hi, ive got this guys at work with a 77 f150, 351m, 435/205??, 44 and 9''...hes pretty serious about getting on the trails up in the sierras after seeing my rubicon pics, etc. i dont know poopoo about these trucks, but he wants me to put some tube sliders on it and a front bumper, and work the suspension/sawzall fenders so he can run some 36'' swampers and get through the trails safely and reliably...

i was thinkin about loosing the whole radius arm/coil sprung front and putting leafs on it. flippin the rear shackle over and welding up his third...

ideas, comments, etc appreciated....

The radius arms work fine, just wrist the pass side arm;) 5-6" coils in front, shackle flip in the back, cut to make room for 36 - 38's and he'll be good to go;)

hey mark is this thing the same as an EB underneath?

The radius and coil setup is similar to the EB. I think the coils are wider. The axle's are wider too. Drivetrain is different. EB's came with C4, RAT, OR RAN 3 speeds and 302's the biggest motor you could get. Pre 71 EB's also had a 30 up front.

i was thinkin about loosing the whole radius arm/coil sprung front and putting leafs on it.

Wait, lemme get my popcorn
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ah, [grabs front row seat] ok, go ahead

No arguments, do what you want. Personally I'd stick with the coils. I know someone doing that on an EB I don't know why, cheap and easy I guess. MY .02

No arguments, do what you want. Personally I'd stick with the coils. I know someone doing that on an EB I don't know why, cheap and easy I guess. MY .02
it was just an idea...the guys got a family of 4 living off a blue collar wage...and ive got enough leaf springs on the side of the house....

I really don't think you could possibly swap it over to leafs for less money than lifting it with coils... Figure a set of coils will cost all of $200. With the fenders trimmed you won't need more than a 3-4" coil for 36's.. if that.. For diffs spend the $30 on a mini spool, it's money well spent. Toss a EZ locker in the front and call it good.

it was just an idea...the guys got a family of 4 living off a blue collar wage...and ive got enough leaf springs on the side of the house....

coils are a dime a dozen used and new should be well under 200, can always lower the coil buckets for more lift. Sawzall work will make lots of room on this IIRC.

If you have enuf leaves, just throw them in, it should be easy enuf just get some hangers from PnP, eliminates the trackbar too.


D60, can you believe I made that last comment? :flipoff2:

hey mark is this thing the same as an EB underneath?


Not the same but very similar. The radius arms are the same except for the spacing on the bolt holes for the lower spring retainer. The coils are larger in diameter and have a higher spring rate. But most of the same mods made to an EB can be made to your buds F150. BC Bronco's has some great coils you can use for about $160.00. The wristed arm can be built for about $20.00 in materials. Rear shackle flip is FREE. Shocks can be found here cheap. Bob the bed or dump it in favor of a flat bed and you're bud's rockin'!

I'm a lazy, beer guslin' sob;) If it were me, I'd stick with the coils and make it work. Easy and cheap ;) :beer:

My plans are:

-3-4" front springs ($120-160)
-front bushing set ($50-70)
-ford f-250 shock mounts and cheapy shocks all the way around
-shackle flip in the rear
-mini spool and lock right for the front

I don't plan on wristing or extending the radius arms yet because being locked up front and rear will be fine for the majority of trails. Also remember these trucks can fit 33's stock, and 36's with just fender trimming so keep the lift simple and cheap.

4" lift, cutouts, 38" swampers, and shorten the wheel base if anylonger than a short bed regular cab. 351 will be fine, if it has motorcraft ignition carry a spare ignition module. 435 with 205 is plenty of gear reduction to go. it is actually good stock if you cut out the fenders, stuff some 35"s and spool the rear 9"....oh and bring a 100qt igloo with plenty of alchy.

I got a set of 4" coils you can have if you wanna come get 'em, if that helps make up your mind.

I got a set of 4" coils you can have if you wanna come get 'em, if that helps make up your mind.

wheres fiddleton? what kind of :beer: you drink?

4" lift, cutouts, 38" swampers, and shorten the wheel base if anylonger than a short bed regular cab. 351 will be fine, if it has motorcraft ignition carry a spare ignition module. 435 with 205 is plenty of gear reduction to go. it is actually good stock if you cut out the fenders, stuff some 35"s and spool the rear 9"....oh and bring a 100qt igloo with plenty of alchy.


wanna help me drag a newbie in a fullsize thru gatekeeper and stuff? :D

thanks for all the ideas, these things seem simple to build:D what do you guys do for steering up grades and all the little things to make it trail worthy?

go to Jackson then head north on hwy 49 to Plymouth. take a right on fiddletown rd. Samuel Adams is good. i might have a dropped trac bar mount and dropped pitman too. do you think your incab for an '89 would fit a '79? Anybody know where to get an incab for a '73-'79? call first (707) 718-2712 days or (209) 267-0751 eve.

go to Jackson then head north on hwy 49 to Plymouth. take a right on fiddletown rd. Samuel Adams is good. i might have a dropped trac bar mount and dropped pitman too. do you think your incab for an '89 would fit a '79? Anybody know where to get an incab for a '73-'79? call first (707) 718-2712 days or (209) 267-0751 eve.
ill come visit you in a week or 2 when my trucks all done(with a cold bunch of sam adams:D), i dont think the cage will fit though, i sorta testfit it in my 85 and it was really tight. ill gladly take any ford parts you got for my poor coworker--thanks!

I got to get my toy done first, but will be there memorial day.;)

wanna help me drag a newbie in a fullsize thru gatekeeper and stuff? :D

with the extra wheelbase and some 36's most of the con should be a breeze... just lots of backing up to make the turns. Remember most of the holes dug on the trail are buy jeeps why do you think your toy does so good :D

why do you think your toy does so good :D

sure as heck isnt the driver :flipoff2: :D