Front end steering linkage help

Mwilliamshs

Explorer
I would be interested in seeing more of this front-end. Like the steering stabilizer's fixed-end mounting. This whole thing looks very "unique"
 

rdcolorado

Observer
front end 4.jpg

I can take some more pics if needed. Maybe you can see the fixed point in this pic. It's a tab welded onto the bottom of the spring hanger plate.
Did some sluething and found out the Van was converted by Tulsa Truck MFG. http://www.tulsatruckmfg.com/ They have some serious heavy duty trucks converted to 4X4!
I believe front springs are F-450 springs.
 

Mwilliamshs

Explorer
What's holding the (lower) draglink to the centerlink? I see something shiny there and what looks like a welded in boss (likely how they got the taper) but no nut, cotter key, etc as seen on the...uhm...other draglink?

8, no 9, make that 10 tie-rod-ends/pivoting-joints-of-some-kind? You coulda had 4wheel steering with that many!
 
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bdog1

Adventurer
Older Super Duty's used a leaf spring like that. (90's ish? Use to use them when doing a TTB swap to gain 6" lift)
No idea on length.

Start looking under 350 & 450's in the parking lots.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 

rdcolorado

Observer
By the time I took that picture I had already cut off the stud from the Tie rod because it was stripped and wobbling around. I stuck it back up there for the picture. There WAS a nut and cotter pin...
So I got this all back together with a custom tie rod end (a little customization from my grinder) and it actually drives very good. I purchased about 4 or 5 tie rod ends and tried them out before I ever got to the one that I could 'customize'. Thinking I might eventually change out those springs for some other Atlas springs and maybe some ujoint parts.
 

rdcolorado

Observer
Yep, I talked to a guy at Tulsa Truck and he is the one who told me he thought they were using 450 springs back in 2002. He is also supposed to look up some part numbers for me....for some of that front end linkage. They might have changed out some of those parts by now cuz I could not find that tie rod end to save my life!
 

Mwilliamshs

Explorer
90s F-Super Duty, if Pre-1999 anyway, was what's known as a F450 nowadays. Similar GVWRs, etc. F450s went 10 lug and 19.5s whereas F-Super Duty was 8 lug and still 16" wheels but otherwise, similar notions. Leaf sprung beam front axle, etc.
.
Front leaf spring specs from 1994-1997 F-Super Duty and [1988-1993 F-Super Duty] and (1999-2004 F450, F550, 2wd and 4wd):
.
Motorcraft # F4TZ5310AF4TA5310HA [E8TZ5310A and E8TA5310AA] (YC3Z5310AN and YC355310APC)
.
Width: 3" [3"] (3")
Length from centerpin to front eye: 23-7/8" [23-7/8"] (27-1/2")(measured flush with top spring)
Length from centerpin to rear eye: 28-3/8" [28-3/8"] (28-1/8")(ditto)
Arch: 6-1/4" [6-1/4"] (4-7/8")
# of leaves: 2 [2] (2")
Total thickness:1-9/16" [1-9/16"] (1-5/16")
Spring capacity: 2,250 lbs [2,250lbs] (2,630lbs)
 
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