thx.. green/red, 55/56, either way!.. and the 54 with the fancy chassis is hiding in the background!! (seen in post 31, last pic, https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/1...l#post10180825)

its amazing how many inter-connected and dependent changes can creep up on you.. all I 'wanted' to do was fix the volare problem.. now I'm working on the rear suspension!.. all to get the ANGLE understood... sheesh!.

what are you doing on yours? (and will you be sharing pics too?!)

sam

 

took the afternoon off to knock this rear axle thing off..

well, best laid plans..

the TCI Rear Leaf kit is installed, axle on top of the springs, and guess what.. I actually LOST an inch (chassis sits one inch HIGHER than before..

so.. tomorrow I get to rip it all off, re-install the flipped hangers and stock springs, and move the axle on top of THAT.. I KNOW that will move the axle 3in+spring pack thickness difference..

course I'll have to C-Notch the chassis now too!..
so much fun! (pull one thread! and watch out)

Sam

 

Hey Sam,
It looks so good - Why is it so important to get the additional
inches in the back? Is it a look thing or is the ride going to be compromised with the back end being too high? Trying to understand the motivation to re-work the rear end - Given all the issues on my 1950 rebuild I haven't thought through the "rake" thing too much.

Ben in NW Austin

 

looks really crazy.. the front is in the weeds and the rear is in the sky.

at the running boards the rear is 9.5 inches, and the front is 4. and the cab has the same angle.. so when you are sitting in the seats you are are leaning forward..

and the front suspension needs to be level.. if I set it now level with the rear up, then pull the rear down, I will mess it up.

So, I need to get the rear down, get the rake angle right, then set the front crossmember level. they all go together.

Sam

 

Thanks Sam - I'll take a look at mine in a new light.
What is the ideal set up in your mind? You have a goal
you are shooting for on the "rake"?

Ben in NW Austin

 

all I've read is 1 to 2 degrees.

thats about 3 inches over 110 wheel base. (at 1.5d)
I use this calculator.. Right Triangle Angle And Side Calculator

110 for one side, and 89 or 88 degrees for the other.

sam

 

I got a long list that will start taking place monday!

1) box the frame
2) install the Mustang II front end
3) Do a step notch
4) Set up and install a four link
5) air bags for all four corners (still undecided on how I want to set up my rear bags)

The list goes on but I got to get it to a rolling frame first, I have to set goals I can reach. Yea I have been taking some pictures and will be posting them soon.

 

wow! That's a big list! And fun too!

Looking forward to the pics.

What's the issue with the bags?

Sam

 

Sam,

It sucks that after all that work, it didn't get you the results you were looking for. It's too bad you can't flip the mounts and have the spring eyes on top of them.

I know how you feel. I have been experiencing that myself. I hope to be making some progress this weekend.

I finally got the steering column and steering wheel placement squared away and also determined that I actually need a rear sump oil pan, I wasn't sure at first.

Ordered one last week along with the extended pickup tube, dipstick and the 12" intermediate steering shaft.

Now I can actually get around to making the motor mount pedestals. I am hoping to, at the very least, get the motor mounts set and fab up the seat and seat belt mounts on Saturday.

I may still get to drive it by July. I am shooting for my birthday. That would be a good present.

Dave.

 

the stock axle has the eyes on top..

your thread pull chaos is a lot larger than mine for sure. Birthday/July.. hm. mine is the 12th!
am I your twin? or doppelganger?

Sam

 

The 25th. Be 58.

 

One step forward, one step back (at least)..

so, I removed the TCI rear leaf kit, and re-installed the springs that WERE on the truck.. but put the axle on top of the springs vs under..

this has reverse eye springs (eye facing down), and an extended rear hanger.

now I have TOO much drop, and the 9in pumpkin hits the bed when set off the jackstands..

So, more fun.. probably have to remove the rear extended hangers.
will definitely have to C notch the frame..
BUT, in the look at the rake, its down to 2 degrees and looks good (rear chassis jacked about where it would be without the extended hangers I think)..

AND the MII cross-member is perfect front to back and side to side.
pics before and after
sam

 

well, another direction..

I moved the axle back under the springs and raised the front hanger to the top of the chassis. 1.75 inches.. this does it!.. (yes, I have the other 4 bolts to install..)

this gives me a 2.2 degree rake, and I need to rotate the MII back .5 degrees.. so easy mod..
(and I'll have to fix the pinion angle).. I might be able to get another 1/2 drop by changing the axle saddles.
these are really tall.. I can get a U bolt under the saddle itself. the TCI kit saddles are short.

but, discovered another anomaly to work on.. the PO mounted the passenger side fender a little over 1/2 inch higher than the drivers side

never a dull moment

Sam

 

Sam, nice work. It always is in the details isn't it????
Excellent pictures too by the way. It clearly shows what you are doing. Appreciate it.
jim

 

thx.. funny.. on my iPad the pictures are all rotated 90 degrees to the right!!..

looks good on my PC tho..

Sam