• Welcome Visitor! Please take a few seconds and Register for our forum. Even if you don't want to post, you can still 'Like' and react to posts.

V8 screwed up alignment


Daniel Black

Active Member
V8 Engine Swap
Joined
Jan 28, 2017
Messages
288
Reaction score
44
Points
28
Location
Leicester, NC
Vehicle Year
1987
Make / Model
Ford
Engine Type
V8
Engine Size
302
Transmission
Manual
2WD / 4WD
2WD
Tire Size
205/60R15 & 225/60R15
I've been using my '87 2wd 302 as a daily driver for a while now and the steering was very heavy. My truck has manual steering and still has the 2.0 springs up front and stock suspension. The truck is squatted in the front with the tires cambered in at the top. I figured this squat had the toe screwed up. Stopped by the alignment shop and he says he can't get camber bushings for an '83-'88? Can I just get some 4.0 springs and call it good or would the camber still be off? I set the toe somewhat with a tape measure and the truck drives better but the inside of the front tires wont last long.
 


Bird76Mojo

Well-Known Member
V8 Engine Swap
Joined
Jun 28, 2009
Messages
2,633
Reaction score
1,264
Points
113
Location
IL
Engine Type
V8
Getting the exact springs to put the truck at the perfect height to correct the camber issue is very unlikely after an engine swap. However, getting some new springs would be a good thing as long as you don't mind the additional height they may add.

The alignment shop isn't trying very hard if he says he can't get the alignment bushings. He could call the local parts store and have them the same week easily. They probably just don't really know much about TTB suspension and don't care to mess with it.

Look on Rockauto for Moog adjustable alignment bushings. I hear that alignment techs hate them though..

 

bobbywalter

TRS Technical Staff
TRS Event Staff
V8 Engine Swap
TRS Technical Advisor
TRS Banner 2012-2015
TRS 20th Anniversary
Ugly Truck of Month
TRS Event Participant
Joined
Aug 9, 2007
Messages
23,470
Reaction score
4,667
Points
113
Location
woodhaven mi
Vehicle Year
1988
Make / Model
FORD mostly
Engine Type
V8
Engine Size
BIGGER
Transmission
Automatic
2WD / 4WD
4WD
Total Lift
sawzall?
Tire Size
33-44
My credo
it is easier to fix and understand than "her"
I love those bushings. Go to a different shop in any case.
 

adsm08

Senior Master Grease Monkey
Supporting Member
Article Contributor
Ford Technician
TRS 20th Anniversary
Joined
Sep 20, 2009
Messages
34,623
Reaction score
3,613
Points
113
Location
Dillsburg PA
Vehicle Year
1987
Make / Model
Ford
Engine Type
4.0 V6
Engine Size
4.0
Transmission
Manual
2WD / 4WD
4WD
Tire Size
31X10.50X15
The 83-88 2wd beams are screwy. The ball joints go in from the top, not the bottom like the 89+ beams, and have a much smaller ear. This limits the amount of camber adjustment rather severely compared to the 89+ 2wds. I went through this with my 87 2wd that someone had lifted on the cheap, and put 31s on. It had about 3.5 degrees of positive camber and the biggest bushing anyone makes only gives about 2 degrees of adjustment, even those dual adjusting ones that @Bird76Mojo pictured. SO what the shop may be trying to tell you isn't that they can't get any bushings, just not ones that are big enough.

Stiffer or longer springs that will bring the front end back to the original height would help, but if it was my truck I'd also be looking for a front axle from an 89 or later. I personally would probably be looking for one from a 95 to 97 for the bolt on calipers.
 

Daniel Black

Active Member
V8 Engine Swap
Joined
Jan 28, 2017
Messages
288
Reaction score
44
Points
28
Location
Leicester, NC
Vehicle Year
1987
Make / Model
Ford
Engine Type
V8
Engine Size
302
Transmission
Manual
2WD / 4WD
2WD
Tire Size
205/60R15 & 225/60R15
The 83-88 2wd beams are screwy. The ball joints go in from the top, not the bottom like the 89+ beams, and have a much smaller ear. This limits the amount of camber adjustment rather severely compared to the 89+ 2wds. I went through this with my 87 2wd that someone had lifted on the cheap, and put 31s on. It had about 3.5 degrees of positive camber and the biggest bushing anyone makes only gives about 2 degrees of adjustment, even those dual adjusting ones that @Bird76Mojo pictured. SO what the shop may be trying to tell you isn't that they can't get any bushings, just not ones that are big enough.

Stiffer or longer springs that will bring the front end back to the original height would help, but if it was my truck I'd also be looking for a front axle from an 89 or later. I personally would probably be looking for one from a 95 to 97 for the bolt on calipers.
I knew the ball joints were in the beams but I didn't think about it limiting camber adjustment. That makes since now because when the truck was a 4-cylinder I was looking for drop coil springs but they were only listed for '89-'97. Didn't make sense since I know the springs physically interchange. I guess I'll start looking for a 2WD 4.0 truck to get the springs out of or just buy new ones. I like the way the truck sits but it is very bouncy right now.
 

svtcards

Active Member
Supporting Member
V8 Engine Swap
Joined
Sep 4, 2017
Messages
826
Reaction score
137
Points
43
Age
46
Location
Lyman maine
Vehicle Year
1987
Make / Model
ford
Engine Type
V8
Engine Size
302
Transmission
Manual
2WD / 4WD
2WD
Total Drop
3'' front 4''back
Tire Size
245 35 18
my truck is lowered with ibeams in the front and i put regualar v6 springs on it which it had 4cyl ones b4 switch.not sure how much squat i will will have after v8 swap.hopefulley not to much.id look for the highest load springs they sell for 83-97.i think rockauto offers 1650lb load spring ones.thats the highest i could find.i think the highest in 83-88 is 1332lbs.which i currently have on now.might have to buy the 1650 ones but won't know until 302 is in.springs r only like 65.00.i wouldn't buy used for how cheap new ones r.
 

alwaysFlOoReD

Forum Staff Member
TRS Forum Moderator
TRS Banner 2012-2015
TRS 20th Anniversary
Joined
Apr 13, 2009
Messages
13,870
Reaction score
5,030
Points
113
Location
Calgary, Canada
Vehicle Year
'91, '80, '06
Make / Model
Ford, GMC,Dodge
Engine Size
4.0,4.0,5.7
Transmission
Manual
2WD / 4WD
4WD
my truck is lowered with ibeams in the front and i put regualar v6 springs on it which it had 4cyl ones b4 switch.not sure how much squat i will will have after v8 swap.hopefulley not to much.id look for the highest load springs they sell for 83-97.i think rockauto offers 1650lb load spring ones.thats the highest i could find.i think the highest in 83-88 is 1332lbs.which i currently have on now.might have to buy the 1650 ones but won't know until 302 is in.springs r only like 65.00.i wouldn't buy used for how cheap new ones r.
@svtcards
I think you are confusing front and rear spring loads. The 1650lbs springs you quote are rear leafspring. The front coil springs are usually in the neighborhood of 450 ppi (Pounds Per Inch).
 

Bird76Mojo

Well-Known Member
V8 Engine Swap
Joined
Jun 28, 2009
Messages
2,633
Reaction score
1,264
Points
113
Location
IL
Engine Type
V8
@svtcards
I think you are confusing front and rear spring loads. The 1650lbs springs you quote are rear leafspring. The front coil springs are usually in the neighborhood of 450 ppi (Pounds Per Inch).

https://www.rockauto.com/en/catalog/ford,1992,ranger,4.0l+v6,1137855,suspension,coil+spring,7512


MOOG CC866 Variable Rate; Sold in Pairs Info
Front; RWD; Heavy Duty


Bar Diameter (in)0.68
Bar Diameter (mm)17.40
End Type 1Squared
End Type 2Pigtail
Free Height (in)13.94
Free Height (mm)354.10
ID (in)3.50
ID (mm)88.90
Installation Height (in)10.50
Installation Height (mm)266.70
Load - lbs1650.00
Spring Rate - lbs per inch489.00
Spring TypeVariable Rate
 

alwaysFlOoReD

Forum Staff Member
TRS Forum Moderator
TRS Banner 2012-2015
TRS 20th Anniversary
Joined
Apr 13, 2009
Messages
13,870
Reaction score
5,030
Points
113
Location
Calgary, Canada
Vehicle Year
'91, '80, '06
Make / Model
Ford, GMC,Dodge
Engine Size
4.0,4.0,5.7
Transmission
Manual
2WD / 4WD
4WD
https://www.rockauto.com/en/catalog/ford,1992,ranger,4.0l+v6,1137855,suspension,coil+spring,7512


MOOG CC866 Variable Rate; Sold in Pairs Info
Front; RWD; Heavy Duty


Bar Diameter (in)0.68
Bar Diameter (mm)17.40
End Type 1Squared
End Type 2Pigtail
Free Height (in)13.94
Free Height (mm)354.10
ID (in)3.50
ID (mm)88.90
Installation Height (in)10.50
Installation Height (mm)266.70
Load - lbs1650.00
Spring Rate - lbs per inch489.00
Spring TypeVariable Rate
My mistake. I've never noticed the load rating before, I always went with the ppi.
 

RonD

Official TRS AI
TRS Technical Advisor
Joined
Jun 2, 2012
Messages
25,291
Reaction score
8,296
Points
113
Location
canada
Vehicle Year
1994
Make / Model
Ford
Transmission
Manual
Gross Camber is set by the distance between frame and beam/axle on that side
So if spring is weak the beam gets closer to the frame then axle gets angled up, so camber is changed

I know, Duh, but easier to visualize

Putting in better springs to get the proper distance back, ride height, would be where I would start
Unless you like it lowered a bit, lol
 

svtcards

Active Member
Supporting Member
V8 Engine Swap
Joined
Sep 4, 2017
Messages
826
Reaction score
137
Points
43
Age
46
Location
Lyman maine
Vehicle Year
1987
Make / Model
ford
Engine Type
V8
Engine Size
302
Transmission
Manual
2WD / 4WD
2WD
Total Drop
3'' front 4''back
Tire Size
245 35 18
i thought it should the load rating.thank u for the assist bird76mojo
 

Sponsored Ad


Sponsored Ad

Staff online

Member & Vendor Upgrades

For a small yearly donation, you can support this forum and receive a 'Supporting Member' banner, or become a 'Supporting Vendor' and promote your products here. Click the banner to find out how.

Truck of The Month


Kirby N.
March Truck of The Month

Recently Featured

Want to see your truck here? Share your photos and details in the forum.

Follow TRS On Instagram

TRS Events

25th Anniversary Sponsors

Check Out The TRS Store


Sponsored Ad


Sponsored Ad

Sponsored Ad


Amazon Deals

Top