'92 Flareside mods
#1
05-06-2010, 02:17 PM
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'92 Flareside mods
Hey guys,
Haven't been on for a while. Been busy at work and also doing some mods that didn't need a whole lot of info exchange.
On my '92 Flareside I added front and rear sway bars, rescued from the junkyard. Swapped out the front spring seats from a '92 F250 that had originally had a sway bar, though it had been wrecked in the front and the bar was bent badly, (perfect center shot on a tree or power pole.) The seats were fine and work nicely on my truck, which did not come with a factory bar. I got a 1" one off a '93 Bronco that was in good shape, though I had to weld some angle iron mounting brackets to the inside of the frame rails for the bushings, right onto the original brackets but turned to the inside. The factory brackets were turned to the outside and the Bronco sway bar is a little shorter between the 90* bends than a regular F series bar. I couldn't find a good one of those at my local yard. But it has worked out nicely, made a big difference in handling. And while I had all that apart I added a set of Air-Lift 1000 airbags to the coil springs and new shocks. And all new Energy Suspension bushings.
The rear bar from the F250 was save-able, though a stout 1 1/8", and fit right on. All I needed there were some smaller 3 1/4" u-bolts, as the F250 had had a monster rear end and the bar had been mounted to the pumpkin unit with 5" u-bolts instead of to the axle tubes. But this worked out good also, as the bar bends allowed me to mount the smaller u-bolts around the axle tubes right next to the center unit of my smaller 8.8". All new bushings here also, and a set of Air-lift 5000 air bags w/pump. A set of Rancho 9000 adjustable shocks were a bit of a mistake as I had failed to notice that they were for vehicles with a 2" to 4" lift and now I only have about 4" of travel there. At 100 bucks each, an expensive oversight. I haven't had any bottoming yet but haven't hauled any heavy loads. I also added a frame mounted Reese hitch so I can pull my 7500 lb travel trailer. I'll have to see how that works out. Still have to add an electric brake actuator to my pedal and the extra lighting wiring before I can pull that thing.
It gets around corners pretty good now, though the ride is a bit stiff. I've found that if I keep the 32 gal rear fuel tank (from the '93 Bronco) full it helps quite a bit. Along with minimal pressure in the air bags.
Tires are next. I hate the Wild Country 31's that were on the truck when I bought it. They're noisy and steer poorly. This is a 2 wheel drive road truck and those are totally unsuitable. They have zero wear, tho, and maybe I can trade them off. I want some street 31's on the front (32's if they'll fit) and some all terrain 32's on the rear (33's if they will fit), as I like my back tires to be just a little fatter that the front ones. And the bigger I can go on the rear, the better my gears run out on the highway.
And I've been redoing the bad places of the paint job. Mostly the horizontal surfaces like the hood, roof and the tops of the rear fenders. Found a good Duplicolor paint match and it's coming out ok. I don't require a showroom finish, just all the same approx shade of red and sorta shiny. I do feel it needs an old school flame job in silver along the sides. Have been working on drawing out my own pattern. Made a little test photo using Paint to see how it would look. The colors are off a bit but you get the idea. Yea or nay?
Haven't been on for a while. Been busy at work and also doing some mods that didn't need a whole lot of info exchange.
On my '92 Flareside I added front and rear sway bars, rescued from the junkyard. Swapped out the front spring seats from a '92 F250 that had originally had a sway bar, though it had been wrecked in the front and the bar was bent badly, (perfect center shot on a tree or power pole.) The seats were fine and work nicely on my truck, which did not come with a factory bar. I got a 1" one off a '93 Bronco that was in good shape, though I had to weld some angle iron mounting brackets to the inside of the frame rails for the bushings, right onto the original brackets but turned to the inside. The factory brackets were turned to the outside and the Bronco sway bar is a little shorter between the 90* bends than a regular F series bar. I couldn't find a good one of those at my local yard. But it has worked out nicely, made a big difference in handling. And while I had all that apart I added a set of Air-Lift 1000 airbags to the coil springs and new shocks. And all new Energy Suspension bushings.
The rear bar from the F250 was save-able, though a stout 1 1/8", and fit right on. All I needed there were some smaller 3 1/4" u-bolts, as the F250 had had a monster rear end and the bar had been mounted to the pumpkin unit with 5" u-bolts instead of to the axle tubes. But this worked out good also, as the bar bends allowed me to mount the smaller u-bolts around the axle tubes right next to the center unit of my smaller 8.8". All new bushings here also, and a set of Air-lift 5000 air bags w/pump. A set of Rancho 9000 adjustable shocks were a bit of a mistake as I had failed to notice that they were for vehicles with a 2" to 4" lift and now I only have about 4" of travel there. At 100 bucks each, an expensive oversight. I haven't had any bottoming yet but haven't hauled any heavy loads. I also added a frame mounted Reese hitch so I can pull my 7500 lb travel trailer. I'll have to see how that works out. Still have to add an electric brake actuator to my pedal and the extra lighting wiring before I can pull that thing.
It gets around corners pretty good now, though the ride is a bit stiff. I've found that if I keep the 32 gal rear fuel tank (from the '93 Bronco) full it helps quite a bit. Along with minimal pressure in the air bags.
Tires are next. I hate the Wild Country 31's that were on the truck when I bought it. They're noisy and steer poorly. This is a 2 wheel drive road truck and those are totally unsuitable. They have zero wear, tho, and maybe I can trade them off. I want some street 31's on the front (32's if they'll fit) and some all terrain 32's on the rear (33's if they will fit), as I like my back tires to be just a little fatter that the front ones. And the bigger I can go on the rear, the better my gears run out on the highway.
And I've been redoing the bad places of the paint job. Mostly the horizontal surfaces like the hood, roof and the tops of the rear fenders. Found a good Duplicolor paint match and it's coming out ok. I don't require a showroom finish, just all the same approx shade of red and sorta shiny. I do feel it needs an old school flame job in silver along the sides. Have been working on drawing out my own pattern. Made a little test photo using Paint to see how it would look. The colors are off a bit but you get the idea. Yea or nay?
#3
05-07-2010, 08:45 AM
Guys, I came accross your postings...I am looking at a 92 with the 4.9 six shooter and 5sp manual on the floor.
2wd version. What if anything I should be looking out for? Better half has looked at it so of course I don't have any real info.
did they switch to fuel injection with this year or throttle body injection? Electronic ignition?
What do you think for aver mpgs?
Thanks!
Scott
2wd version. What if anything I should be looking out for? Better half has looked at it so of course I don't have any real info.
did they switch to fuel injection with this year or throttle body injection? Electronic ignition?
What do you think for aver mpgs?
Thanks!
Scott
#4
05-07-2010, 08:52 AM
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#5
05-07-2010, 12:07 PM
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My grandchildren would love it.
senix,
I'd take a good look at that 5-speed. If it's the Mazda one, you need to check it's fluid level and see if it's been maintained. They are famous for losing their fluid due to the shrinkage of 3 rubber plugs that were used to seal openings in the tranny case. This actually happened to my bro. He never changed or checked the fluid, he simply looked at the exterior for leaks. Seeing none, he thought he was ok. The thing locked in 5th on him and was ruined.
senix,
I'd take a good look at that 5-speed. If it's the Mazda one, you need to check it's fluid level and see if it's been maintained. They are famous for losing their fluid due to the shrinkage of 3 rubber plugs that were used to seal openings in the tranny case. This actually happened to my bro. He never changed or checked the fluid, he simply looked at the exterior for leaks. Seeing none, he thought he was ok. The thing locked in 5th on him and was ruined.
#6
05-07-2010, 12:14 PM
My grandchildren would love it.
senix,
I'd take a good look at that 5-speed. If it's the Mazda one, you need to check it's fluid level and see if it's been maintained. They are famous for losing their fluid due to the shrinkage of 3 rubber plugs that were used to seal openings in the tranny case. This actually happened to my bro. He never changed or checked the fluid, he simply looked at the exterior for leaks. Seeing none, he thought he was ok. The thing locked in 5th on him and was ruined.
senix,
I'd take a good look at that 5-speed. If it's the Mazda one, you need to check it's fluid level and see if it's been maintained. They are famous for losing their fluid due to the shrinkage of 3 rubber plugs that were used to seal openings in the tranny case. This actually happened to my bro. He never changed or checked the fluid, he simply looked at the exterior for leaks. Seeing none, he thought he was ok. The thing locked in 5th on him and was ruined.
#7
05-07-2010, 12:29 PM
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#9
05-07-2010, 03:28 PM
Senior User
#11
05-08-2010, 07:38 PM
Hey guys,
Haven't been on for a while. Been busy at work and also doing some mods that didn't need a whole lot of info exchange.
On my '92 Flareside I added front and rear sway bars, rescued from the junkyard. Swapped out the front spring seats from a '92 F250 that had originally had a sway bar, though it had been wrecked in the front and the bar was bent badly, (perfect center shot on a tree or power pole.) The seats were fine and work nicely on my truck, which did not come with a factory bar. I got a 1" one off a '93 Bronco that was in good shape, though I had to weld some angle iron mounting brackets to the inside of the frame rails for the bushings, right onto the original brackets but turned to the inside. The factory brackets were turned to the outside and the Bronco sway bar is a little shorter between the 90* bends than a regular F series bar. I couldn't find a good one of those at my local yard. But it has worked out nicely, made a big difference in handling. And while I had all that apart I added a set of Air-Lift 1000 airbags to the coil springs and new shocks. And all new Energy Suspension bushings.
The rear bar from the F250 was save-able, though a stout 1 1/8", and fit right on. All I needed there were some smaller 3 1/4" u-bolts, as the F250 had had a monster rear end and the bar had been mounted to the pumpkin unit with 5" u-bolts instead of to the axle tubes. But this worked out good also, as the bar bends allowed me to mount the smaller u-bolts around the axle tubes right next to the center unit of my smaller 8.8". All new bushings here also, and a set of Air-lift 5000 air bags w/pump. A set of Rancho 9000 adjustable shocks were a bit of a mistake as I had failed to notice that they were for vehicles with a 2" to 4" lift and now I only have about 4" of travel there. At 100 bucks each, an expensive oversight. I haven't had any bottoming yet but haven't hauled any heavy loads. I also added a frame mounted Reese hitch so I can pull my 7500 lb travel trailer. I'll have to see how that works out. Still have to add an electric brake actuator to my pedal and the extra lighting wiring before I can pull that thing.
It gets around corners pretty good now, though the ride is a bit stiff. I've found that if I keep the 32 gal rear fuel tank (from the '93 Bronco) full it helps quite a bit. Along with minimal pressure in the air bags.
Tires are next. I hate the Wild Country 31's that were on the truck when I bought it. They're noisy and steer poorly. This is a 2 wheel drive road truck and those are totally unsuitable. They have zero wear, tho, and maybe I can trade them off. I want some street 31's on the front (32's if they'll fit) and some all terrain 32's on the rear (33's if they will fit), as I like my back tires to be just a little fatter that the front ones. And the bigger I can go on the rear, the better my gears run out on the highway.
And I've been redoing the bad places of the paint job. Mostly the horizontal surfaces like the hood, roof and the tops of the rear fenders. Found a good Duplicolor paint match and it's coming out ok. I don't require a showroom finish, just all the same approx shade of red and sorta shiny. I do feel it needs an old school flame job in silver along the sides. Have been working on drawing out my own pattern. Made a little test photo using Paint to see how it would look. The colors are off a bit but you get the idea. Yea or nay?
Haven't been on for a while. Been busy at work and also doing some mods that didn't need a whole lot of info exchange.
On my '92 Flareside I added front and rear sway bars, rescued from the junkyard. Swapped out the front spring seats from a '92 F250 that had originally had a sway bar, though it had been wrecked in the front and the bar was bent badly, (perfect center shot on a tree or power pole.) The seats were fine and work nicely on my truck, which did not come with a factory bar. I got a 1" one off a '93 Bronco that was in good shape, though I had to weld some angle iron mounting brackets to the inside of the frame rails for the bushings, right onto the original brackets but turned to the inside. The factory brackets were turned to the outside and the Bronco sway bar is a little shorter between the 90* bends than a regular F series bar. I couldn't find a good one of those at my local yard. But it has worked out nicely, made a big difference in handling. And while I had all that apart I added a set of Air-Lift 1000 airbags to the coil springs and new shocks. And all new Energy Suspension bushings.
The rear bar from the F250 was save-able, though a stout 1 1/8", and fit right on. All I needed there were some smaller 3 1/4" u-bolts, as the F250 had had a monster rear end and the bar had been mounted to the pumpkin unit with 5" u-bolts instead of to the axle tubes. But this worked out good also, as the bar bends allowed me to mount the smaller u-bolts around the axle tubes right next to the center unit of my smaller 8.8". All new bushings here also, and a set of Air-lift 5000 air bags w/pump. A set of Rancho 9000 adjustable shocks were a bit of a mistake as I had failed to notice that they were for vehicles with a 2" to 4" lift and now I only have about 4" of travel there. At 100 bucks each, an expensive oversight. I haven't had any bottoming yet but haven't hauled any heavy loads. I also added a frame mounted Reese hitch so I can pull my 7500 lb travel trailer. I'll have to see how that works out. Still have to add an electric brake actuator to my pedal and the extra lighting wiring before I can pull that thing.
It gets around corners pretty good now, though the ride is a bit stiff. I've found that if I keep the 32 gal rear fuel tank (from the '93 Bronco) full it helps quite a bit. Along with minimal pressure in the air bags.
Tires are next. I hate the Wild Country 31's that were on the truck when I bought it. They're noisy and steer poorly. This is a 2 wheel drive road truck and those are totally unsuitable. They have zero wear, tho, and maybe I can trade them off. I want some street 31's on the front (32's if they'll fit) and some all terrain 32's on the rear (33's if they will fit), as I like my back tires to be just a little fatter that the front ones. And the bigger I can go on the rear, the better my gears run out on the highway.
And I've been redoing the bad places of the paint job. Mostly the horizontal surfaces like the hood, roof and the tops of the rear fenders. Found a good Duplicolor paint match and it's coming out ok. I don't require a showroom finish, just all the same approx shade of red and sorta shiny. I do feel it needs an old school flame job in silver along the sides. Have been working on drawing out my own pattern. Made a little test photo using Paint to see how it would look. The colors are off a bit but you get the idea. Yea or nay?
Did i read that right bronco gas tank on your truck?? i didnt know we could do that, my truck so annoying i only have single tank truck.
#12
05-17-2010, 09:52 PM
Rob,
I was at the local pic n pull this weekend and came across a complete rear sway bar on an F250. I wasn't able to get it at the time but will go back. I have a 92 F150 flareside and am concerned if the rear sway bar from the F250 will easily bolt on. The U-bolts for the sway bar fit between two "ears" on the axle of the F250. I found another one on a Bronco from the same generation as my truck but like the idea of having the heavier F250 bar. What are your thoughts and/or experiences getting this to work? Thanks.
I was at the local pic n pull this weekend and came across a complete rear sway bar on an F250. I wasn't able to get it at the time but will go back. I have a 92 F150 flareside and am concerned if the rear sway bar from the F250 will easily bolt on. The U-bolts for the sway bar fit between two "ears" on the axle of the F250. I found another one on a Bronco from the same generation as my truck but like the idea of having the heavier F250 bar. What are your thoughts and/or experiences getting this to work? Thanks.
#13
05-18-2010, 08:10 AM
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It's been working out ok for me, increased the range to a bit over 400 miles.
I'm going to work on it some today, I'll take a few pics and post them.
Rob
Last edited by robprime; 05-18-2010 at 04:50 PM. Reason: Correction
#14
05-18-2010, 08:56 AM
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Rob,
I was at the local pic n pull this weekend and came across a complete rear sway bar on an F250. I wasn't able to get it at the time but will go back. I have a 92 F150 flareside and am concerned if the rear sway bar from the F250 will easily bolt on. The U-bolts for the sway bar fit between two "ears" on the axle of the F250. I found another one on a Bronco from the same generation as my truck but like the idea of having the heavier F250 bar. What are your thoughts and/or experiences getting this to work? Thanks.
I was at the local pic n pull this weekend and came across a complete rear sway bar on an F250. I wasn't able to get it at the time but will go back. I have a 92 F150 flareside and am concerned if the rear sway bar from the F250 will easily bolt on. The U-bolts for the sway bar fit between two "ears" on the axle of the F250. I found another one on a Bronco from the same generation as my truck but like the idea of having the heavier F250 bar. What are your thoughts and/or experiences getting this to work? Thanks.
I'll take a couple pics of that also. It certainly has firmed up the handling but the ride is seriously stiff. I paid $20 for the complete bar set, 20 for new poly bushings, and 20 to have the notches deepened. So about $60 total for a servicable factory Ford rear bar. Can't beat that.
Rob
