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1971ford · Post by **1971ford** » Sat Oct 22, 2011 4:53 pm

Agreed.

Take the old shackles off, and make a copy of them but an inch or two longer (depending on how much more negative caster you want). Negative caster will help tremendously. Also, a 2" longer shackle will also lift the front end back up to where it was originally..

Manny · Post by **Manny** » Sat Oct 22, 2011 6:58 pm

Okay curiosity kicked in. Ryan you and woods seemed to mention it is this a common deal among the leaf 4by's to add a little lift this was to held it handle better. Keep in mind i'm gonna swap in a 78 -79 axle probably

woods · Post by **woods** » Sat Oct 22, 2011 7:23 pm

If I was changing the axle, I would just turn the pad a bit before installing it to help with caster. But, be carful, the new front may already have good caster.

Manny · Post by **Manny** » Sat Oct 22, 2011 11:44 pm

woods wrote:If I was changing the axle, I would just turn the pad a bit before installing it to help with caster. But, be carful, the new front may already have good caster.

Fair enough just seeing how bad the caster was normally off. I myself need to get some new leaf springs for the front or find stock height replacements from another application.

1971ford · Post by **1971ford** » Sun Oct 23, 2011 1:05 am

Dan,

I am not 100% sure if the 78/79 axle has the same exact caster angle as the earlier axles we have, but i would assume so. Never assume though.

.

Swapping in longer shackles can be seen as a "bandaid fix" by some... because if you are getting poor handling/death wobble it could be many things. Steering box issues, something up inside the axle, or awkwardly sagged springs. But no matter what is wrong, adding negative caster will cover the problems up. For example... my highboy has HORRIBLE death wobble... I never was able to figure it out (might be something with the axle, or my old springs) so I added the much longer shackles (I wanted a little lift too anyways) and it magically drives very nice now

The only downside to a longer shackle, is it takes "longer" to make a turn, but not by much. On the highboy I made a set of shackles something like 3" longer over stock and turning isn't much worse. It won't be noticeable when i get the PS on anyways. Well, another downside i guess is the pinion pointing slightly more down that before, but it's a pretty small difference and has no affect on my highboy (and I've accidently left it in 4hi and driven from the mountains home at 60-70MPH... AND that was with my fab'd up 1/4" wall non balanced driveshaft. No vibrations at all.

The lift that comes out of it is just a side affect. If you add 2" to the shackle then you'll get an inch of lift, and more negative caster fixing wobble issues.

I would swap in your new axle and the new springs, then i bet you anything any wobble (if you had any) will be gone.

averagef250 · Post by **averagef250** » Sun Oct 23, 2011 9:40 am

It isn't a common thing to find caster off in these trucks. Dana front axles are made with spring pads perpendicular to the kingpin angle. Caster should be around 4 degrees.

Measure the caster angle. That eliminates any guessing and lots of wasted time. If you don't measure anything you're just taking wild guesses.

If there were a problem with caster I'd be inclined to fix the truck before I milled the pad angle on a 79 HP60 housing. A lot of work for one and if the springs, bushings and shackles are in good shape everything should be right on (BUT MEASURE BEFORE GUESSING).

nadams · Post by **nadams** » Sun Oct 30, 2011 12:53 am

Finally got some decent pictures of my 68 high boy.

thrush544 · Post by **thrush544** » Sun Oct 30, 2011 9:45 pm

Sweeet!

woods · Post by **woods** » Sun Oct 30, 2011 11:01 pm

Did that truck come out of Oregon by any chance?

nadams · Post by **nadams** » Mon Oct 31, 2011 2:14 am

I bought it 4 years ago from a guy in Tacoma WA. Not sure how long he had it before that.

woods · Post by **woods** » Mon Oct 31, 2011 8:11 am

Ah. It just looked really familiar to one I have seen bumbling around the Oregon coast from time to time.

BRUTUS_T_HOG · Post by **BRUTUS_T_HOG** » Mon Oct 31, 2011 8:20 pm

woods wrote:Ah. It just looked really familiar to one I have seen bumbling around the Oregon coast from time to time.

red one with a white camper? i used to see one like that all the time when i lived in seaside

woods · Post by **woods** » Mon Oct 31, 2011 9:53 pm

Yes, I think we are talking about the same one. White grill, white camper and I think it had the stock steel wheels on it.

nadams · Post by **nadams** » Tue Nov 01, 2011 1:15 pm

Here are some distinguishing features of my truck so if you see me Bumpin around you can say hi.

My buddy who helps me work on the truck decided it needed a little more Halloween flair!

Previous owner thought if you painted over rust it magically disappears.

I got a couple of new doors since both sides are like this.

CrypticRacer13 · Post by **CrypticRacer13** » Tue Nov 01, 2011 3:33 pm

Nice truck man. Hows it do towing the trailer?

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