70 I beam help

[erics70]

I have used this site a lot for reference over the past year. I have got a 70 F100 swb that I have been restoring for my dad for over a year. My brother and I replaced the factory I beams with the I beams and spindles from a 75. I had the king pins replaced by machine shop before installing. When I installed them they had a slight curve to them(I assumed that was how they were supposed to be). Now the pass side I beam is hitting the bolt head for the drivers side i beam(perch) The alignment shop says that the i beams are bent. Haven't heard of this before and when I look at other I beams they seem to have a bend to them. Do I get more i beams or is somethng else wrong here?

[fordman]

they should have a slight bend backwards not forwards. it could be that you have them on the wrong sides. maybe the chart on this page has the i beam numbers on it and you can tell from the numbers which ones go on which side. http://www.fordification.com/tech/str-s ... ations.htm

[erics70]

Yes they bend from front to back. I also moved the rear mounting shackles up to top of frame on front shackle, and just enough so the leaf spring end doesn't hit bed in the back(maybe 1 1/2"). I also cut one round out of the front springs. It seems that the longer the ibeams have been on the truck, the worse they have got. I replaced all the bushings, it has new shocks, and has a 302 and aod trans from 92 mustang.

[fordman]

one other way to tel if they are on the wrong isde. is if the part numbers are facing backwards instead of forwards. i took these pictures to show which way the bolts go in. but i think you have them in there the right way . by the way you said the head of the bolt was hitting the i beam.

[erics70]

Is this something that happens often to the i beams? I figured it didn't happen unless you hit something. It seems they all have a little curve to them. Just concerned about having to go through the hassle of locating some more and going through the same stuff. I do have a 71 that i could get the i beams off of, I guess that would work with 75 spindles?

[fordman]

i have only ever seen one i beam that was bent. i have heard of others getting i beams bent in a wreck. the ibeam you use must match the kingpin for the spindles you are going to use.

[erics70]

so i cant use the i beams from the 71? I would have to verify the i beams on it are from a 75 because i just got the front clip when i got them.

[fordman]

check what you have against the chart about half way down this page. http://www.fordification.com/tech/Ibeamsspindles.htm