Project Truck - 89' F250

renjaminfrankln

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Here is my '89 F250 that I picked up last Friday. Its a 4x4 XL with 7.3 IDI, first gen banks turbo, ZF5 transmission.

It was a plow truck for awhile and was pretty dirty when I got it.

Plans include in somewhat particular order:

  • Fix sagging front leaf springs, replace shackles, bushings etc..
  • Fix steering slop and get alignment
  • Air intrusion issue - probably needs new injector pump
  • Change fluid in front/rear axles, xfer case, transmission
  • Fix fuel selector issue and senders - currently have just the front tank working with no senders
  • New 265/75/16 tires and wheels
  • Fix small dents with bondo and touch up paint, replace tailgate hinges, compound and wax paint.
  • Interior - swap in later model 92-96 bench seat with headrest, recover if needed. Remove vinyl floor, add sound deadening material, replace with new molded carpet floor
  • Fix heat/ac.. heat first, AC over the winter.
  • New door seals etc...
 
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renjaminfrankln

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Here it is with new leaf springs and shocks. Getting new tires on Saturday 265/75/16 on AR 16x7 alloy wheels.

Quite a drastic difference with the new springs/leafs/bushings! Rides great now.

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Thewespaul

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Looks great! I’m a big believer that everyone should have a thread for their truck if they plan on keeping it for a long time. It becomes very valuable if you ever need to use your insurance since all your work/time/money is documented well in one place, and it helps with the “when did I change this”.

Lookin good, I really like that color on the single cab.
 

renjaminfrankln

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New wheels and tires. The wheels are 16x7 AR Outlaw II with a 3.7” backspace. Tires are 265/75/16 Corsa Highway Terrain. I usually buy name brand tires but these were only $92 each so I figured what the heck. They are E rated.

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renjaminfrankln

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THanks! And thanks for your help!

By the way the front springs lifted the front end a bit too much. They’ve only been on there a week. I’m wondering if they’ll sag a bit or if I need to install some offset ball joints to get the camber correct.
 

Thewespaul

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They will sag a bit, but I wouldn’t count on it, if they are oem replacements they shouldn’t need anything special to get the alignment correct. How do the pivot bushings look?
 

renjaminfrankln

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They are 3486lb springs part # 43498 on rock auto

Appears there are also some more expensive 2750lb springs that is probably what I should have installed.

Oh and the axle pivot bushings actually look fine.
 

renjaminfrankln

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Hmm, have you gotten an alignment after the new leafs went in?

Yeah I had a shop down the street throw all the parts in and do the alignment. Its off by a fairly significant amount. The front end sits a lot higher now. The shop owner said if it does not settle out in a few weeks I should put some adjustable cams in the upper balljoint mount. I spent a little bit of time looking this up and I think it can be done.
 

The_Josh_Bear

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Yeah I had a shop down the street throw all the parts in and do the alignment. Its off by a fairly significant amount. The front end sits a lot higher now. The shop owner said if it does not settle out in a few weeks I should put some adjustable cams in the upper balljoint mount. I spent a little bit of time looking this up and I think it can be done.
Yes it can be done and it's what they should have done during install... like @Thewespaul said they will settle *a little* but new springs is new springs. They need an adjustable camber nut on the upper ball joint and to be adjusted. That's all I know, my front suspension is pretty square so I haven't had to do it yet!
Don't drive around very long like that on those new tires, unless you like the worn-shoulder look. :confused:
 

renjaminfrankln

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Yes it can be done and it's what they should have done during install... like @Thewespaul said they will settle *a little* but new springs is new springs. They need an adjustable camber nut on the upper ball joint and to be adjusted. That's all I know, my front suspension is pretty square so I haven't had to do it yet!
Don't drive around very long like that on those new tires, unless you like the worn-shoulder look. :confused:

They do continue to settle out.. noticeably better from when I got it.

Also, the axle pivot bushings are more roached than originally thought. Those are getting replaced ASAP.

I spent about an hour under the truck just poking around this evening. Also managed to change the fluid in the ZF5.
 

renjaminfrankln

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Anyone happen to know offhand the size of the metal brake lines? I need to replace the line that runs from the proportioning valve to the rubber line on the right front brake line. Its looking a little.. crusty
 

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