on the frame liner. Looks like the axle will clean up as well. Going to start tear down tomorrow on that.

Cleaned up, resealed the cover and pinion. Just need to get these pesky knuckles off and she will be almost ready for assembly. Pardon my mess I haven't had time to clean LOL

Progress!  

I am beyond ready to get back behind the wheel.