1958 FC-170

[58-fc170]

Changed out the old Minneapolis
Moline low pressure single acting cylinder for a modern 3,000 psi double acting one and a new double acting pump to go along with it. Nice not to have the leaks anymore.

 

[58-fc170]

Also finally squeezed in the bilsteins that have been on the shelf long enough. It took a little odd mounts to get them to clear the links, bags and brake lines. I also grabbed up a sprinter 1.125" rear sway bar to squeeze under there, one bar in the front and one bar in the rear somehow.

 

[highboy4x4]

It is still in progress , just now with cushy 4 link from and rear with air ride and bilstein 5100 shocks.View attachment 236899View attachment 236900

First and foremost, I like the way you think but might I offer a suggestion for you to consider? I know I am overstepping here but when I was building my 1966 F100 4x4, I learned a few lessons the hard way. From the picture, I cant clearly tell but it seems that the air bag mount is welded to the 4 link bracket. This definitely adds strength but adding a few gussets on both sides of your air bag bracket to support that middle welded section might prove worthy. I see 3 welds to gain your height but I would content that any forceful lateral movement of the axle adds a high potential of snapping those welds. Vertical strength, no issue but lateral??

I cant say enough about how I like your build. Just my 2 cents.

 

[58-fc170]

That is a good point but there is very little side force on the air bags and link bars. All of that force is in the panhard bar.
I will see if I have the room to put in some gussets. Overbuilt is always better than broken.

 

[58-fc170]

Finally weighed the thing and it is 6,989 lbs in its current state. So out went the load E tires and bullet hole rims that were only rated to 3,000 lbs . In came the load F rated tires and slot mag rims rated to 3,700 lbs each. I think the tread is a little less aggressive than the prior tires but still looks good.

 

[58-fc170]

Windshield fit fine tuning is close to complete(lots of grinding to go) then on with the rest of the body work. It is road legal and insured now as motivation for myself to finish it this summer.