1994 Ford F350 RSK suspension lift. SHE'S DONE!!!! 9/26/13

[scooter99]

Ok so I don't have many pics from last night, but it was one of my more productive and "light bulb" nights. I was working on the truck and taking care of my daughter while my wife and other daughter were at soccer practice. Then they came home and life got in the way as it does a lot around my house. But that's the way it is.

So, let's do some pics.

Day 8!!

Not a ton of production to show from last night, but I managed to get the shocks on. Driver side.

Passenger side shock.

So my worries about the sway bar not fitting, and the end links not being long enough, and the truck being so tall, etc were all because my brain apparently wasn't engaging. I was too focused on the square peg square hole, round peg round hole. Not on what's outside of the box. I realized that everything was hanging so low because the truck wasn't supported by the jack stands under the axle, it was supported by the frame, and the axle was hanging off the springs. Make sense?

So the heavy ass axle was just hanging, via the ubolts, on the springs. That made the shocks max out, the spring have opposite arch, which is what lift springs would look like, and the sway bar hit the springs, etc.

So I started by centering up the jack stands under the axle. Then getting the jack in place.

Remember the cripples and the jack stands from the beginning? Well look at the shock, it's maxed out, the spring has a positive arch in it, and while you can't really see it, the sway bar hits the spring when in place on the end links. Also the angle of the drive shaft was off.

Now the cripples are out, the jack stands are out, and the weight is all on the axle which is on the jack stands under it. The jack is in contact with but not carrying any weight.

Just here you can see the differences. The springs have a 0 arch, the shock is obviously compressed, and looking that the truck when this was done, was a big difference in height. The sway bar is now clear also, and the angle of the drive line is good again.

So now I'm back on track. What I didn't take pics of, was the seat on the axle with the leaf springs. You can see here, if you look in the pic above really good, there's a space between the spring and the axle mount. There's the knob I spoke of before that is supposed to seat in a hole in that mount. It was a good half inch off. I ended up using a strap, just a cheap on from depot, and wrapping it around the axle, and then around the RSK mount, on the right up there, and using that to pull it in. That combined with the jack and a 4x4 piece to jack up the spring. Got it to snap into place and it sat right down after that.

But while doing that, I ended up loosening the U Bolts to get some slack in it. While doing that, a thought hit me. Look at them and see why it's not cinching up all the way. Found out the threads were caked with rust. So I got out a nice wire brush and scraped them free and I'll be damned if it didn't work! WOOT! SO the front U Bolt is all the way tight now, and I'll have to do the other three tonight. BUT this means the truck will be drive-able tonight. And I can also take it with me this weekend. The new bolts aren't due in till friday sometime, when I'll already be gone. So this weekend when I get home, I'll swap the bolts out to the new ones and it'll be good.

I still have the fluids to change out, rear diff, and then an oil change. But those may have to wait until I get back. I don't know that I'll have time to do them tomorrow night.

So more to come later! Getting closer to done!!

[scooter99]

Sorry guys, I got pics of last nights work, but I had a hang up so it didn't get done and a busy morning so I wasn't able to get pics uploaded.

So my hang up will take all of 3 minutes to fix, but I need a grinder to do it. I have one, but it was 9:30 when I found it so the kids were in bed, and it was close to curfew so I didn't wanna try it. In the interest of keeping my word, I put it on the workbench and tried to use a hack saw, but after 10 minutes and only getting through about 1/4" of the 1/4" thick plate, I decided eff it and gave up. It'll take all of 2 minutes to do it today, and another minute to get it put back on.

So instead, I changed the oil, sucked out the power steering fluid, and replaced it. I still have the differential fluid to change in back, and I should do the front too but I've gotten the look about money so I'll wait on that. LOL

I did get the brake lines on in front though. The rear is fine, doesn't need the longer one, but I thought I'd change it out anyway, cause it came with the kit, except I can't get it apart. And it's not exactly in the best spot to get to. I wish car builders would think of this shit when building the car. Really, the brake line being on the top of the frame under the damn spare tire was a good place to put it? WTF? Anyway, I've sprayed it down with PB Blaster, and I'll do it again before i leave, but I don't see it getting done before I leave tomorrow. But I'll change that out at some point as well.

Ok enough talk, I'll get some pics up tonight and final pics before I leave tomorrow. Thanks for checking in!

[boom50cal]

I forgot that California has that bullshit 55 trailer towing speed limit....but if you're rocking 4.10/11's then you should get decent fuel mileage out of that with a 8k lb trailer behind it. Like 8 most likely. Just one of my light bulb moments there lol. And for reference, for any other readers, 8 mpg towing with a big block Ford is actually pretty damn good. My uncle has a mega cab Cummins and gets 12-13 with a 10k lb load behind his, with 400hp and close to 800ft-lb of torque vs the Ford's 250ish hp and 400ish ft-lbs of torque.

Can't wait to see it all back together!

[scooter99]

55mph Pftttt. Fuck that law. I'm at least a 65mph - 70mph guy. At least after the first mile where I can really get a feel of how she's gonna act. I used to tow big heavy trailers with my 06 F350 I used to have. I'm pretty good with them. But yeah stupid crap here in Nazifornia.

Anyway, to be honest, I'm not sure what gearing I have in there. How would I look that up? If it's low I'd love to change it, but that won't happen for quite a while I'm sure.

Yeah she'll be up and running tonight if all goes well.

That reminds me I need to call for an appointment tomorrow. I have a screw in my passenger front tire, so I need to have that fixed before I hit the road.

Thanks BOOM!!

[scooter99]

Crown SS Braided Brake Lines

Driver side with the two lines coming in.

Driver side at the caliper

Driver side

Passenger side at the hard line

Passenger side

Got the sway bar connected

Can see the driver side end link also.

Time to change out this old worn out bushing.

All parts taken off.

Took the wire brush to the U-Bolt to get the rust off.

New vs. Old. I'd say it was time for a new one.

[scooter99]

Get some lube on there

Back on and ready to be cinched up.

Dropped it down a little bit and tightened it up. Got the sway bar down about a half inch below the springs.

Driver side bushing time.

All the pieces off.

Again, old vs new and it was definitely time.

Lubed up.

On and tightened up.

This is where I hit a snag. That tab on the back side needs to come off. At least half of it.

The line where I'll cut it.

Ok there you go.

Now it's time to go finish this thing up! More later!

[scooter99]

Got the plate in the vise and ready with the cut off wheel on the grinder.

Cut off and ready to go on.

ALWAYS remember to wear your safety glasses when using power tools, but especially when using a grinder.

Fits perfect. Let's get this thing put back together and on the road!

Got it all cinched down and tight.

Shock back on, and now we're ready for tires!

Driver wheel on, and ready to be put down.

Passenger wheel on, and we're ready to put her down.

PMF Adjustable Track Bar. Reversed the truck about 30 feet, then back forward. Now we're ready for this.

On and tightened up! Bolts were a little on the long side, but not an issue.

Bumper on. Ready to roll!

[scooter99]

Got some final night time pics. I'll take some more pics tomorrow during the day! But I'm about to go do a test drive and see how she feels.

It also measures about 3" of lift up front, and 1.5-1.75" in the rear. Definitely not as much as I was hoping for, but I'll address that later on in the future!

I can tell you that from driving it from the back yard to the front of the house, it's a NIGHT AND DAY difference from before! I can't believe how soft it is. SO nice!

Ok I'm test driving, I'll report back later or tomorrow!

[scooter99]

Side overalview of the truck

Front Raise from center hub - 27" (Before 24") = 3"

Front Raise from ground to fender - 43"

Rear Raise from center hub - 27" (Before 25.5") = 1.5"

Rear Raise from ground to fender 43.25"

So there it is. Drove it around a bit last night and it rides like a dream now! Especially compared to what it was before. I'm so very happy!! Thanks for watching this!!

[Kyblack76]

Nice job bro.

It looks great.... damn good work buddy. You had some issues, and worked them through. Did it correct, and safe.

Thats a damn good start and finish bro, with a killer outcome.

nice job Scottie brew, nice job...