Strange front suspension

[3717lile]

Hey, everybody!
I recently found this site and I'm very impressed- there is a huge amount of info, and everyone seems to know a lot. However, I cant find any information on front suspension systems that arn't (apparently) the norm for older Fords. I dont know a whole lot about cars in general, but am in the learning process...
Anyway, my Dad bought this 1970 F250 highboy about 30 years ago, just out of highschool, and its been around ever since. The weird thing is that it doesnt have I-beams up front, instead its got leaf springs. I'm pretty sure its stock, because its been a farm truck its whole life and my Dad isnt the modifying type.
In addition to that, the connections between the axles and the wheels, there in the front, arn't the normal universal joints... they look more like ball-and-socket type things. We've never had any problems with them, and as far as I know, they're stock too.
I cant find any documentation about anything other than I-beams, and I'm just curious as to what the story is. Sorry, but I dont have any pictures because the trucks at home and I'm at college.
Anyone?
Thanks

[xxxtina63]

Sounds like it's correct. 4x4's had solid axles, not I beams. Not sure what they are called, but I've seen the ones with this set up instead of u-joints. Don't think it's a closed knuckle, but not sure what it is. Seems to work well though.

[heep70]

Your dad's truck is just fine. Only the 2x4 pickups had I-beams and the 4x4 F100s came with coils and the F250 and F350s have leafs packs. The type of axle used in the F250s and F350s was either a light duty dana 44 closed knuckle (smallball) or a heavy duty Dana 44 closed knuckle (bigball). The u-joints are inside the knuckles. They both came with either 4.09 or 4.56 R&P with an open carrier.

All manuals will have a break down of what you have. Here is a diagram of the closed knuckle axle.

http://www.fordification.com/images/sch ... ntaxle.jpg

[xxxtina63]

Ha! You said big ball! Yes, the diagram shows what I was thinking, but didn't know it was closed knuckle. I've heard of an axle that uses a kind of interlocking "tongs" instead of a u-joint. Is this another hillbilly myth or is there such a thing?

[heep70]

Toyotas have CV joints instead of u-joints. I don't think I have seen anything that looks like tongs as far as axle shafts go.

[xxxtina63]

I haven't seen such a thing either, and I've looked for it. Have heard about it a couple of times by questionable sources. Guess that's what happens when your high school graduation takes place in the 3rd grade.

[ladz]

BE NICE !

[3717lile]

Great, thanks. I didnt know Ford had I-beams only on 2WD trucks in the early 70's. My Bronco has I-beams, and its 4WD of course, so I think that threw me off. Thanks for responding so quick, if I have any real mechanical questions in the future, I know where to come for answers! That diagram helps with the closed nuckle thing too... now I dont have to go digging into it trying to find out what inside!

[heep70]

Your Bronco is something totally different then your fathers pick up. Post some pics of your dad's truck if you get the chance.

[pat67shorty]

You Bronco has what Ford called Twin Traction Beam. It was introduced in 1980. It's basically IFS with solid axle toughness.