Kingpins

[68shorty]

In the process of rebuilding the front suspension, i got a disc setup off a 74, one of the kingpins is tight. Years ago I've heated up the axle with a torch, got them to take grease and everything was ok, this one i want to do right. I've never replaced the kingpins, any tricks, or do's or don'ts on this job? Also, the radius arms off the 74 are stamped steel and the ends are worn considerably from bad bushings, any problem using the forged arms off the 68?

[fordman]

i'd let the shop do the king pins. beatign them out is a pain in the back. i have had to cut the king pins to get them to come out before. no problem using the older radius arms. most guys like them better anyway.

[Banjo]

I used 74 spindles with my stock 68 radius arms. After beating 2 sets out w/hammer, I'll NEVER do it again. Take the radius arms/spindles to a machine shop and let the press do the work. I'm stubborn as a mule and had to prove to myself I could do it, and did accomplish job, but at far greater cost in hours of my life (and swollen, busted hands) than a machine shop fee.

[68shorty]

I've heard some horror stories changing these, might be best to let a machine shop take these on. I've already blasted & painted the 68 beams, if the 74 spindles fit right on the 68 beams this would save me some work.

[FORDification]

You can use either radius arm, just keep in mind that the coil spring used needs to match the radius arm. If you use the bumpside-era radius arm, you have to also use the bumpside-era spring and vice-versa.

[70_F100]

You can use either radius arm, just keep in mind that the coil spring used needs to match the radius arm. If you use the bumpside-era radius arm, you have to also use the bumpside-era spring and vice-versa.

What's the difference in the springs???

[fordman]

just the way the bottom of the spring is made to fit in the coil bucket on the bottom. robroy had a heck of a time getting his right.

[red403]

I bought a 79 for the front end and while cleaning the radius arms up I see they are worn down about half the size of the shaft from bad bushings and years of neglect. The radius arm are in good shape and my bushings seem good on my 67( I will intsall new bushings anyway)so if I use the spring from the 67 and the radius arm I should be ok to install them on the 79 I beams, is this correct? Is there any other issues that could creep up while doing this swap? I have seen some things are differant on the 67's just wondering if this is one of them. Just tring to get all my ducks in a row for the swap. Thanks

[FORDification]

Yes, you can use your '67 radius arms and springs with the dentside axles...it'll bolt right up.

[red403]

Thank you