Ok.. I bought a lift kit for a 1985 F-150 assuming it would be the same for the 1989. Once I got it, I noticed the hub / knuckle brake assembly is different. Can I just bolt these up as is? Or can I / Should I pop these off the 1985 knuckles and onto my 1989 knuckles?

This is such a nice kit.. I would hate to think I gotta sell it before I can use it. Brand new shocks too.. I'm ready to go..







The I-Beams are custom bent so I wouldn't need drop spindles. Ford part numbers are differnt for the 2, so I dont know what to do. Ball joint numbers are the same too.

Any help is appreciated! Thanks!


If it wont work.. shoot me an offer for the kit.. because the wife will be pissed if it wont work..

 

Dont know for sure but I would think that it would bolt right up to knuckle. They did not change a whole lot in those years. Boyd

 

Well, at a glance, and a semi test fit idea of things.. they seem to be ok. But for some reason Ford has different part numbers for the I beams, knuckles, calipers, between the years of 85-86, vs 87-96.

What I have now on there is from the 85. The calipers are different, completely different. The knuckle is different (no pins but a bolt to hold the caliper) Ideally, I would like to maybe pop the ball joints out, slap my brakes that are on the truck now onto the i beams here, but I don't know if they will work / fit. The P/N's for the lower's are different on many different sites.

 

Ok.. well checking part numbers and stuff.. the only one I can find is the one on the spring.

http://www.fabtechmotorsports.com/pd...on%20Sheet.pdf

1980-1996 F-150 4" lift springs... ok I'm good there

http://www.fabtechmotorsports.com/pd...on%20Sheet.pdf

1987-1996 F-150 Custom Bent I beams

Says it should be installed with radius arm 406 and spring 128. But the spring says its for the 8" kit? Now i'm all confused.

I cant find 85-86 I beams.. So I can only assume that he used the newer style. ( my current p/n) for the core before they were bent. So now I'm thinking the difference is strictly the knuckle /caliper assembly. I don't know. Was kinda hoping someone on here would have bought that kit years ago and remembered.

 

Some more pics if these help..


1989 Knuckle / ball joints.. crusty..

 

The "custom bent" 1985 beams





Stock beams... 1989






Edit: Maybe I'm wrong.. but the only thing I see is the upper ball joint being different. If thats the only change, then I shouldn't have any problem using that then I wouldn't think. Brake rotors are the same pn, so I could swap those over, and be done. Or am I crazy?

 

Well I spent a few hours screwing around with the rear end of the truck. Found a gas leak in my rear tank while I was there, and let me tell you, it made heating up that rear brake line really fun! Had to get the torch out for about every bolt since the 3/4" impact wouldn't fit in there. But the rear is finished.. should be finishing up the front today.

One question I have now tho is on replacing that bushing in the end of the axle there. Axle pivot bushing the parts store called it. Should I press these in or put a block of wood against the end of it, and beat it in there?