conbon

Hello. So I might be trading my 98 Ford Contour for a 1993 2WD F150 with the 351/auto soon. I need a work truck because I'ms tepping up my grass cutting business this summer, trying to make more money to start saving towards college/post secondary education. But I figured if I make enough money, why not make the truck look good too.

Here's what I'm thinking:
- DJM lowering kit (3" front, 5" rear)
- replace all bushings with new Energy Suspension
- new springs front and rear
- replace and bolts that mgith need it with nice SS ones
- maybe some SS brake lines, new pads, and a flush/bleed

Question number one: http://store.summitracing.com/partde...590+4294908395
I see the DJM kit comes with new radius arms for front, flipped brackets for rear, and new struts all around. So I'm guessing your supposed to reuse your stock springs front and rear......well I would want to replace the ones on the truck because they have 160k on them. I'm wondering what people would suggest to replace these with? I was looking on Rock Auto, and they seem to have a lot of options. I guess I would want somethinga little stiffer then stock rates (idk what stock rates are though) so I won't encounter any rubbing with it lower. Basically, if you guys were doing this, what would you do?

Question number two: Are there any Stainless Steel brake lines available for our generation of trucks? If so, can you link me......please? Also what pads would you guys suggest using?

If I can save up any more money, I plan on getting:
- wheels/nice rubbers
- homegrown CAI setup
- full dual exhaust, including headers and H-pipe, probably Flows
- Line-X the bed (black) and get a nice locking, chrome toolbox
-and lastly maybe I'll think about changing the oil, but that's not very important (just kidding guys)

Let me know what you guys think. I promise if I do get the truck, I'll clean it and get some pictures up ASAP. Well, I gotta go back out and pass out flyers to try and get more lawn customers (gotta pay for 5mpg somehow).

Thanks, Connor

conbon

Oh ya, I forgot I would also be replacing front upper and lower ball joints. WHich ones off of Rock Auto would you guys suggest?

Thanks again, Connor

DixieDarkhorse

I djm lowering kit for the front is new i beams, not radius arms, just so you know. There are not alot of options as far as the front springs go, but you'll be fine with stock ones. You can get stiffer ones but i always liked the ride with the stock spring. stock rears are just fine too, i really don't know of any options there besides like helper springs.
never seen any pre bent stainless brake lines for our trucks, why do you want to change to those?
Moog suspension components are the best in my opinion (ball joints, etc)

conbon

Stock brake lines are rubber, when fluid is pump into the rubber brake lines, they expand and your brakes feal mushy (most people don't notice though). When you get SS lines, they are the same rubber hose, only wrapped in a braided SS "case" that doesn't let ythe rubber expand, therefore stiffer brake pedal feal and better braking performance.

I've seen a lot of MOOG, I'll probably end up going with them.

Do you know what the stock spring rates are though? Because I'm sure after 160K miles they are gonna be pretty soft. Even my mom's truck with 67K is really soft. So i'll probably end up going with stiffer springs anyways.

Thanks, Connor

Darth Bama

Like Dixie said, you'll be fine with the stock springs with the new I-beams. I use to have a 90 XLT that had lowered I-beams and it rode great with the stock springs. Sounds to me like you're basically doing a one over on the suspension, not a bad idea on a 93 model.

Good luck and I'd like to see some pics when you're done.

conbon

My mom gave me the okay to meet up with the guy this saturday to check over the truck.

Any major problems I should be looking for on one of these trucks? I know my mom's has some rust right at the top of the rear wheel wells, and I think this one does too, and so did our last pre-97 F250.....so i'm guessing that's a common problem. Anything else I should keep an eye out for?

Here's te link to his craigslist ad:
http://stlouis.craigslist.org/cto/1061327321.html

I don't think it looks sketchy at all. I've talked to the guy and he gave me his full name and phone number, and he's from a legit part of town, nothing really sketchy.

DixieDarkhorse

That makes more sense on the brake lines, i thought you wanted to do the whole truck in stainless line. I call the hard line "lines" and the hoses "hoses" and just specify whether the rubber or braided stainless, just a different lingo, thats all. I'm not sure on the stock spring rate but i'm going to find out soon. Anyways good luck with your truck.