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V8 screwed up alignment


Daniel Black

Well-Known Member
V8 Engine Swap
Joined
Jan 28, 2017
Messages
288
City
Leicester, NC
Vehicle Year
1987
Engine
Transmission
Manual
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.
 
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..

moog-car-suspension-parts-k80109-64_1000.jpg
 
I love those bushings. Go to a different shop in any case.
 
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.
 
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.
 
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.
 
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).
 
@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
 
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.
 
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
 
i thought it should the load rating.thank u for the assist bird76mojo
 

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