no they dont hit the leaf springs.

Im running 17/40-16.5 on 16.5x14 3.5" back spacing

 

You are going to need spacers with anything 38" and up with the superduty front axle. Perch width is just so wide.

 

i would like to have spacers but i have enough room to get around town without hitting so they have been put on hold unless i find some for cheap

 

didnt think about it last night when i commented.

my tires are 40's they only measure to 37.5" by tape. cause they are stretched out on 14" wide wheels.

ill have to take some measurements and see what my clearances are.

 

http://shop.farmboyfabrications.com/...acket-kit.html

This system features our heavy-duty front spring hanger brackets with extended length shackles. We have put in the time and research into this design to insure the proper caster angle every time without the need of spring shims, this allows for the ideal return to center geometry for the best handling characteristics possible. This system will provide a front end ride height increase of 4.5" in combination with the factory springs mentioned. Any advertised lift spring height will add to the height gained from our kits. An 8” front spring with the 4.5” SAS bracket kit will net roughly 12.5” in suspension height increase over factory. We recommend no less than a 2” leaf spring be used with this kit to allow clearance of the front differential. 6.5” kits are available for use with stock springs. Kit is NOT a complete kit to convert your IFS truck over to a solid axle. By installing this product, you assume the risks resulting from the use of the system, and assume the responsibility of the integrity or failure of any component resulting in property damage, injury, or fatality. For off-road use only.


Farmboy Fabrications SAS kit 97-03 F150

really great price.

 

Guys i hate to say it. Truck hasnt been on the road for more than a month. Im running into problems that i was really hoping to avoid.

My front Dodge D60 has UNIT bearings, these are HORRIBLE for big tire applications. I believe they offer a conversion to convert them to a different style aswell as manual hubs. But if i remeber correctly its up there in price 1k or 1.5k.

I believe i blew the driver side bearing AGAIN, so going on the 3rd one. NOT GOOD at $200+ each. I wont know till tomorrow when i have time to tear into it what exactly the issue is.

Really fed up with this dodge axle, deal or no deal the thing is causing too many problems. If its no bearings then its steering if its no steering then its the low pinion not alowing me room for a front d-shaft.

possible solutions:

1. Fix whatever i just broke (this is a given and WILL happen)

2. Buy an OLD Ford D60 8x6.5 bolt pattern and switch it out with the dodge d60. But for a Ford D60 your lookin at $1,200 for just the front and it wont be setup the way it needs to be. So kinda not likin this route.

3. Sell the wheels, tires, axles, and go a totally different route. Pick up a set of Rockwell 2.5 ton axles, get a set of 44's or bigger on rockwell pattern wheels. and bolt them in. This will overall be the best solution since its going to be solving a problem and GREATLY increasing strength. Rockwells for front and rear are gonna run about $1,500 Debraking them and adding wheel brakes will be another $500-600. So $2,100 total for 4 disc brake 2.5 ton axles. Not bad. The gearing is 6.72:1 so gonna HAVE to run 44's and would really need to run 49-54's just to keep the RPMS in respectful levels.

4. sell the truck, which isnt an option. I dont and will never dump my problems onto someone else.

So its lookin like its going 2.5 TON's

 

Yea, If I ever do a project like this (And I will once I'm out of school)...I'm definitely going to go with some SuperDuty Axles or just straight up 2.5 tons...hey, you never know...If I'm feelin really frisky I might go find some 5 tons and some monster cleats...haha, but hey, thats a ways off

Definitely going to love seeing the rock's go under this truck, and I know gearing is your main issue for turning ones tires, but do you think the 4.2 will hold up to the strain? (Actually, prolly more worried about the transmission)..think it will be ok till the diesel goes in?

 

That **** is gonna get heavy. 900 pounds per axle right? I think the rear axle should be easier to get since so many people love to take M2A35s and bob them to make it a 4wd vehicle and not 10 wheels. BUUTTTT, if you are going it, why not may it way more complicated than necessary and get rear steer too, you short wheelbase could do a u-turn on a 2 lane road? lol I dunno man, how hard is FDOT on running pinion brakes? are 4 wheels necessary? When is all this going to take place? (you're already behind, lol)

 

4.2L could blow any time now. Really doesnt appreciate the strain im adding to it. Ive found a used 5.4L checkin on the price now. Ive also found 2 7.3L with 4r100 for 600 for everything so thats a possibilty. Right now im just looking for something incase motor dies. My focus is still on a Cummins but that might not happen.

I cant find a single law that specifically states Pinion Brakes are illegal, all i can find is that you must have 4 brakes one at each wheel. So i really dont think they are gonna mess with me too much if i did run Pinion brakes. Plus FDOT is rare that you run up on one unless you go though a scale house. Only scale house i pass is on i-4 and i can get around that fairly easy.

4 wheel brakes help, but pinion brakes will stop a truck perfectly fine. Get more life out of wheel brakes. Im not really diggin the idea for rear wheel steer. Too much headache.

still weighing out the options. Made a few calls today on parts and no answers, Will know more in the next month or so.

Project wont start for atleast a month unless i get unrepairable damage to an axle. But maybe i can get these axles sooner and start prepping them for mounting. I need to find tires and wheels aswell.

 

Hey trim are you using the farmboy fab kit or is yours custom?

 

I dont know if any of you read MudTruck Magazine, but in this months issue, they have the front cover with a F350 with the 7.3L that has 5 ton rock's under it...thing is a beast!!! Go check it out if you can!! Could possibly provide some insight into all this!

 

negative, mines custom. I really wished i got his kit and i WILL be buying parts from him soon. His kit makes it SOOOO much easier.

Ill have to check it out. Only mag ive been reading lately is Mudlife but thats even seldom now.

 

Maybe it is Mudlife...hmm, I know that I've only ever seen AdvancedAuto sell it. But thats who has the article..best thing about is everything inside the truck is completely stock! And with the diesel he can still run the A/C with no problems!

 

i bet it is Mudlife i think i remeber seeing it on the cover

 

cecil, i think theres a guy on either pirate or mud that sells rockwells for a pretty fair price. check there for some axels.

i looked at some 4bt's a while back, those buggers are expensive.