want to make a 69 era prerunner. suspension Q's...

[1971ford]

allrighty, so ive decided that i want to make a 69 era prerunner. meaning i want to make a prerunner out of my 69, but it will be very basic and not fully suspension customized. i think it would be awesome to have a classic desert racer

but im thinking that these guys were peeing out blood when they were done.
so heres what im asking,

is there a way to modify my suspension and Ibeams to absorb more, and to make the ride a little more comfortable without heavy modifications and fab work? i work at a welding shop, so alot can be done, but again, i want this truck to be a classic prerunner. not a updated 69 prerunner.

i would think the front end would be almost easy, with slight mods to the twin i beams and spring replacement for longer travel.

this is what im talkign about:



bottom pictures:


and what would i do about the rear

maybe im beating a dead horse:

[aramil]

i dont know what you would have to do, but it would be pretty awesome when its done...
i would keep the i-beam, extend the coil mounts so you could put bigger coils and some shocks with alot of travel and some remote reservoirs.

[1971ford]

im definetly keeping the twin I-beams, and extending the coil mounts doesnt sound to bad.
i just hope it doesnt get too expensive when it comes to remote resevoirs though, i might have to keep it simpler than that. i do have alot of money for this stuff, but not thousands to put into shocks.

[aramil]

i think i seen some remote reservoir shocks for like 80- 100 each, which is pretty expensive for shocks i think. if you cant afford those just find some shocks with a lot of trouble, make sure they are big shocks though, you dont want to bend one.

[averagef250]

I've never done the 1000, but I've tried pretty hard to duplicate it in a few beater old twin-I-beam Fords on unmaintained logging roads. I've hit the roof going through washouts at 60 MPH and the F-100 came out like nothing happened. The hippie girl riding next to me had to clean out her shorts though.

I don't think you have to do anything, it already is pre-runner status.

[1971ford]

thanks guys,
80-100 for resevoirs i CAN afford. easily.

and yes, i know the 69 is prerunner quality as it is and it could handle anything, but i would like to have a more fun ride with a little softer of shocks etc.

so the front end should be easy, what abou tthe rear end?

[aramil]

i dont think you have to worry about the rear too much, better shocks again and some softer leafs or somthing i dont know how you would get more travel out of the rear.

[marz68]

triangulated four link on soft coils would be great for the rear. The front I would extend the mounting points of the ibeams and the radius arms and get a pitman arm to compensate for the lift and do a dual shock setup.

[1971ford]

you sure know your suspension
ive been watching your project

i think a triangular 4-link rear would be too much though. alot more work and un-originality.

what do you think about softer springs and new or softened leaf springs?

[1971ford]

here are some Q's...

rear end...
1)can i "bend" me leaf springs for more arc and replace factory shocks with longer-travel ones? or is that just stupid?
2)if i cant bend the leafs, can i buy more acred leaf springs and replace the factory shocks with ones with more travel?
3)will a rear sway bar help or dis-help when raicing/daily driving?

front end...
1) can i scooch the upper coil mount up 5 in. or so and add in springs/shocks with longer travel and not change anything else?
2)will a front sway bar help or dis-help when racing/daily driving

here are some pics that may help you answer the q's..

[doctorcharles08]

Hey check out www.autofab.com they have alot of different stuff. I am doing the same for my 69

[FORDification]

Hey check out www.autofab.com they have alot of different stuff. I am doing the same for my 69

For the work you'll have invested, you'd be better off getting the Autofab kit.

3" lift kits - - - -5" lift kits

[1971ford]

man i would love to have that 5" lift
but the 5" is too much for me, and 3" doesnt seem like much for $750. so they got longer coils, bent the beams and added in an adjustable tie rod and thats $750?

is bending the beams anything we could do at the welding shop? there are about 5 HUGE press brakes at the shop...
is there a vehicle that i could get those coils from or somewhere where i could get those seperate?
and couldnt i use my tierod?

[marz68]

if you only add longer springs in the front your going to create positive camber this will eat the out side of your tire. You can have a shop bend your ibeams to correct the positive camber that longer springs will produce,this can give you up to 3" of lift.
The rear you should be able to get more lift if you arc your springs then ad longer shocks.
Sway bars personally I think are always good unless your rock crawling.


PS. the auto fab kit is sweet but I know I can get the same lift buy using the stock ibeams and radius arms for way less the price. mmmm mabe I should build a bolt on lift kit for 2 wheel drives for my next project.

[SuperTruck]

You might want to check out this truck:
http://www.teamloco.com/life/?p=75