1971 f250 DESERT truck- 10/24 race prep

[fomocoguy]

Dang, that's some travel! How long before you get the rear done?

[killakobra]

sitting a bit low in the back don't ya think?

[BobbyFord]

Looking good!

[1971ford]

Thanks guys
The next race for us is May 28-31, because that is the first desert race of the season, and were only going to be doing the desert races (3 per season). This race is in Yerington Nv, and is 300 miles long. This is by far my favorite race VORRA puts on, i am so excited! I'm ready to finish and maybe pass someone That golf cart is staying behind us this time... and I'll be driving!!

As for the rear suspension, I'm doing the whole rear spring swap today and tomorrow
I am about to start griding out all the hanger rivets, then I'll move the hangers, tac them in place, cycle the suspension with my new 7" shackles and 64" springs, find a good spot and drill new holes in the frame, then grade 8 bolts. THe rear should have about 18" of travel, that's what people are getting out of these 64" spring swaps. However my stock shocks iwll limit it to more like 8". I have some Rancho 14" travel shocks to swap on and bolt to the bedcage for now, and i will just strap it short on its downtravel since i am going to be running 16 or 18" travel shocks in the rear.
The 7" shackle is going to lower the rear a inch about, but then i am going to be putting all my current leaves under the 64" main leaf along with 3 short leaves i pulled from a '70 chevy crewcab at the junkyard.
Time to go grind rivets...

[BiggDogg]

Dang Ryan that thing has made a total transformation from where you and your dad first started! Looks great

[1971ford]

Thanks!

Rear suspension is half way done!
I pulled the rearend off, pulled the leaf springs out, cut 10 rivets to get the hangers off and two other rivets that were in the way, disassembled the chevy leaf packs to the bare main leaf, and did some planning.
Tomorrow i am going to mount the hangers in their new positions, cut holes in the bed floor for shackle space, assemble the entire rearend, extend the front and rear brake lines, cut off old bumpstops and mount new bigger and softer bumpstops, strap the front end and replace shock bolts with the right size bolts and drill the shock mounts to match the shock holes.


Here is what the packs will be, plus the chevy main leaf on top of course. We will see how it rides, i might need to ditch one or two if it's too stiff. Should be pretty good though, and these are temporary until i get my hands on some Jeep Wagoneer front leaves because they are super thin and will work great.






Don't tell mom! THis is how i get the clamps off.


new bumps

[FreakysFords]

nice ingenuity! Are the Jeep springs the same length?

Yet again, nice work Hoss!

[1971ford]

Thanks
The jeep springs arn't very long but they don't need to be. I'm always going to run the 64" main leaf im just going to try out new leaves to put under the main, such as the wagoneer leaves, there are about 7 to a pack if i remember correctly and they are really thin.

[FreakysFords]

Ah gocha

[1967AceStroker]

Wow man... puttin' in work. I can't wait to see the new stance of your truck when its done. If I were only closer... I wana ride in it!

[killakobra]

looking good. i've had about of month of snow here and it's killed most of my bump work :\

[HRDROKN]

Ryan....

Looks like you are having lots of fun with this project! Great Job!

[1971ford]

Thanks guys
Ace, free rides to fordification members
To anyone really if they dared to step foot in my truck

HRDROKN We need to meet up sometime, maybe once you get your crew driving. I need to see it and you need to see mine

Well, here it is... new rear suspension!
It took 3 full, non stop working days to complete, but soooo worth it.

Before: (show's lack of droop but doesn't show the really bad ride of the springs)


After: BAM SON!






Ride height:




Droop:


Almost full bump:


I forgot to put the wheels on to test clearence at bump, but i guess we will find out..
Speed hole/shackle access hole/shackle sweet room/"I have long travel suspension" show off mechanism.


Tomorrow's plans:
Extended brake lines all 4 corners
Drill out front shock mount holes to match shock holes, new bolts
Strap front end
New bumps for rear end

And later this week, bumps for front.

[1971ford]

Went out testing today, had to put my truck into Boat mode to get to the fast stretches of the trail. No pictures of the truck at speed, because we only took pics of the puddle mobbing

The front shock mounts are factory drilled at 9/16 i think it is, and the shocks are 5/8. SO i had put 9/16 bolts in, and when we went out to the trail today i was rattle galore. SOOOOOO loud and annoying, the shock was just bouncing up and down on hte top mounting bolt. It didn't do any harm though it was just annoying. I drilled the mount holes out to 5/8's and got some nice grade 8 bolts in, no more rattle! But it still did pretty darn good, i got up to speed on a few stretches. I really need some tires, the rearend was floating half the time. I have a brand new 35" toyo open country for the rear but im saving it for the race.

The rear is tons better than stock, but it's not very soft... But i am now realizing this is probably because i have zero weight on the rearend right now. i had a few gallons of gas, no spares, nothing. When racing it will have about 200 pound of fuel at times, plus 2 spares, jack, tools, etc. So it actually might be just right, but the ride height needs to go up an inch or two.




Entering the free car wash i found

and entering drying stage

[TheEskimo]

Well now, that is one way to clean the underside
Looking good as always, I have and still love watching this build. I may have to make the trip over sometime to see it in person.