05/20/2023
Cody Jones
The classic Ford F-100 and F-150 platform presents some unique challenges when setting out to build a coil-over suspension system that delivers the ride and handling people have come to expect from a Ridetech suspension system.
The old Ford was designed and built for a different era – back when the speed limit was 55 and trucks were meant to work hard. While the original twin I-beam front suspension was certainly built “Ford tough,” but it wasn’t exactly built to carve corners.
The front suspension of these trucks are particularly problematic to get lowered… and we like our trucks low. So we set out to design the best handling classic Ford truck suspension – and build it in a package you can install yourself with hand tools and a little elbow grease.
Our complete bolt-in suspension system for the classic Ford trucks removes the entire factory front cross member in favor of our bolt-on front crossmember…
Yes, we said bolt-on… we have built our front suspension for the Ford truck to be bolted in, and it is super stout… significantly more rigid and stronger than the original. It aligns with the original rivet holes in the frame and requires additional drilling for the many grade 8 fasteners we include in the kit.
This system utilizes the popular (and easy to find) “Fox Mustang” style steering rack. The control arms are set up with the ball joints installed and include Delrin bushings for smooth, squeak-free, long-lasting performance. They also provide options for caster, so you can set your truck up as aggressively as you want. Compared to other salvage-yard / crown vic options or street rod sourced front suspension systems, the Ridetech system is significantly more structurally sound and provides un-compromised suspension geometry for vastly superior ride and handling and the simplicity of keeping your factory frame. https://bit.ly/3ls1D9W