F350 suspension drop

[Chanecat]

Hi, I own a 1986 f350 single cab 2wd truck. I was wanting to lower the front but can only find lowering beams for the 80-86 f150 and 87-96 f250/f350. I guess the 87 and up use ball joints and the 86 and down use kingpins. From the looks of the 1986 ford diagram it shows that the f150 and f350 have the same twin I beam set up. Would the f150 lowering beams work with my f350? Any info would help, thanks!

[Gary Lewis]

Chance - Welcome to the forum!

As said on FB, I don't know the answer to your question, so I'll use this post to suggest some things.  First, make sure you go to the New Members Start Here folder, as requested in the email I sent you, and at least read the guidelines if not post in there to introduce yourself.

Second, over time we'll forget what truck you have unless you put the details in a signature.  So either we won't answer your questions 'cause we don't want to go back and try to find out, or we will give you a bad answer because we assumed it was another truck.  So a signature is highly recommended.

Last, we have a member's map (Bullnose Forum/Member's Map in the menu), and I'd be happy to add you if you'll give me the town in which you live.  Who knows, you may be in the same town as one of us and we can help each other.

[salans7]

I've had both a kingpin F100, and a kingpin F250 and although the mounting points are the same, I remember the section where the steering knuckle mounts being much beefier on the F250 than the F100.

[85lebaront2]

Short answer NO, the F150 in 1986 had ball joints, yours should be king pins just like mine is. Problems with lowering these trucks, the twin I-beam system changes camber and to a lesser degree caster as the suspension works, lowering it by shortening the coil springs and possibly shaving the stop blocks will put your front wheels in a negative camber (you'll look like the ricers in their honduhs that have been "stanced"). Unfortunately in order to adjust camber on these trucks, requires bending the axles. There were very few shops that had the equipment and knowledge when these trucks were new, probably very few of them are still around and in business.

The F350 axles are pretty damn hefty due to the weight potential. If you go to the newer axles, be sure you get F250 HD or F350 ones, and you will need the matching spindles and probably front brakes too. These heavier pickups from Ford sit higher than brands C, D and G, in fact mine is about the same height as a 4WD Chevy.

[Chanecat]

Yeah I don’t want to use shorter coils. So the easiest way to lower the front would be to pull a front end out of an 87 or up 350?

[85lebaront2]

The stock front end is not going to sit any lower with a newer system.