Offset Ball Joints?

[PCTechman]

Does anyone make offset ball joints (upper) for my 91 TTB EX 4x4?

 

[410Fortune]

Offset how? For what purpose?
The upper joint mounts into a shim that allows you to adjust camber, the max camber correction for a 91 4x4 is 2.75 degrees.

Autofab makes some tough as nails rebuildable ball joints for your truck but they are pretty expensive and I dont believe they allow any more correction then the 2.75 degree shim already gives you.

 

[PCTechman]

I installed 2" lift progressive rate front coils and 2.5" lift rear springs to get the truck up enough to do battle with the rough roads under construction in my area and while carrying 250-400lb when loaded with tools and computers. I also installed the 2" drop brackets (Tuff Country). They put the camber way out negatively and twisted the driveshaft angles so much I would probably be changing universals every month. I reinstalled the stock brackets and now I have slight positive camber with the stock installed cams and the axles/driveshaft angles look much better. I just received my Fedex tonight of the 3 degree cams made by MOOG (K8984). At first glance there is not much difference I can see from the stock units, so I was wondering if offset ball joints would help with alignment if the 3 degree units do not work. My other alternative would be to weld/modify either the Tuff country units or the stock brackets. Thanks for any help on this...

 

[410Fortune]

3 degree units are not 3 degrees on a 4x4, they are much less, I forget the exact number.

AS I said 2.75 degree is the max correction for a 4x4 (same shims installed in a 2wd are 3.5 degree I believe)


a 2" lift coil might be too much for stock pivot brackets, but you wont know for sure until the coils sag and you try the 2.75 degree shims.


the Tuff country 2" drop pivot brackets and 2" coils should have been perfect as long as your camber is not more then 2.75 degrees + or - you can bring it back to 0

I believe your 3 degree shims are actually 2.25 in a 4x4. What did it say on the box? All Moog shims I have seen give numbers for both 2wd and 4wd.

 

[PCTechman]

Yes the MOOG cams are stamped with 4x4 3 degrees and 4x2 3.5 degrees, but I've heard that 3 degrees is impossible on a 4x4, and that max is 2.75 degrees no matter what the cam states. I thought the 2" pivot brackets would be just right, too. It seems somewhere in between stock and the 2" drop brackets would do it, which would mean modifying the stock or drop units if the 2.75 (or 3) degree cams will not do the job.

 

[410Fortune]

Can you give me the part number for those shims please?

I am not telling you they are not all I know is nothing over 2.75 degrees has EVER been available for our axles, so I am just curious to see these shims.


if you had slightly - camber with the pivot brackets and coils I would then measure the camber and order the correct shims OR add more lift coil (like a spacer)

 

[PCTechman]

Yes, it's on the cam as per my previous reply and on the box it says:

MOOG K8984 CAMBER KIT
4x2(31/2) 4x4 (3) DEGREE

I purchased them from rockauto.com

 

[410Fortune]

Thank you, if this is true then I will be able to run more lift on my front end MUAHAHAHA

This is the FIRST I have ever heard of these suckers.....I wonder if they are a new product.
Is there ANY way you can get a picture? I want to see how thick the metal is on the small side of the shim, the 2.75 degrees were already almost non existant.

 

[410Fortune]

Thank you, if this is true then I will be able to run more lift on my front end MUAHAHAHA

This is the FIRST I have ever heard of these suckers.....I wonder if they are a new product?
Is there ANY way you can get a picture? I want to see how thick the metal is on the small side of the shim, the 2.75 degrees were already almost non existant.

 

[PCTechman]

If you go to rockauto.com under Ford 1991 explorer, I believe it's under Suspension, then Alignment Caster/Camber Kit and according to the numbers of the other kits it's newer, but not that new, the numbers go in order K8970, 8971 all the way up to 8986. They also make a 4 degree Kit under K80109 but when I emailed them, they checked with the supplier and they said it would not fit my 91 4x4 EX. Maybe it's for a 2wd? Or maybe you'll be lucky and it will fit a Bronco! I agree with you because on the K8984 cam bottom the metal tapers down to 0 space, so how can they give you more adjustment then that? Although if they move the center over on the cam topside they might be able to squeeze another degree or so. You can email them @ service@rockauto.com, mention I recommended you to them, I just spent 1200+ for parts from them. They were very helpful and were not looking to make a sale if it's not the right thing for you...