Forest Service Truck Coyote Swap

[Aerocoupe]

If you haven’t go here as I have gone through the whole rebuilding the LCA’s. From what I understand the aluminum units are not friendly to the forward bushing being pressed out and a new one pressed in. One of the guys on www.crownvic.net did it and they spun in the LCA which is no bueno. I have the steel LCA’s which in my experience rebuild very well.

https://www.fordification.com/forum/vie ... =5&t=88579

[miller]

Are the steel ones interchangeable with the aluminum ones? The junk yard has those also.

[Aerocoupe]

Yes, dimensionally they are identical. These suspensions had aluminum LCA's from 2003 to 2006.5 then the switch was made to steel until the end of the Panther platform in 2011. The educated guess on the switch is based on the cost of aluminum increasing during this time.

[miller]

IMG_0054.jpeg

Much better shape! Out of a 2003 Lincoln which is probably taken care of better than a PI. $100 bucks with lower control arms.

[hfdco4]

Sweet deal!

[miller]

Well its been awhile but here is where I'm at. Drove the truck for about a year just sold the inline six motor and tore the front end off it. I am getting ready to install a 2007 lincoln town car front end that I just found on Ebay with 42K miles. I'm going to sell my previous front end. I am finding its tough to find decent used parts in Wisconsin with all the salt we use. I purchase a 2014 F150 coyote motor with 6r80 and got it running on a stand. The rear end I decided on a ford 9 inch with 3.50 posi, ford explorer disc brakes, axles with same bolt pattern as front end and a triangulated 4 link.

IMG_1833.jpeg

IMG_1101.jpeg

[Jsupreme]

That's awesome!! Keep up the good work.

[miller]

1B1F96B5-43A4-4E08-9FC0-03D03E4A121F_1_201_a.jpeg

8221FFA2-5A1E-4E6D-9C6F-5A421BD8D927_1_201_a.jpeg

The lincoln front end showed up and I am happy with the condition. Removed the crush tubes from the frame with a hole saw. Getting a few as found measurements from the lincoln frame for the lower control arms. Center to center of the lower control arm bushings was at 32 5/8". I am going to try and get the F100 frame center section cut out this weekend.

[miller]

IMG_1964.jpeg

Brought home plasma cutter from work and got frame prepped for lincoln front end.

[miller]

Finished removal.

[390FE1972]

Looks like you are making great progress! Thanks for the update.

[hfdco4]

Looks clean and naked now.

[miller]

Measured from rear axle to my as found center on the front and found the center to be within 1/8" of the 114.8 factory wheel base spec. The square from rear axle to front is off about 1/4 inch, not too bad for a 50 year old truck in my opinion. Watched a bunch of you tube videos and read all the other threads on where to set this thing and its pretty much @ 22.1" from the center of the from core support mount and .525" from the edge of the front rivet hole to the center of the pin. Drilled my centering pins and set it down.

[bellamor]

It seems like everything is going well with this build. I am so excited to see the finished product.

[Ohiotinkerer]

Nice work - looks really good! Watching your progress for tips when I do mine!.........