1st post----hillbilly lift & alignment problems

[novaman_68]

I just got this truck a week ago---(97 F250 4x4 PSD) and it is wearing tires.
I tried to get it in the pics, but it has WAY too much negative camber(tires tilted in at the top when viewed from the front of the truck). It is very obvious when looking at it in person. My question is----Can this thing be aligned? Or is something totally worn out? I attached pics of the homemade brackets that attach to the I-beam pivots. I think if these were taken out it would fix the problem....does that sound right?
On another note, this is my first diesel of any kind and I love it so far. It is bone stock and I have been reading up on mods and I'm making a list. But the front end has to be taken care of 1st.
Thanks, Kip

[2006PSDSD]

Ball joints are trash

[2006PSDSD]

If you want it fixed right, do a Dana 60 swap . The TTB suspension sucks!

[jethro]

agreed replace ball joints or just put a dana 60 under the front end

[BGJ]

Welcome to the Org Novaman!! (hi nickster)

[alberta 7.3]

That looks like a MAJOR safety issue. What is keeping the pivot drop bracket from moving side-to-side when steering?? I wouldn't drive that until it is fixed. How many leafs are on the front springs? It may have had an add-a-leaf to lift it, which is now sagged out, causing the fubar camber. Seriously, I'd take out those brackets, look over the springs, check the ball joints and tie rods for wear. If you want the taller stance, buy a lift kit with the right parts to replace the previous owners backyard engineering.

[novaman_68]

I tried to find play in the ball joints, and I can't really find any. The brackets in the pics are welded to the x-member, so they don't move around. I think the truck has new springs (or lift springs). There are 2 main leafs and 3-4 others, it is not sagging at all. The steering components look new and are in good shape. The truck has skyjacker shocks and I think lift springs. The only thing I see that isn't right is the cobbled together pivot brackets. I need to call around and see if I can buy just the brackets by themselves. The truck actually drives and rides decent, believe it or not.

[alberta 7.3]

You may be able to buy the brackets separately. It will look better and give you some piece of mind. If everything is solid, there's probably more pivot drop that necessary. Once you swap in new pivot brackets, a good alignment shop should be able to use different alignment cams to get the camber to spec.

[novaman_68]

That's what I'm thinking....the brackets drop the pivot too much. Now I just need to figure out how much lift I actually have, so I can find the correct bracket.