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PLEASE READ
INSTRUCTIONS THOROUGHLY BEFORE BEGINNING INSTALLATION
All that is
required are a few careful measurements to locate the crossmember and
the spring mounts correctly on your chassis before welding them into
position. Minor trimmings may be necessary for some variations in the
frame. We recommend that all of the welding should be done by a
qualified welder using the proper techniques. We also recommend that the
initial and subsequent wheel alignment should be done by a qualified
alignment shop. If you have any questions, Please Call our Tech and
Information line 1-800-979-4278.
1. PREPARING THE
FRAME:
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Remove all of
the old suspension and steering components and mark the axle
centerline on frame.
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Do not remove
any crossmember except a slight trimming on the rear side of front
crossmember on the 55-59 Chevy pickup is necessary to clear the
rack & pinion.
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Clean the
frame of any dirt/rust and weld on the supplied boxing plates.
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Finish grind
all welds.
2. INTALLING THE
CROSSMEMBER
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Fit the
crossmember squarely on the top of the rails with the rack & pinion
mount facing to the front of the car. The centerline of the cross
member should inline with the axle Centerline (Figure #4).
-
The bottom of
the crossmember should be parallel to the ground with the frame
sitting at ride height (front & rear).
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Inside
measurement between frame rails should be 29. If there is any gap,
this can be filled with by adding shim plates equally on both sides.
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Basic location
of axle centerline is given in figure #3, check your wheel base to
determine your particular application.
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On the 53-56
Ford Pickup, the axle centerline may need to move forward 1 Ό to
center the wheel inside the fenders. Please check your own
application.
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Tack weld
lower crossmember.
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If you are
using Total cost involveds tubular lower control arms
A.
Drill the lower control arm holes in the crossmember to 5/8
B.
Position the longer steel spacer on the rear side of the crossmember
(using the lower control arm mounting bolts
through the crossmember as alingement guide) with the reinforcing gusset
mounted horizontally toward the engine. C. Tack weld the spacer
and gusset together and to the crossmember.
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Double Check
all measurements including wheel base dimension and diagonally for
squareness.
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Final weld the
crossmember to the frame on all sides.
3. INSTALLING
SPRING MOUNTS.
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Position the
spring mounts on the top, outside edges of the frame rails, with its
centers directly over the center of the lower crossmember to frame
on all sides.
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The distance
between the middle of upper control arm adjusting slots should be
around 32 Ό. Adjust the hat in or out of the frame by trimming or
adding shim where the hat meets the sides of the frame.
-
To determine
the left and right sides, the spring mounts should sit slightly
lower in the rear to maintain the proper antidive geometry.
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Tack both
spring mounts in place, double check your measurements (also
diagonally for squareness).
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Mock up the
upper control arm, lower control arm and spindles, raise or lower
the spindles until the lower control arm is horizontal to the ground
and check the wheel camber. Make sure there in enough adjustment to
set the spindle at 0 degree camber.
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Final weld
spring mounts to the frame on both sides.
4. COMPONENTS
ASSEMBLY
·
Install the lower control arms and strut rods, if applicable, into the
crossmember. Tubular control arms should be mounted with the shock bolts
toward the rear side.
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Install the upper control arms, with the serrated side of the cross
shaft facing down, using the special button head bolt, FORD
#385713-S-101.
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Install the coil springs and spindles, with the steering arms toward the
front side.
·
Install brake rotors, calipers and brackets, rack & pinion steering
unit, and shock absorbers.
5. SUSPENSION
ALIGNMENT
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Set ride
height so lower control arms are horizontal to the ground and align
the wheel with the following specifications:
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Camber at 0
degrees
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Caster at 1
degree
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Toe in at
1/16
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