87 D150 sits crooked, possible spring issue??
#1650055
07/23/14 02:04 PM
07/23/14 02:04 PM
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Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 1,178
Indy
FlyFish
OP
super stock
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OP
super stock
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 1,178
Indy
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I have and 87 D150 that I use to pull my race car on an open trailer. The truck is mostly stock. My question is the truck sits about 2 inches lower on the driver side....I'm thinking bad front spring?? So, how hard is it to swap out the front springs and shocks? What all is involved in removing the coil spring? Thanks in advance 
67 Barracuda street car, 408, e85, 1.38 60', 6.44 @105.9 in the 1/8 mile, 10.19 @130.5 in the 1/4...so far....
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Re: 87 D150 sits crooked, possible spring issue??
[Re: FlyFish]
#1650056
07/23/14 02:24 PM
07/23/14 02:24 PM
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Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 1,739
Grand Forks, ND
Hemi_Ram
top fuel
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top fuel
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 1,739
Grand Forks, ND
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A lot of those trucks sat lower on the drivers side from the factory as the fuel tank, battery, power steering box, etc are all on the driver's side. Maybe scratch can chime in as I thought that there was a fix for this that they did.
Far as replacement you'll need the separate the control arm and get a coil spring compressor.
Here's a pix when I put my 83 D150 back together
Last edited by Hemi_Ram; 07/23/14 02:31 PM.
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Re: 87 D150 sits crooked, possible spring issue??
[Re: Hemi_Ram]
#1650057
07/23/14 03:02 PM
07/23/14 03:02 PM
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Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 21,059
Niles , Ohio
therocks
oh wait.but hey.lets see.oh yeah.
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oh wait.but hey.lets see.oh yeah.
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 21,059
Niles , Ohio
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No need for a spring compressor.I did many in the drive and at work.Unloosen the shock bolts but dont remove them all the way.Then undo the lower balljoint and leave the nut on a few threads.Slide jack under lower arm and jack up now remove the shock bolts and lower BJ nut.Slowly lower the jack.Spring slowly comes down.To replace just do the opposite except just tighten the shock and BJ all the way.Look at the rear spring mounts also.They are prone to rusting and breaking.Had to replace a few of those also.If the shocks have been on and the top nut is rusty you will probally beed new shocks.Rocky
Chrysler Firepower
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Re: 87 D150 sits crooked, possible spring issue??
[Re: scratchnfotraction]
#1650060
07/23/14 09:22 PM
07/23/14 09:22 PM
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Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 5,951
Greenville, PA
redraptor
master
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master
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 5,951
Greenville, PA
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Quote:
another issue is worn rubber cab mount bushings,I guess you could add washers/shims to the body mounts.
I know my poly mounts leveled my cab when I replaced it on my 85 truck.
 Also rusted/weak core support bushings will give the illusion of worn springs and pull down on the cab to boot. 
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Re: 87 D150 sits crooked, possible spring issue??
[Re: FlyFish]
#1650061
07/24/14 12:23 PM
07/24/14 12:23 PM
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Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 1,357
central Florida
VL21
pro stock
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pro stock
Joined: Dec 2007
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central Florida
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On my 92, that I had in 93, so the truck was nearly new, it also had the "Dodge lean" I was going to lower the front a little, I cut one full coil from the left side, and 1 and 1/2 from the right. Took me a while to figure out what I needed to do, at first I just swapped springs from side to side, still leaned left. So I cut another 1/2 coil from the right, and viola, sat level, and stayed that way. Also de arched the rear springs.  Several years later, ran into the then current owner, he was using it for a used furniture biz, pulling a trailer. Said he liked the truck, but some body had lowered it, and he wished they hadn't. So I told him I did it. It was still sitting level tho, just at this height. Sorry for the bad pic.
It takes gasoline to interest me.
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Re: 87 D150 sits crooked, possible spring issue??
[Re: 76dodgeboy]
#1650063
07/24/14 06:32 PM
07/24/14 06:32 PM
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Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 1,178
Indy
FlyFish
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OP
super stock
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Indy
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This lean that I'm seeing is only on the front of the truck. The back of the truck is level (possibly due to the air shocks).
I just ordered springs, they should be here tomorrow. The shocks they had in stock. Since I had time I put new shocks on it today....HUGE difference.....the old shocks were very dead. I'll pull it back apart tomorrow and install the new springs too. Thanks again folks for the help.
67 Barracuda street car, 408, e85, 1.38 60', 6.44 @105.9 in the 1/8 mile, 10.19 @130.5 in the 1/4...so far....
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Re: 87 D150 sits crooked, possible spring issue??
[Re: FlyFish]
#1650064
07/25/14 12:06 AM
07/25/14 12:06 AM
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Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 1,357
central Florida
VL21
pro stock
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pro stock
Joined: Dec 2007
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central Florida
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When I did mine, the springs were exactly the same length. Figuring there was some other problem, I switched them side for side. Same lean, same side. That is why I cut the extra 1/2 coil on the right. The current '85 had the same lean, and the stock springs when removed were same length. In what I consider a failed experiment, I used some '98 GMC 1/2 ton coils, but cut them too much ... so now at some point I am going to re install the stock Dodge coils, and cut them the same as I did the '92 ...1 full coil on the left, and 1 1/2 on the right. I bet if you park on a level area and look at the rear of your truck you will seel the lean.
It takes gasoline to interest me.
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Re: 87 D150 sits crooked, possible spring issue??
[Re: gerty]
#1650066
07/26/14 12:43 PM
07/26/14 12:43 PM
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Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 21,059
Niles , Ohio
therocks
oh wait.but hey.lets see.oh yeah.
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oh wait.but hey.lets see.oh yeah.
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 21,059
Niles , Ohio
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Nope the spring will not break them loose.You dont even need to undo the upper.Just remove shock.Floor jack under lower arm.Undo the lower nut and leave it on a few threads.Then just smakc the knuckle and it should pop.When it does undo the nut and slowly lower the jack.Make sure the front end sits high on jack stands.As the lower arm comes down so will the spring.To asseble just inatsll the new spring and jack up the lower arm.You might have to push down on the upper at the same time to get enough threads to start the nut.Tightn install cotter pin and shock and you are done.My last one on my kids truck one lower were stuck so a pickle fork was needed.The other side popped easy with a few hits on the knuckle.We did all the ball joints while it was apart.Rocky
Chrysler Firepower
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Re: 87 D150 sits crooked, possible spring issue??
[Re: therocks]
#1650067
07/26/14 12:46 PM
07/26/14 12:46 PM
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Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 1,357
central Florida
VL21
pro stock
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pro stock
Joined: Dec 2007
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central Florida
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I find it easier to remove the rotor and caliper and un bolt the lower ball joint from the spindle. Just me.
It takes gasoline to interest me.
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Re: 87 D150 sits crooked, possible spring issue??
[Re: VL21]
#1650068
07/26/14 10:44 PM
07/26/14 10:44 PM
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Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 8,020
Pangaea
B5 Bee
master
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master
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Posts: 8,020
Pangaea
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Glad I saw this thread. Why couldn't Dodge put the fuel tank and battery on the right side? I had a '91 D150 with the lean. I installed a new left coil spring, no change. I need replace the UCA bushings on my '84 D100, it also has the lean. When I do, I'm cutting a half coil off the left spring like VL21 did. Might even drop the front a bit and cut 1.0 coil right, 1.5 coils left. Now if I can only find the best fix for the the dreaded upper drip rail rust. 
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Re: 87 D150 sits crooked, possible spring issue??
[Re: B5 Bee]
#1650069
07/27/14 11:53 AM
07/27/14 11:53 AM
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Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 1,357
central Florida
VL21
pro stock
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pro stock
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 1,357
central Florida
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Quote:
Glad I saw this thread.
Why couldn't Dodge put the fuel tank and battery on the right side?
I had a '91 D150 with the lean. I installed a new left coil spring, no change.
I need replace the UCA bushings on my '84 D100, it also has the lean. When I do, I'm cutting a half coil off the left spring like VL21 did. Might even drop the front a bit and cut 1.0 coil right, 1.5 coils left.
Now if I can only find the best fix for the the dreaded upper drip rail rust.
NO! NO! the right is the one to cut, if you cut any! Remember, that is the side that is higher!
I understand, though, that with your advancing age it might be a chore to remember ...
I also have a theory on the roof rust ... after looking at a number of these things, (especially the '85 I have now) I think that the problem is caused by the poor seam sealer that was used by Chrysler, the roof outer panel is only spot welded in place, and the seam is IN, as in above, the rain gutter, so that when the gutter is full of water, after the factory seam sealer sort of thins out or fades away, the water goes in, under the outer panel, between the spot welds. At least mine was.
On the '85 I was getting water between the inner and outer panels, then it would leak at the ends near the pillars.
I used some roofing sealer (asphalt/tar looking stuff, think it has a little fiberglass) to lay a new bead in the channel, across the front and part way back above the doors, couple layers, masked the roof and gutter off, not visible from the ground, seems to have stopped the water ...
It takes gasoline to interest me.
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Re: 87 D150 sits crooked, possible spring issue??
[Re: VL21]
#1650070
07/27/14 03:47 PM
07/27/14 03:47 PM
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Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 8,020
Pangaea
B5 Bee
master
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master
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 8,020
Pangaea
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Quote:
Quote:
Glad I saw this thread.
Why couldn't Dodge put the fuel tank and battery on the right side?
I had a '91 D150 with the lean. I installed a new left coil spring, no change.
I need replace the UCA bushings on my '84 D100, it also has the lean. When I do, I'm cutting a half coil off the left spring like VL21 did. Might even drop the front a bit and cut 1.0 coil right, 1.5 coils left.
Now if I can only find the best fix for the the dreaded upper drip rail rust.
NO! NO! the right is the one to cut, if you cut any! Remember, that is the side that is higher!
I understand, though, that with your advancing age it might be a chore to remember ...
I also have a theory on the roof rust ... after looking at a number of these things, (especially the '85 I have now) I think that the problem is caused by the poor seam sealer that was used by Chrysler, the roof outer panel is only spot welded in place, and the seam is IN, as in above, the rain gutter, so that when the gutter is full of water, after the factory seam sealer sort of thins out or fades away, the water goes in, under the outer panel, between the spot welds. At least mine was.
On the '85 I was getting water between the inner and outer panels, then it would leak at the ends near the pillars.
I used some roofing sealer (asphalt/tar looking stuff, think it has a little fiberglass) to lay a new bead in the channel, across the front and part way back above the doors, couple layers, masked the roof and gutter off, not visible from the ground, seems to have stopped the water ...
DOH!!! L/R, R/L 
Must be my lysdexia kicking in. 
Drip rail rot seems to be worse the further south you go.
The hotter sun dries out and shrinks the seam sealer so that it peels up an exposes bare metal.
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