Coil Bucket overkill?

Phillippi · Post by **Phillippi** » Tue Nov 21, 2006 11:18 pm

Ok believe it or not, I have been working on the bronco a little, but I wanted to know if I am doing this overkill or not. So far I have the coil buckets on with 3 grade 8 bolts under the bottom of the frame and 2 through the face of the bucket. Is 4 grade 8 bolts enought or should I drill for another? Also when lining up the radius arms, I was going to bolt up the coils to the bucket and the axle and then raise up the radius arms to mark and drill to bolt them. Sound about right?

(in case everyone forgot due to time, its a d44 coil setup.)

Then after the front is setup I will drop in the engine (for storage only) and move the b2 as we are moving. Anyway I feel good about getting something done. Pics will follow sometime.

tekatlarge · Post by **tekatlarge** » Wed Nov 22, 2006 4:48 pm

Hey Phillippi,

Sounds like you are on the right track. The only thing I would change would be to let all of the vehicle weight set on the springs and front end. Since you don't have the Motor installed you need to anticipate how much lower the chassis will set when you add the weight of the motor.. I find the standard amount of squat is about 2 to 3 inches.

The radius arms really need to be set up at ride height. Ride height is just what it implies, The height of the chassis above the ground with it ready to drive away. set the weight of the frame on the springs and then subtract 2 to 3 inches to finally find ride height. An alternative is to set the weight on the suspension and use a "come-along" to compress the suspension 2 to 3 inches and then set your radius arms up.

Anyway good luck and I wish you a quick and semi painless move..

ranger5.0 · Post by **ranger5.0** » Wed Nov 22, 2006 8:22 pm

I played by luck and bolted my radius arms to the frame where they sat. So far they look right. I used 77 f-150 brackets and they lined up with the second hole of the previous radius arm bracket.(with the front hole of the bracket) My coil buckets had two bolt from the bottom up and 4 bolts through the side of the frame. That was the stock setup. I welded mine on though and used the bolt hole as plug welds.

DBrown · Post by **DBrown** » Thu Nov 23, 2006 6:20 am

are they factory buckets off another truck?

Phillippi · Post by **Phillippi** » Thu Nov 23, 2006 10:46 am

They are off a mid 70s EB. Not sure on exact year tho.

DBrown · Post by **DBrown** » Fri Nov 24, 2006 9:50 am

were those welded on?

if they were bolted I would just bolt them up the way they were on the full size.

I want to say the 78 buckets I got have either 4 or 6 bolts. 2 on the bottom and the other ones were on the sides. I don't think you would be in bad shape depending on what size bolts you put in.

Joel H · Post by **Joel H** » Fri Nov 24, 2006 10:00 am

F150 buckets with shockmount cut off.

2 through the side and one under 1/2" gr.8

Phillippi · Post by **Phillippi** » Fri Nov 24, 2006 10:53 am

Originals were welded on, but I bolted them both on with 3 in the face and 2 under. I used grade 8, 1/2" bolts on all. I am guessing I overkilled it, but I wanted to be sure.

As far as lining up the radius arms, I dont have an engine hoist so I cannot set the engine in right now, but I finally have time to work on the truck. How off would I be doing it without the engine in it? I could just try to load a bunch of crap into the engine bay for weight only and then line it up.

Joel H · Post by **Joel H** » Fri Nov 24, 2006 11:08 am

Phillippi wrote: I could just try to load a bunch of crap into the engine bay for weight only and then line it up.

That sounds like a good idea.