Well, the spindles are on. It wasn't too time consuming though. 2 hours on the front and about 4 hours on the rear. Thats one heavy duty spindle. About twice the weight of the stock unit.

I had concerns about the new spindles though. I didn't know that the stock disc brake shields would not attach. The front track also seems wider. Wide enough to cause tire contact with my 275s and the plastic thing under the bumper. Wasn't too pleased with the somewhat universal mounting of the ABS sensor either. Oh well, on to the rear. The 2 inch blocks would not fit. The blocks came with a 9/16 locating pin and hole, but the truck is equiped with a 5/8 pin and hole. This required a trip to the local machine shop to drill and install new pins in the blocks.

On the positive side, since the rear axle was hanging, I had the opportunity to reinstall my rear swaybar. I had the attaching blocks inside the shock mounts, for an over the axle setup. Now I moved them to the outside of the shock mounts (6 inches on each side), and relocated the frame mounting brackets for much smoother operation.

In the end, I think that if I had known of the shortcomings it may have influenced my decision to buy this kit. On the test drive, when I encountered tire to valiance contact it scared the crap outta me. The swaybar relocation enhances the handling much more than the 3 inch lift takes away from it.

Bottom line; pleased but not impressed.

* I have lotsa pics, but don't know how to post them...
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Terry Deaton
99 F150 XLT, 2WD, 4.6, S/C, S/B, Superchip, K&N FIPK, FMS 9mm, +4s, Nerfs, Leer Top, Cow Catcher W/Bright A$$ Lights, True Duals with hi flow cats, 275 Dunlops with 3.08 gears, fat swaybars, Steeda front and Hellwig rear, Fabtech spindles with 2 inch blocks. C0oming soon: Shift improvement kit and 4.10s.
96 SVT COBRA
98 AERO
Speed Kills, drive a Chevy and live forever.



[This message has been edited by TREADMARKS (edited 10-15-2000).]

 

Treadmarks,

I am just minutes away from changing my old bullseye spindles to new fabtech spindles, so I know that spindles are relatively simple to install compared to other types of lifts. 2 hours up front is excellent time.

The reason the ABS sensor hole is universal, is because from the 97 F150 on, the ABS sensor changed at least once on the positioning of the mounting hole. In fact, with my current bullseye spindles on my 99', I bought 97 sensors so that they would fit perfectly without "oblonging" the hole of my 99 sensors per bullseye recommendations. I figure with the ABS system, I didn't want a compromise.


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99 F150 XLT SC 2WD, Fabtech Suspension, Bullseye Spindles, 3" body lift, Centerlines with 35" BFG Mud Terrains.

 

aren't the fabtech and the bullseye spindles the same anyway...except that fabtechs are powder coated? The whole instalation was only six hours?And why was it so long to do the rear as opposed to the front. Would you guys recomend a shop doing the install or a few buddies to do it? You gotta go learn about the UBB code for pictures i think. And you hafta have the pictures on the web somewhere then it recalls them in the message

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Things to come: coil spacers, 4.10 gears, Grill
ilmagill@aol.com

 

DAVENSA and ilmagill,

Bullseye spindles and Fabtech spindles are not the same. Bullseye Industries made the spindles I bought two years ago. It requires removing the lower ball joint and installing a different ball joint pointing upward. It was later discovered(about a year or more ago) that this configuration was too stressful to the lower ball joint and as far as I know, Bullseye no longer makes spindles for F150's. In fact, a little over a year ago, I received a registered letter from Off Road Warehouse indicating that there was a recall on the lower ball joints. Since I did the work myself, ORW gave me new Moog brand ball joints to replace the ones I had, which I did. Since I was concerned about this ball joint problem, I figured one day I would replace them with Fabtech spindles, and reinstall the factory ball joints. I couldn't have done this any sooner. When I removed the righthand bullseye spindle, the lower ball joint FELL OUT! This thing is supposed to be pressed in! This just proves that there was indeed a lot of stress on the ball joint.

On the bright side, I install the Fabtech spindles this morning with the factory ball joints in the original orientation, which have the Fabtech name and part number cast on each spindle, but are not powder coated, at least not mine. I also replaced my upper control arm(Fabtech) bushings, because they were worn out(just two years). I measured my vehicle height with Bullseye spindles then with Fabtech spindles. I actually gained a true 1 inch of lift. So either bullseye was a little short on the 3 inch lift or fabtech gave us a bit more, or both. Also, like TREADMARKS said, you gain about an inch of track on each side.

For those of you who have bullseye spindles with the upward pointing lower ball joint, you might want to consider replacing them, especially if you've stacked them with another lift.

Later............

[This message has been edited by G Patricio (edited 10-15-2000).]

 

Patricio -

Do you mean it's wider? An inch total or on both sides (so 2 inches total)? Sorry for the "green" question.

Thanks

 

Silverback,

Yes, I mean wider. I didn't measure before and after, but it is obviously wider visually. I have fender flares on my truck and with the new spindles, the tires extend past the flares now.

 

Paticio,
Why are you switching out spindles ? Dave

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1998 F-150, SC/Flairside,oxford white 4x2,4.6,auto,3.55s,nerf bars,cls 111 towing,bed liner w/mat,Eagle polished wheels 16x10 w/Yokahama Geolandars 315/75/16s,all plastics guards/bug shields,air raid/k & n filter, superchipped, duals out the back corners, flow master 3 chamber, snug top lid, f-150 online sticker back window-honk if you see me!!! Fabtech 3 1/2 lift,3" spindles, 3" body lift=9 1/2 inches of lift.coverking dash cover, Lumi Logo's (front and rear), clear front corner lenses, muth mirrors,dash mounted CB, (TX Chapter requirement,lol),personalized license plates, Superlift traction bars,Image tail light covers (painted).and it still fits in the garage, yeahhhhhh

San Antonio
DWESSELS89@AOL.COM

 

G Patricio,
I remember seeing a pic of your truck several months ago. It's a nice ride! Are you, or were you considering selling the Bullseye spindles? Are they (the Bullseye) still considered safe to re-install on another F-150? I have a 98 2WD w/ the 4.2 and have the itch to raise it again.

Pix here http://www.*********.com/darin/

Substitute f 1 5 0 w o r l d for *******

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1998 (50th anniversary series) Solid Pacific Green Metallic F-150 XLT Supercab, 4.2L, Automatic (4R70W), 2WD, Limited Slip, 8.8 axle, Tow Pkg, 6' bed, Rear slider

Accessories added:

Performance:
Superchip / 4.10 gears / K&N air filter / Outerwear’s pre-filter / Ravin Z-55 muffler signal 3" in, dual 2.25" out

Suspension:
Edelbrock IAS shocks / Hellwig rear sway bar

Other accessories "added":
Color keyed outer grill / Perfect-fit bra / Stull polished grills / (4) 3A Racing 55 watt driving lights / (2) **** Cepek 150 watt driving lights, all controlled by SPDT switches / Clear corners / Fiberglass hood / Chrome F-150 emblems w/ side indicator markers / Trenz billet antenna / Power mirrors / Custom painted mirror housings / Muth signal mirrors / Driver side grab handle / White face gauges / Lloyd custom colored and embroidered floor mats Husky floor liners / B-Quiet sound deadener / Carr side steps / 3" rear seat lift / Black Max soft tonneau cover / Black Max cargo cleats / 3" body lift / OEM Chrome differential cover / Smart Park 2000 / (2) Lighted Ford logos / (2) KC HiLight 55 watt back-up lights / Viper 550 alarm (remote start) / OEM fender flares / Lift lips / BFG AT's 265/75/16 tires / (Custom painted OEM air dam, antenna cover, tailgate handle, slotted taillight covers, all plastic covers under the hood, and stone guards) / 23 tooth speed-O gear.......

Stereo:
still building......

Boston ProSeries 6.5" / Competitor 10" Subwoofer / Stock head unit with 6 CD changer.

Contact me at;
lmaox10@hotmail.com

 

G Patricio,

Thanks for the poop on the ABS sensors, I'm sure that they will be fine.

ilmagill,

The spindles that I have are not powder coated. The actual installation was a breeze. The reason for the 4 hours on the rear is because the blocks I received from fabtech did not fit. My pins and holes are 5/8" and they sent me 9/16".

I didn't even need a ball joint seterator to remove the spindles, a simple rap with a hammer released both joints. I did use a tie rod tool for the rod ends tho.

silverback,

Yes, atleast an inch wider on each side. My stock rims and 275, were well under the fenders before. Now they stick out just a little. I think I can trim the valiance so that there is no interference.

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Terry Deaton
99 F150 XLT, 2WD, 4.6, S/C, S/B, Superchip, K&N FIPK, FMS 9mm, +4s, Nerfs, Leer Top, Cow Catcher W/Bright A$$ Lights, True Duals with hi flow cats, 275 Dunlops with 3.08 gears, fat swaybars, Steeda front and Hellwig rear, Fabtech spindles with 2 inch blocks. Coming soon: Shift improver kit and 4.10s.
96 SVT COBRA
98 AERO
Speed Kills, drive a Chevy and live forever.




[This message has been edited by TREADMARKS (edited 10-16-2000).]

 

I just got off the phone with Bullseye Industries. They told me that they no longer make the spindle that I have. But they do manufacture a new spindle which retains the original ball joints like Fabtech. For all we know they could be identical. But in any case I wanted to correct my earlier statement that they were not the same, as they appear to be now.

Later Guys

 

TREADMARKS, i have a question on the track issue. Do you have stock wheels? I was considering installing Fabtech spindles with 285's but I dont want to replace my stock wheels. Ive never heard of this before but most people seem to change to aftermarket wheels when lifting. hmmm...decisions, decisions. Also the V6 issue is holding me back but thats a whole other story. thanks in advance

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1997 F150 Reg. cab.,2wd, 4.2 V6, Stepside.

Mods so far: 265/75/16 Pirelli Scorpion ATs, Toolbox, CB Radio, Tint, K&N filter, Kenwood CD player, 2 Fosgate 10s.

 

brew1891,

Yup, the wheels are all stock. The track is wider, thats for sure. I knew the track was wider before I let the jack down. Don't get me wrong, I love the agressive look, I just hate the fact that the tires are touching the valaince. How much wider, Sheeeeeit I dunno. I didn't know there was going to be a difference, otherwise I would have measured to start with.


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Terry Deaton
99 F150 XLT, 2WD, 4.6, S/C, S/B, Superchip, K&N FIPK, FMS 9mm, +4s, Nerfs, Leer Top, Cow Catcher W/Bright A$$ Lights, True Duals with hi flow cats, 275 Dunlops with 3.08 gears, fat swaybars, Steeda front and Hellwig rear, Fabtech spindles with 2 inch blocks. Coming soon: Performance Shift Improver kit and 4.10LS.
96 SVT COBRA (almost stock)
98 AERO black w/lotsa chrome
Speed Kills, drive a Chevy and live forever.

 

Guys-
Thanks for the patience and again sorry about the newbiew questions. I am considering adding spindles to my truck and since I have 16x8 Baja rims and 305/70/16 tires the agressive look should be cool!. Um I saw Tread was talking about it hitting the valiances...wonder if I am gonna have the problem to?

 

I see that there are differing opinions on the spindles throughout this board. I would like to raise my '97 , but I don't know what would be the best thing to do. I am still pricing right now and I am wondering what is the total cost (hardware, time, etc.) that y'all put into the Fabtech lift. Thanks.

Nathan

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Fightin' Texas A&M class '02 ... WHOOP!