where to buy the kingpin kit?

[dotcentral]

Do the local chains stock these, are do they have to order them?

[FORDification]

My local small-town parts store had them in stock, which makes sense onsidering the range these cover, and especially that I'm in a rural area of Ford country. Cost me right at $50 for the whole kit.

[dotcentral]

Keith, are they a one size fits all, or fairly specific for the year of the I-beam/spindle combo? I think there are diff. between F100/150 & heavier 250's, diff years maybe have diff kits as well?

Thanks.

[FORDification]

There are several different sizes....as long as you tell the counterman your year and model they should be able to fix you up. Here's a chart showing the different variations:

http://www.fordification.com/discbrakes01.htm

[mrung0wa]

I've heard that your local bowling alley has a wide selection of kingpins.

But I've never had a chance to check it out...

Lawrence

[Chasbod]

and a wide assortment of knuckleheads too!!

[mrung0wa]

Cool, cause I could go for a couple of sixpacks!

Lawrence

[dotcentral]

This is what I found in my area (NC)
NAPA: has to order
Advanced: order
Autozone: don't carry
Pep Boys: Don't carry

Guess I'll need to also buy/order axle pivot bushings, radius arm bushings, flexible brake lines.

[mrung0wa]

Don't forget to pick up those "neato" shoes at the pro shop!

Lawrence

[flyboy2610]

Go get 'em from Dennis Carpenter. They're in Concord, NC out by Lowes Motor Speedway. 4140 Concord Pkwy South. 704-786-8139
About $35 for the kit.

[dotcentral]

Carpenter's and NPD only have the metal bushing spindle kits. I know people here seem to prefer metal, but a few of the guys in my area with twin I-beam trucks have been running the nylon bushings for years with no problems.

Didn't Ford themselves switch to nylon at some point?

[mrung0wa]

Yeah, they did because the wooden ones kept catching on fire due to the friction.

Lawrence

[flyboy2610]

Carpenter's and NPD only have the metal bushing spindle kits. I know people here seem to prefer metal, but a few of the guys in my area with twin I-beam trucks have been running the nylon bushings for years with no problems.

Didn't Ford themselves switch to nylon at some point?

Oh. My mistake. I thought you wanted the good ones.

[FORDification]

No, I don't think the factory ever used those nylon kingpin bushings...at least not that I'm aware of.

[dotcentral]

Well, sometimes we have to compromise I guess. The metal bushings would have been better. But finding a place that I'd trust to put them in, missing work to drop them off, etc. I figure I'll try these out, if I ever need to replace them I'll go for metal then.