'81 flareside 4x4 project

[Gary Lewis]

So the cabs were the same but had the filler panels?  I wonder if I can find them in the MPC?

[Rembrant]

Here's a couple other pictures I zoomed in on in case they are any help. I for some reason I didn't take many pictures of these filler panels.




When Ford re-released the Flareside in 1992, they used black plastic filler panels on the Flareside trucks, for all paint colors.

[Rembrant]

Gary Lewis wrote

So the cabs were the same but had the filler panels?  I wonder if I can find them in the MPC?

Gary yes, cabs were the same, they just added the little filler panels on the Flareside trucks to cover the big opening.

Not sure if they were ever available as a separate part since they were riveted in place and painted with the cab, but they should have been.

[81-F150-Explorer]

Your wish is my command Gary.

Located in the Body Section 260 / Page 6  of the Final MPC.

Body Filler Panel / Rear Lower Corner.

1980/1987: E0TZ-10277A48-A RH : Green Sales has 1 NOS.
1980/1987: E0TZ-10277A49-A LH : NOS Parts Waxahachie TX has 1 NOS.

Body Filler Seal / Rear Lower Corner:

1980/87: E0TZ-10277A50-A RH:
1980/87: E0TZ-10277A51-A LH:

No one has either of the seals NOS.

[nmchuck]

Wow you all are motivated!  Thanks so much, looks like I’ll be doing some looking online tonight. I also may take the same option Rembrandt did and make my own, although I don’t think I can get the same quality level!!

Thanks again, this website is full of great folks!

[Gary Lewis]

Well done, Ralph!  I've been going through the illustrations and didn't find it, but with your info I did:

[nmchuck]

Ok everyone, could use some collective thinking on my TTB front axle.  

I went to get the front end aligned and was told the frame was cracked and flexing. Welded it up an added a little reinforcement by the steering box.  Went back to the alignment shop and he said he couldn't figure it out. the camber is really out on the passenger side, the top of the tire is leaning out.  The passenger side is not too bad, close to correct.  It seems the spring is pushing the axle too far down on the passenger side, but is about correct on the driver's side.

The alignment shop told me I had the largest adjusting cams available on the truck, and there was no more adjustment available.  This truck has a four-inch lift that was installed before I bought it. I have always thought this truck is taller than what a four inch lift would provide.  I am wondering if maybe my springs are a six inch lift, but the axle ends are placed in the four inch position for the axle ends.  I do have new bushings for the pivot points, although I don't think they are too worn.

I may pull the springs to measure, but really don't know the length they should be.  Any ideas or experience anyone may have would be welcome.  I'll try to take some photos and post them tomorrow.

[nmchuck]

[mat in tn]

well at first glance the pivots are in the correct point for 4". you have the correct 4" lift springs. being that you have the anti-sway bar then you should have the correct spring seats yet there were some which had a flat sway bar bracket that mounted between the seat and the traction beam. if so then it is possible to have the incorrect spring seat which will do exactly this. just something to check.

[FuzzFace2]

Drop down pivot & radius brackets should get it to a point it could be adjusted I would think.
Dave ----

[nmchuck]

Here are close up pics of the sway bar and spring perches. Everything looks correct to me, but then I really don’t know what they are supposed to look like…:(

The other photo shows the fender opening height. This truck is on 305 70 16 (33”) tires. Is this what is expected with a 4” lift?

Thanks

[nmchuck]

Third picture mentioned above.

[mat in tn]

this looks a little odd to me. it almost looks as if the installer stacked two spring seats on top of each other. I hope someone with one of these truck without the lift kit will have a pic to compare or possibly even a diagram. if this is what happened it will definitely cause this issue.

[nmchuck]

That's a great suggestion Mat, I'll look through the documentation section.  Funny how the obvious escapes me sometimes!

Thanks

[nmchuck]

Based on this diagram maybe I have the snowplow option?

[mat in tn]

actually, look more closely. part number 5a307 is the spring seat that you should have yet it looks as if you have two in the pictures of your truck. try to get an even better close up of these parts if you can. another concern that comes to mind is the duplex bolt that screws into the ttb housing can only be so long before it interferes with the axle itself. therefore, if two spring seats are actually in place then that bolt may or may not be in its proper position. meaning it may be tight but only on a couple threads, waiting for the right pothole to break out and believe me, you don't want that! especially lifted!!!!!

[Rembrant]

That upper block is not a factory F150 piece...that's a lift spacer, home made or aftermarket.

[nmchuck]

I wish the sway bar page I posted above and this one were combined.  Part 5A307 are on both, and I do believe Mat and Rembrant may have this correct!

[mat in tn]

that is exactly the part I'm referring to. this can really throw off the camber by making it very positive.

[mat in tn]

look closely in the last diagram posted. part number ww-98-hm is a duplex bolt that threads through the front shock mount then the radius arm into the ttb housing. the threads are only about 1-1/4" to 1-1/2" long and it goes under the spring seat. my concern is why do I see so much of the top of this bolt if it is not an aftermarket piece or installed incorrectly. I fear that it may be installed holding the original spring seat also which weakens it tremendously by holding only on the end of the threads.