83 F100 Upgrade

[Bisquik1959]

Ha! I said heavy acceleration in my old 302. Its too early in the morning to be writing posts 🤣🤣🤣

[Bisquik1959]

Had to put a starter in the old girl. The bendix was getting stuck. Still on hold for the engine swap because its sand dune season. Gotta get all the cars ready and maintenanced. I will get back to the swap when the season gets up and rolling or the engine finally gives out. Which ever comes first.

[kramttocs]

No more cutting out on you though?

[Bisquik1959]

Forgot about that... changed the fuel filter and have not had a repeat of the cutting out and I jave put over 1k miles on it since then. Thanks again

[Gary Lewis]

Excellent!  

[ArdWrknTrk]

Yes, excellent!

You're racking up some miles on the old girl.  

[Bisquik1959]

I generally do about 30k a year going back and forth to work. So it adds up fast.

[Bisquik1959]

Today I replaced some worn out and noisy belts and finally got around to installing a front sway bar. I had to use weld on tabs for the beam mount since this truck never had one. I still need to fab up a set of brackets to get the rear bar on. One should help with handling, two will be even better.


Can't figure out why the pic is sideways lol.

[85lebaront2]

Two things, I like your Dodge, brings back memories of one I helped a friend with. He kept it in the family too, 360 Mopar with a Torqueflite 727. Used a Mustang II front suspension kit and a Ford 9" in the rear. We nearly went crazy trying to find a 12V wiper motor and linkage for it. He actually bought a Mopar Performance ignition kit and we hid the box and starter relay under a nice stainless steel cover.

Second, I like your old reliable 83 F100, is it 4WD or was that when Ford went to the stamped twin I beams? I found on my 1986 F350 that the sway bar attaching points were stamped pieces that went under the spring seats.

[Gary Lewis]

Did you notice a change with just the front?

[Bisquik1959]

Thanks for the comments on the Dodge. I hid my ignition module in the cab. I am trying to keep all that stuff hidden. I might even hide the coil in the cab too.
As for the F100, its a 2wd with the stamped beams.
The 83 had very similar sway bar mounts, but I couldn't find any so I just fabbed up a set. Same as I will do in the rear. I am not paying 100 on eBay for a bolt on bracket.
Gary,
   Not sure yet. I have been busy servicing buggy CV's all day and haven't had a chance to drive it yet. But it has to make a difference!

[FuzzFace2]

Gary Lewis wrote

Did you notice a change with just the front?

Yes do report how it works with just the front.

Being I have cast beams there is no welding to them like that.
There was someone that made them that was pretty cool just cant remember where I seen it?
I do have an extra set of spring cups and guess I could use them to make something that would work.
First I need to come up with a bar and front & rear would be even better.
Dave ----

[85lebaront2]

You might try Green Sales, but you need the Ford PN to search their site. That's where I got mine from.

[Bisquik1959]

Dave,
   The cast beams can be welded to, you just need to preheat and use the right rod. We weld steel core plugs into cast engine blocks at work with the stuff. I would have to check what rod we use, because the number is escaping me at the minute. But I would agree if the correct parts are easily available, thats the way to go!

[Bisquik1959]

Gary,
   Just took her for a spin. Not ready for road racing, but noticeable over stock with no bar! Less body roll. Now to get the rear fabbed up.

And here is the stuff we use for welding cast to steel.

[FuzzFace2]

Bisquik1959 wrote

Dave,
   The cast beams can be welded to, you just need to preheat and use the right rod. We weld steel core plugs into cast engine blocks at work with the stuff. I would have to check what rod we use, because the number is escaping me at the minute. But I would agree if the correct parts are easily available, thats the way to go!

I knew you could weld cast and it needed to be heated and that is where the trouble is.
I don't have a torch other than MAP gas and no stick welder.
With my MIG I could make up something that would use the extra lower spring plates but I need to get a bar before I can even try to make something.
Dave ----

[Gary Lewis]

Good to know!  Thanks.

[Bisquik1959]

With smaller diameter steering wheel comes the need for a shorter turn signal lever to be more comfy. Took off about 1 1/2" and rethreaded. 10 minute job that feels better and was free.

[kramttocs]

Nicely done!

[Gary Lewis]

Yes, nicely done!  It looks perfect.