pre61-list-digest Wednesday, July 22 1998 Volume 02 : Number 204



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Ford Truck Enthusiasts - 1960 and Older trucks and vans
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In this issue:

RE: FTE Pre61 - Solid Axle FE-Bump Steer
FTE Pre61 - Fellow Ford fan has passed on.
FTE Pre61 - Shifter Knobs

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Date: Tue, 21 Jul 1998 06:31:07 -0500
From: "Mike Morton "
Subject: RE: FTE Pre61 - Solid Axle FE-Bump Steer

> -----Original Message-----
> From: Lookn4iron aol.com [SMTP:Lookn4iron aol.com]
> Sent: Monday, July 20, 1998 10:58 PM
> To: pre61-list ford-trucks.com
> Subject: Re: FTE Pre61 - Solid Axle FE-Bump Steer
>
> I have been helping a friend with an 1950 F1 with a serious
> (dangerous)
> bump steer problem .
>
> I do not believe it has a dropped axle but it was dropped about 4"
> probably in part by employing a "short stack" on the springs. The
> Pitman
> arm may have been changed and the tie rods were re-enforced (??) by
> welding angle iron to them. This was probably done because with the
>
> lowering, the tie rods hit the frame regularly. The steering box is
>
> tight but a small steering wheel together with low profile wide tires
>
> contributed to treacherous handling. Thus far we have replaced the
> tie
> rods so that camber adjustment is now possible, added blocks between
> axle
> and spring to regain some of the height and replaced the steering
> wheel
> with a larger stock wheel. Some improvement ocurredbut It is still
> not
> good.
>
> Has anyone had experience in using sway bars or after market springs
> or
> other changes (other than IFS) to a solid axle FE that will improve
> handling and/ or dampen the "bump steer" tendency.
>
>
> Bill Meglen
> == FTE: Uns*bscribe and posting info www.ford-trucks.com/faq.html
>
>
Paul G wrote:
The sway bars I got were from Mid50s. If you are wanting a
front sway bar, an ideal time to mount it is when you're working on the
p/s install, since you have to remove all 4 u bolts from the front
springs anyway, in order to mount a sway bar attaching plate in place of
the bottom leaf (a very short one which falls off when the axle is
dropped).
I also discovered that a corner of the p/s mount to the u bolt
has to be ground down a bit in order to clear the new sway bar, but this
is easily done with a small grinder.

The front bar cost about $180 and improved the handling about
75%, with the rear bar improving about the other 25%. The rear bar,
which is a universal type used also on Chevy trucks, cost about $165.

Like I mentioned on the post, the handling is still not as a
modern IFS, but is as good as my 79 Bronco, which when you think of it
is quite similar, it having a solid front axle and factory sway
bar.

== FTE: Uns*bscribe and posting info www.ford-trucks.com/faq.html

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Date: Tue, 21 Jul 1998 20:49:31 -0400
From: Ken Payne
Subject: FTE Pre61 - Fellow Ford fan has passed on.

Just got some news that stunned me. Jim Osborn, of Jim Osborn
Reproductions, passed away Wednesday. Jim Osborn, in addition
to producing some of the finest reproduction decals, tags,
manuals and books for automotive enthusiasts, was also one
heck of a nice guy.

A couple of months ago, after having the pleasure of seeing
Jim's work first hand in his small plant, Jim offered Ford
Truck Enthusiasts a deal to help us continue to help our
fellow Ford truck fans. A discount on his products sold
through us. Jim didn't have to extend this offer, but he had
a genuine "I want to help out attitude." I know one of his
employees personally and can say that his workers truly
liked working for/with him. He was just an all around nice
guy.

For those who don't know, Jim founded the Mustang Club of
America and his lifelong dream was to start a Mustang museum.
His wife is planning on starting a fund to keep his dream
alive.

I'd like to take this opportunity to ask the members of these
lists to show that we're more than just about trucks. I've
made many friends here and I know from personal experience
that we have a good group here. Please, if you can spare a
few moments of your evening tonight or a few minutes tomorrow,
pick up a card and send it to:

Jim Osborn Reproductions
101 Ridgecrest Drive
Lawrenceville, GA 30045

If you want to, send a few bucks with a note stating it's
for the Mustang museum. Also, let them know its from an FTE
member, I think this, in a small way, will let them know
that we appreciated him.

Regards,
Ken Payne
CoAdmin, Ford Truck Enthusiasts, Inc.
http://www.ford-trucks.com


== FTE: Uns*bscribe and posting info www.ford-trucks.com/faq.html

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Date: Tue, 21 Jul 1998 22:31:15 -0400
From: "Don & Teresa Neighbors"
Subject: FTE Pre61 - Shifter Knobs

Abe wrote: "Perhaps you can help me solve a little problem. If you have a
stock '54 "3 on the tree" (column shift) is your shifter knob round or
spherical?"
Mine is kind of a long teardrop shape, with the "pointy" end of the
teardrop where the knob is attached to the shift lever. It is made of black
plastic. The turn signal knob, however, is round, and both the shifter and
turn signals switch are factory stock.

Don Neighbors
'54 F250 Named Grover

"Any dropped tool or part will automatically fall into the most
innaccesible part of the vehicle."

kyneighbors kih.net


== FTE: Uns*bscribe and posting info www.ford-trucks.com/faq.html

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End of pre61-list-digest V2 #204
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