spwalker
Street Queen
Posts:55
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| 01/05/2008 1:00 PM |
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| i just put 3 inch springs on m |
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spwalker
Street Queen
Posts:55
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| 01/05/2008 1:02 PM |
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| oh, i put the springs in the front and have blocks in the back |
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SnoMan
Lift & Lockers
Posts:943
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| 01/05/2008 1:22 PM |
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quote:
Originally posted by spwalker
i just put 3 inch springs on my 1994 f150 and the front tires are boowed inward, like slanted. is there anything i can do to fix this??
thanks, spencer
Yes, take the springs out. You have that bastard TTB front swing axle. The only way to lift it is to use a kit that move axle further away from truck so axle are level in static position. You cannot simply do what you did with that setup. Quite honestly it is arguably one of the worse front drive axle designs ever put on a 4x4 truck. |
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spwalker
Street Queen
Posts:55
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| 01/06/2008 2:34 PM |
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| well dang, that stinks the tires aren't too badly boowed inward, but what kind of lift kits are made to do that kind of stuff? i dont have the money to do a solid axle swap, like brand new, so i guess i could go to a pick and pull place and get one? |
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webby4x4
Forum Admin, Magazine Editor
Rock Star
Posts:2375
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| 01/06/2008 8:10 PM |
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There really is no lift available for the TTB trucks, unless you get one that moves the entire axle assembly downward, away from the frame, and I'm not familiar with anyone that makes such as animal.
A solid axle swap will probably set you back about $2K (+ or -), with a used axle from your local salvage yard. IF YOU DO THIS, don't waste your time putting in a toothpick front axles. Go with at least a Dana 44, but preferably a Dana 60 - this way you'll have plenty of building room later, and you won't be hindered by tire size and axle strength.
Rick |
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Rick Webster
Editor, 4X4REVIEW.COM - A Tork Media, Inc. Publication
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'74 FJ40 Land Cruiser
"Measure once, cut twice" |
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spwalker
Street Queen
Posts:55
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| 01/07/2008 11:36 AM |
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| ok now will i have to modify and change to a leaf spring for suspenion in the front? sorry, im trying to learn as much as i can about this stuff lol |
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SnoMan
Lift & Lockers
Posts:943
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| 01/07/2008 6:00 PM |
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| No you need to scrap front axle completely and go to a solid axle if you want to get serious. Change spring is not going to fix you problem with swig axle you have now. The cheapest way to do this swap would be to find a donor truck from a bone yard or such and yous it for parts to convert it over to a solid front axle. Even then it is not going to be easy and it would be simpler to get another truck with a solid front axle as they are a lot easier to lift. |
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yoda
Bone Stock
Posts:0
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| 01/07/2008 7:47 PM |
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spwalker,
Superlift, Skyjacker and Rancho offer lift kits for your F-150 that address your camber issue. All companies use drop brackets and/or different I-beams to re-level the Twin I-beams and allow for taller coils without all of the positive camber you now have. You can get anything from 2-8" of lift in full kit form. While I agree with Webby and Snoman that the TTB design is pretty poor, if its a lift kit you're after then there are plenty on the market to chose from that will get you the hieght you want without having to do a solid axle swap.
Yoda |
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SnoMan
Lift & Lockers
Posts:943
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| 01/07/2008 8:30 PM |
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quote:
Originally posted by yoda
spwalker,
Superlift, Skyjacker and Rancho offer lift kits for your F-150 that address your camber issue. All companies use drop brackets and/or different I-beams to re-level the Twin I-beams and allow for taller coils without all of the positive camber you now have. You can get anything from 2-8" of lift in full kit form. While I agree with Webby and Snoman that the TTB design is pretty poor, if its a lift kit you're after then there are plenty on the market to chose from that will get you the hieght you want without having to do a solid axle swap.
Yoda
Sure you can do it with a lot of money and expense and then deal with accelerated steering linkage wear, radius arm bushing wear and sloppy steering and handling too. It is kinda like putting a bandaid on a hogs nose. (it does not last long their as they are always rooting around and same with tires and parts on a lifted TTB) |
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spwalker
Street Queen
Posts:55
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| 01/08/2008 5:03 PM |
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thanks yoda, and snowman, and rick!
i talked to a guy at an offroad shop near my house and he said that he could fix the tire problem without an axle swap, i think he said that he would use a drop bracket or something of that nature. I just dont have the money to do a solid axle swap, but if i did, i would swap em in a second. Theres an old bronco at the beach near my beach house that nobody uses, and it looks like its in good condition, so i might go and see if i can snag the front axle from it, i think its somewhere inbetween 1975-1979 bronco, from the looks of the body style, but if i do do this, around how much would the axle swap cost me? and would i be able to still have coil sprung suspention in the front?
thanks for all the help guys |
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SnoMan
Lift & Lockers
Posts:943
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| 01/08/2008 6:27 PM |
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| You are throwing good money after bad. That off road shop wants to sell you a kit, not really level with you. That TTB is the worst front drive axle ever put on a 4x4! It is famous for vague steering on rough toads and is a tire eater too and lifts make it worse. At the suspension articulates its wheel track width is always changing radically along with camber angles too with eats tire and cause traction/handling issues at times. Basically it is a steerable swing axle design that is about as modern as the rear swing axle used on a old VW bug from its inception till mid 70's when they scraped the concept because of its limitations. Nobody but Ford has used it since then and Ford finally quietly fully dumped it after Explorer roll over law suits. (the swing axle in front aided the roll over when wheel tucked under)
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spwalker
Street Queen
Posts:55
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| 01/08/2008 7:07 PM |
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| what i recently found out is that the offroad guy is my dads client, and hes doing this for free, and all hes doing is fixing the tires so that there not boowed inward, nothing more. im getting a new truck in a couple of months, and i guarntee u im gonna look at the axles and spec sheet before i get it |
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spwalker
Street Queen
Posts:55
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| 01/08/2008 7:08 PM |
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and ill be sure not to get one of those stupid ttb axles!!
thanks for all the help and advice guys, it helped a lot! |
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SnoMan
Lift & Lockers
Posts:943
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| 01/09/2008 5:02 AM |
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quote:
Originally posted by spwalker
and ill be sure not to get one of those stupid ttb axles!!
thanks for all the help and advice guys, it helped a lot!
You have one of those TTB axles now. Just look at if and do not get it again. As long as you get a later model F250 or better SD ford it will have a solid front axle. Some F250 models through 90's had a TTB D50 up front too. Another tips, stay away from 95 thru 02 Dodges too because they have a notched front axle tube for a axle shaft disconnecter and are known to bend when you lift them and play hard. |
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spwalker
Street Queen
Posts:55
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| 01/09/2008 12:53 PM |
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| ok, i was thinking of getting a 02-05 chevy 1500. this guy who lives near me has a really nice one with 35's and i think hes gonna sell it soon, so i r want to get it, and it seems to be a good truck |
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SnoMan
Lift & Lockers
Posts:943
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| 01/09/2008 1:16 PM |
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| Those trucks have short ball joint life when lifted like that (they are lightly built) I would suggest a 88 to 99 truck as that frame style supports a after market SAS swap kit(solid axle swap) even in a 1500 if you get into it and want to play hard. Frame design limitations on Siverado 1500's do not support such a kit. (2500 and 3500 do though) I mention this so that you choose another truck you do not limit your future options. Better to have option and not need it than need option and not have it. |
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spwalker
Street Queen
Posts:55
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| 01/09/2008 4:54 PM |
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| true be that snoman but i got a couple of months to debate and choose which one i want |
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webby4x4
Forum Admin, Magazine Editor
Rock Star
Posts:2375
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| 01/12/2008 11:10 PM |
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Spywalker - maybe we can approach this a bit different and help you out a bit, instead of just poking at the weaknesses of each truck...
What type of off-roading and daily driving are you planning on doing? Is this more of a work truck, a show truck, a long-haul daily driver, a weekend off-roader, etc.?
Each of the American Iron have great trucks (new and old) regardless of what people say. Like anything in life, there are pros and cons to each.
Anyhow... let us know what you plan on using this for, and we'll see if we can't point out the things that the trucks are good at and how they will fit with your needs.
Rick |
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Rick Webster
Editor, 4X4REVIEW.COM - A Tork Media, Inc. Publication
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'74 FJ40 Land Cruiser
"Measure once, cut twice" |
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SnoMan
Lift & Lockers
Posts:943
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| 01/13/2008 6:01 AM |
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| Webby there is little if any "Great Off Road Iron" in a F150 TTB. Maybe I sound harsh but I do not like to build false hopes. The TTB has severe design limitations and no kit short of a SAS is going to correct. I see posts all the time where people take various newer 1/2 ton trucks (that are built considerably lighter than models 20 years ago) and lift them and install big tires and think that they have transformed it into a HD truck when the quality of "rubber bands" it was built with has not changed and they are being stretched even harder now. Maybe if I had not been around 4x4's for over 40 years and/or did not have a mechanical engineering background I would not feel this. Some just look at the face of the 4x4 while I look at its structural design. Surface looks mean little to me as I rate them by what is truly behind the pretty face. Lifting any truck adds stress and strain to them and can exploit their weaknesses so you need to start with a strong platform to begin with rather than one that is lacking before you weaken it more. |
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webby4x4
Forum Admin, Magazine Editor
Rock Star
Posts:2375
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| 01/13/2008 6:23 PM |
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I agree that a TTB truck wouldn't be my first choice (nor many other people), but I think we got your point in the last few posts.
I really would like to hear what Spywalkers plans are though. He may not need an SAS depending upon what he wants to do with his truck.
Rick |
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Rick Webster
Editor, 4X4REVIEW.COM - A Tork Media, Inc. Publication
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'74 FJ40 Land Cruiser
"Measure once, cut twice" |
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SnoMan
Lift & Lockers
Posts:943
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| 01/13/2008 9:13 PM |
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| After he chews up a few sets of front tires and other parts he may wish he had. |
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Visit the SnoMan at
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webby4x4
Forum Admin, Magazine Editor
Rock Star
Posts:2375
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| 01/14/2008 6:46 AM |
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| Would you drop it Snoman?!?! Technically, you are right... the TTB isn't the best front axle setup known to man. However, there are several companies that sell kits that fix the camber issue, and they work well. Not everyone has the wherewithall, the cash or the gumption to to a SAS. |
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Rick Webster
Editor, 4X4REVIEW.COM - A Tork Media, Inc. Publication
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'74 FJ40 Land Cruiser
"Measure once, cut twice" |
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SnoMan
Lift & Lockers
Posts:943
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| 01/14/2008 12:14 PM |
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| My we are short!!! It is like if we ignore its problems, they do not exist. Good tires are expensive and why should you want anything more than max possible life with them. A TTB can eat big tires quickly. For that fact I do not recall ever seeing a TTB that did not wear even stock tires out quickly and unevenly. About the only thing you can say nice about a TTB is that they tend to have a softer ride. Sorry that I cannot get hyped up and happy about throwing good money after bad. |
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Visit the SnoMan at
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spwalker
Street Queen
Posts:55
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| 01/14/2008 2:28 PM |
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| sorry guys! ive been busy lately but i do offroad every now and then, and i went just yesterday, and bogged my truck, and it did great i got into mud up to the doors and got through with no problem and i understand that i really should do a solid axle swap, but i dont have the money and gas alone is killing me |
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spwalker
Street Queen
Posts:55
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| 01/14/2008 2:29 PM |
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| plus im getting a new truck soon when i graduate |
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spwalker
Street Queen
Posts:55
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| 01/14/2008 2:31 PM |
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| oh, and im a daily driver |
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webby4x4
Forum Admin, Magazine Editor
Rock Star
Posts:2375
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| 01/15/2008 1:36 AM |
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If it's a daily driver then you probably need to look at a lift kit that addresses the camber (See Yoda's post above). A solid axle swap is nirvana, but if you're on a tight budget, the best you'll be able to do is get a lift kit that addresses the camber and will help immensley with the tire scrub problems associated with TTB lifts. It won't cure it, but it sure as heck will be a lot better off.
There really is no way to adjust the camber on a TTB enough to fix this, without moving the axle assembly away from the frame to create the lift - unfortunatley.
Sorry there isn't any better news spywalker.
Rick |
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Rick Webster
Editor, 4X4REVIEW.COM - A Tork Media, Inc. Publication
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'74 FJ40 Land Cruiser
"Measure once, cut twice" |
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spwalker
Street Queen
Posts:55
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| 01/15/2008 4:35 AM |
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| its ok, thanks for the help rick, and snoman |
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Drug5 666
Bone Stock
Posts:2
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| 01/16/2008 10:48 AM |
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| ok im sorry i stumbled upon this on the internet and all i got to say do any of you kno what you're talking about i stopped reading it got so rediculous your stock ttb system can be lifted kit do everything to make it fine for a daily driver from sway bar lowering brackets drop pitman arms acording to lift height axle drop brackets brakelines and either radius arm drop brackets or extended radius arms. SAS is made to look like an expensive thing it isnt find a 1978-1979 bronco or f-150 direct swap the front and rear axle and suspension add lifting blocks and maybe longer coils how high you wanna go the sky is the limit (and local lift laws) thank you i hope i helped a lill with tinkleing some people off go SAS i did and it takes time and dedication |
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Drug5 666
Bone Stock
Posts:2
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| 01/16/2008 10:53 AM |
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| ok i read more i had a ttb on an explorer mine was fine great suspension just wanted crazy amounts of lift so i cheanged it never wore any tires wrong unless you have a retard align it so the chamber is so crazy off you can fit a 2 inch lift spacers and just move the chamber block to fix that no more positive chamber flunking your tires and if you dont kno what you're talking about just stop it makes ppls lifes easier thanks |
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devja71
Bone Stock
Posts:2
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| 02/26/2008 5:26 PM |
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| spwalker don't listen to snoman. i've had 3 ttb's and i've liked'm far better than my old chevy's-you just gotta know how to take'm. if you're going to keep your 94 and spend moderate $$ on it, then get a 4-6in kit from any of those common companies i'm sure they're all good. (get on the fsb forum to get advice on the softest coils, the common companies advertise soft-but frequently aren't) i've got an 83 bro w/a 6in superrunner everythings fine 'xept the coils are little stiff for me, but that's an easy swap when i get softer ones. my '89 bronco had exc tire wear, it had the quad shock option and rode too stiff so i removed 2 shocks and the difference was bad-to-good. if you can spare the bucks, get a kit w/the strong axle drop brackets (not the old L-shaped ones) and the ext radius arms, the 92-96's have the nice steering box ratio's so your good there, scounge the wreckers for a SAGINAW ps pump from a mid 90's e-van (they're quiet), and live w/a little bump steer, w/a kit it's not THAT bad. yes make sure you got a good man to install and align it. you'll have a good daily driver and hi-pinion d44 ttb's have done me FAR better and tougher than the 3 gm's i had, and i don't care how the magazine's paint it. sure it won't drive as nice as a new coilover truck but it should be good enuf to keep you from wanting one-and the payments/taxes/insurance/etc/and no better gas mileage that goes with'm. |
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spwalker
Street Queen
Posts:55
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| 02/27/2008 5:14 PM |
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| devja, i put a 4 inch rancho on, its a little bit stiffer than i would hope, but its a truck, and i dont care that much. but i put that on and i put the drop brackets and the radius arm drops on it etc etc and it works like a charm, i can go through some deep mud and no prob with the ttb, i watched my friend get stuck in his chevy 1500 and get framed out, then he started spinnin his tires and snapped his ball joint in the front. so i was grateful that i have something a lot stronger than that. so over all, im pleased with it, but dont get me wrong, id rather have a sas, but unless i you want to spend 2-4 tousand dollars on it, then go ahead, but the ttb works fine, cuz im not an all out hardcore offroader, as long as you get all the components for it, it'll be perfect. |
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devja71
Bone Stock
Posts:2
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| 03/14/2008 5:51 PM |
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| glad to hear that. i realize snoman's point because if you have a ttb front end that's out of whack it can be a real pain. double that if you have an 87-91 with that ridiculously touchy steering box. if someone hate's their ttb it's cause they don't know what to do with it. but i still love my ttb's i'm not ready to spend the $$ on a new tundra or f-series yet. hopefully your rancho springs will break in a bit and become softer. |
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spwalker
Street Queen
Posts:55
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| 03/15/2008 3:49 PM |
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| ya, haha, there pretty stiff and bouncy right now, but they worked good |
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