'93 2WD... Any way to raise the front end up?

[CBottomley]

Hello All

I have a few questions in this Forum. I have never rebuilt the front end on my truck. So it is time. I have an Early 1991 D250 Cummins. Non-intercooled, 2 wheel drive.

1. The spacer mention in above forum made by spring-man.com has three sizes. Do I use one on each side (size variable) driver front and passenger front instead of the coil spring insulator rubber one made by Moog P/N: K160037?

2. I will use the 7226 Moogspring that Mystreyman recommends. Not use 7226S Moog.

3. I have the 4000 lb axle up front with coil springs. I'm having trouble confirming correct part number for upper and lower ball joint. I think K7082 for Upper and K7053T for lower?

4. Bushing for control arm. K7189 for uppers and K7192 lowers this was talked about in above forum. Will this fit the Early 1991 or what you all recommend? Id like the K7036 kit that has hardware and bushing?

5. Maybe Mystreyman can shed some light on all of this. Also did you ever post a video on Front End Rebuild?

Thank you all for any of your help!

Charles

 

[Schumacherjustin]

Would I level my 92 d250 gas the same way?

Would I level my gas 92 3/4 ton the same way ?

In short yes try Oregon Auto Spring Service, Inc at 1-800-234-9611 - (see web site below) They have spacers that are made out of cast aluminum. They've got them in 3 different sizes. I've got P/Ns 1903, 1905 and 1906 and are listed as spacers. If you bought all 3 sizes it should cost less than $100. 00 for all 3 sizes.



www.spring-man.com.



They will fit my D250. The D350 has slightly larger springs so make sure you let them know which it is.



I would also recomend changing the springs at the same time as these are molded to fit between the spring bottom and the lower "A" arm. I've also got specs. on all MOOG springs if you need them.



Bob

 

[Schumacherjustin]

This subject is rather serious. It is VARY important that everyone clearly understand the problems and solutions with the 2wd front suspension to avoid future catastrophes ... The main problem is that the front suspension on our trucks is NOT really heavy enough to support the excessively heavy Cummins engine. I recall that from 89 to 93 there were about 17 revisions that we made to the frame and front suspension to help keep them together. Basically the front suspension was first designed and used in the 1972 model year.

There were a few significant changes made for the 73 model year to reduce the manufacturing and assemble costs

Other than that there were no readily visible changes made to 3/4 or 1 ton front suspension till it ended in 93.

Some of the not so visible changes that were made were . 1) reinforcement gussets were welded around the uppet control arm bushings. . 2) the gauge if the steel and carbon content were changed 3) the upper control arm bushings had the rubber compound changed due to premature failure. 4) the pivot pins and bushings in the drag link (Moog DS1173) were redesigned 4 times. 5) the idler arm bushing was redesigned. 6) the coil spring cushions were redesigned. 7) the lower control arms had 4 revisions. Plus several more.



The issue here is why do these 2wd trucks sag in the front... .

1) The main reason is because the black rubber coil spring cushions crush down to nothing. THERE WERE 3 DIFFERENT THICKNESS cushions. Depending on which ones were in you truck will determine how much it will drop.

Normally you will lose 1. 5 to 3. 5 inches of ride height. Bob is correct on how to take care of the problem. Cast aluminum spacers is the best and least expensive way. They are made by Specialty Products Company . The part #'s are as follows 1903, 1905, 1906 Multiply the thickness of the spacer times 2. 5" to figure the amount of lift you will get. Speciality products as far as I know does not sell retail. I do have a commercial account with them . I always have them on my shelf . Those that can not find them else where can buy them from me if they like. . DO NOT USE ANY OF THE OTHER TYPES OF SPRING SPACERS. Most other types do not work well at all and will damage the suspension.

1A) The next way is to replace the cushions with Dodge part # 4322 629 . That is the thicker one and will put the truck up where it should be. The trouble is they will crush out again in a few years. They are cheap however.



2) Coil springs. This is vary important !!! DO NOT BELIEVE WHAT THE PARTS CATALOGS LIST . All of the aftermarket suspension manufactures catalogs have listings for "super heavy duty springs" Do NOT BUY THEM ! THEY WILL DESTROY YOUR FRONT END!!! GMC/Chevy coil springs have a near exact diameter a ours do. They will fit but the spring rate is way too high ! They will crush your upper control arm bushing out in a a few short months. They will also cause the control arms to bend ! All those heavy duty / super heavy duty springs they list are actually Chevy springs. The springs that came with our trucks rarely sag vary much. The problem is what I mentioned above. It is the problem 99% of the time. But If you feel that you just have to replace them. THE CORRECT AND ONLY PART # TO USE IS MOOG # 7226

They are slightly longer than the originals so you do not have to use the upper rubber cushions. I do recommend globbing some WATER PROOF GREASE ON THE TOP OF THE SPRING WHERE IT MEETS THE FRAME. iF YOU DO NOT IT MAY SQUEAK AND CREAK A BIT. I also highly recommend to only buy Moog suspension parts ! they are about the only quality part left out there. Our front ends need all the help they can get !!!!!!!!!!!!!!



3) The 91. 5/92/93 diesel trucks have a different durometer rubber in the upper and lower control arm bushings than did the gas trucks. This is not reflected in the factory parts manuals nor until recently was it in the aftermarket catalogs. . Moog many years ago did offer the uppers but did discontinued them about 10 years ago. Thanks to yours truly here Moog now once again offers them. . I know a few of the engineers over at Moog and convinced them make them again. I am surprised that I was able to do so. They are not exact a high sales volume part ! The respective part #'s are K7189 for the uppers and K7192 for the lowers... .



I plan on doing a video in the near future on how to rebuild the front ends . I will post it on youtube or if they will let me here on this site I could write a whole book on the front suspension in our trucks. THE ABOVE INFORMATION

is a summery of the subject . I only mentioned what a guy really needs to know to solve his sagging problems. If you follow the instructions I gave your problems will be cost effectively solved and you should have little if any trouble in the future Good luck and stay tuned... /// MM

Would this be the same for 92 3/4 ton gas motor