1968 Ford F100 center link hitting radius arm

[Dynomite99]

Steering box drops in relation to the tire as weight is added so the rods would drop in the opening. The different swing length between the I beams and tie rods adds to it as well.

I'm crossing my fingers and banking on this!

Kevin

[Ranchero50]

So i've re-read the disk brake conversion article as well as the section on steering linkage differences. I went out and double checked my setup. I have the later style pitman arm as well as the later style steering linkage. The only items up front original to the '68 are the radius arms. Unless the radius arms are MUCH bigger on the '73-'79, i'm down to waiting to get the weight of the motor in there to see if that corrects things.

Kevin

Didn't most of the dentsides use bent metal plate radius rods versus castings like ours?

[sargentrs]

A little Googling this morning says the stamped steel started in '75. P/N D5TZ-3A360-A

[Dynomite99]

From my own research and Googling, I cannot find anything that mentions dimensional differences between radius arms but the material used does change over the years

radiusarm2.png

[Ranchero50]

Pity it's so difficult to free the springs or I'd suggest pulling them and using a jack under the cross member to manipulate the suspension. You'd find out a good bit quickly if you could get them out (which is a solid PITA).

[DuckRyder]

Put a 4 inch block just inside the bump stop as per the alignment article and use a ratchet strap to crank it down...

Side conversation, I love how they freely post our (Keiths) pictures on FTE...