Gary Lewis Posted February 8, 2022 Share Posted February 8, 2022 You nailed it that is where I was getting lost in the posts. Personally, 4wd F250's are a poor choice. I have one, but have modified it - a bit - to get a better ride. In fact, all but the '86 F350's 4wd trucks are in the same boat. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
85lebaront2 Posted February 11, 2022 Share Posted February 11, 2022 Personally, 4wd F250's are a poor choice. I have one, but have modified it - a bit - to get a better ride. In fact, all but the '86 F350's 4wd trucks are in the same boat. Darth was sitting a little low in front, local shop wanted to put spacers in even though the camber was well within spec (FWIW, the alignment measuring procedure for these trucks is rather involved when done correctly). Caster was also good. I had a front and rear sway bar set from a 1990 HD F250 I wanted to install, but had not been able to get the brackets off before the truck was scrapped. I was able the get the correct brackets from Green Sales (NOS parts) and install them. I had some much better condition spring rubbers to put on also. After all that, I went back to the local shop and surprise, the camber and caster were dead in the middle on the tolerance, only thing needed was a toe in adjustment. Darth's last full alignment was not long after I bought him, probably summer of 1994. A shop in Gloucester County VA that actually has the equipment to bend the axle beams did the job, front tires still wear dead even. It helps that a 1986 F350 2WD has king pins rather than ball joints and they get greased regularly. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gary Lewis Posted February 11, 2022 Share Posted February 11, 2022 Darth was sitting a little low in front, local shop wanted to put spacers in even though the camber was well within spec (FWIW, the alignment measuring procedure for these trucks is rather involved when done correctly). Caster was also good. I had a front and rear sway bar set from a 1990 HD F250 I wanted to install, but had not been able to get the brackets off before the truck was scrapped. I was able the get the correct brackets from Green Sales (NOS parts) and install them. I had some much better condition spring rubbers to put on also. After all that, I went back to the local shop and surprise, the camber and caster were dead in the middle on the tolerance, only thing needed was a toe in adjustment. Darth's last full alignment was not long after I bought him, probably summer of 1994. A shop in Gloucester County VA that actually has the equipment to bend the axle beams did the job, front tires still wear dead even. It helps that a 1986 F350 2WD has king pins rather than ball joints and they get greased regularly. Good endorsement of king pins, Bill. But did the sway bars change the ride any? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
85lebaront2 Posted February 11, 2022 Share Posted February 11, 2022 Good endorsement of king pins, Bill. But did the sway bars change the ride any? Not the ride, but the handling, front seems to stay planted better on corners, particularly sweeping curves. Fellow who inspects my vehicles is of the opinion they will outlast both of us (Kerry is probably in his 60s). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gary Lewis Posted February 11, 2022 Share Posted February 11, 2022 Not the ride, but the handling, front seems to stay planted better on corners, particularly sweeping curves. Fellow who inspects my vehicles is of the opinion they will outlast both of us (Kerry is probably in his 60s). Thanks. May install mine and see what it does - after the EFI. But will surely want to remove a link for off-roading. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
85lebaront2 Posted February 11, 2022 Share Posted February 11, 2022 Thanks. May install mine and see what it does - after the EFI. But will surely want to remove a link for off-roading. I wonder if the new Bronco sway bar disconnect could be adapted? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gary Lewis Posted February 11, 2022 Share Posted February 11, 2022 I wonder if the new Bronco sway bar disconnect could be adapted? Maybe. But that's a bridge I'll approach later. I'm not even sure the sway bars will help so I'm not sure I want to worry about a disconnect. Having said that, I was reading an article today where they were testing new full-sized trucks for overlanding and they said one of the trucks they tested badly needed the sway bar disconnect feature. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
85lebaront2 Posted February 12, 2022 Share Posted February 12, 2022 I wonder if the new Bronco sway bar disconnect could be adapted? Maybe. But that's a bridge I'll approach later. I'm not even sure the sway bars will help so I'm not sure I want to worry about a disconnect. Having said that, I was reading an article today where they were testing new full-sized trucks for overlanding and they said one of the trucks they tested badly needed the sway bar disconnect feature. I am not surprised the sway bar is not real great off road, you need all the unrestricted suspension motion possible. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gary Lewis Posted February 12, 2022 Share Posted February 12, 2022 I am not surprised the sway bar is not real great off road, you need all the unrestricted suspension motion possible. Yes, and since BB drives pretty good w/o the sway bars I'm not sure I even want to try him with. We sure used the flexibility the system has w/o them in Colorado. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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