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I'm looking for an answer regarding the rear spring mounts. Brian shows his f3 frame and the spring mounts appear inverted. On my F1 a PO put the F2/F3 Springs on the rear (or was that a factory crossover of some type?). Front is true F1 as I recently did new bushings & bolts. The rear mounts appear to use the stock holes (nothing new drilled and no other holes appear to be in the frame (and it hasn't been sectioned). Were they actually inverted on the F2/F3 vs. F1? (Shackle above instead of below). I know the mounts are different. Mine has a Ford 9" and it is not centered on the springs (bed length difference?? F1 to F2/F3 about 2-3"). The springs are 2.25" vs. the 2" F1 springs. F1 mounts were same from about '38 to '52. The holes in the frame don't appear to line up to "knock out" the pins.
Brian, in another thread https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/1...ar-bumper.html show a picture of his F3, which is pretty much what I've got, but are they upside down? with the shackles going up? I'm confused and want to get this done closer to correct. The wheels are right at the opening of the back fenders, which makes me think this was done to lower the ride. I've driven it 25,000 miles over last 2+ years and am tearing it down and redoing it.
I think someone flipp your rear brackets. The Parts CD doesn't show F2/3 rear springs, but there are no trucks at all shown across all the years with your arrangement. I suspect they were flipped to reduce the rear height from using the heavier springs. How do the front mounts for the rear springs mount? They must be wider (F-2 style) ?
It looks like your springs will interfere with the fixed part of the rear shackle if you actually loaded it enough?
Ross - yea the front rear mount is inverted as well. I figured someone flipped them as you did, and since this is an F1 the mounts aren't correct (recently did '51 and previously '47 and my son just bought a '51 all with the smaller mounts with 2" springs. What really confused me was Brian's picture (thread https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/12...ar-bumper.html show a picture of his F3 ) His mount is inverted as well and it doesn't seem as though his truck was ever "messed with".
I did buy new shackle/mount bolts, lock pins and bushings from Macs for the F2/F3. They show the mounts for the F1 (which are the same as the other three I mentioned) and then the F2/F3 mounts (which is what I have). Another thing is the Rear rear F2 mount folds over the frame with bolt/rivet holes. Obviously on mine they aren't used, but on Brian's pict. it looks like they might be. If I flip it, I'll be drilling new holes in the frame as the rear rear isn't centered vertically (was that confusing enough?)
Just came across this pict from TBHUNT on his build thread: https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/1...chronicle.html (page 4) which shows his frame after pulling the bed. It looks like the shackles go up, not down as on the F1's.
VCF3 - mine look like they are mounted like yours, with the springs above the mounts. I was questioning because I was used to the F1 mounts.
Now this is my '47, but the same mounts were used '52 back to, I think, '38. That's why I was confused by my setup on the '50. All the picts I'm finding, including yours, show the spring eyes above the mount as opposed to the F1 and earlier 1/2T's with the eyes below the mount.
I see what you mean. As for pounding out the pins there is just enough room to get a drift in from the inside. It goes in at a bit of an angle, but I got mine out with not much effort.
VCF3 - thanks for the picts - It confirms that my mounts are oriented correctly, only the PO may have pulled some springs to lower the rear. May have to drill some holes in the frame to knock out the pins. Don't think mine are aligned correctly cause it's an F1 frame. Bushings are shot, which started this whole "hot mess". Thanks again!!
Just for grins - My '50 is a 4th qtr. build (smooth side bed). Is there any chance that Ford put F2 springs on the rear of a F1, just cause they had them, and maybe the F1 stuff was "out of stock". Heard of other strange put-togethers at the end of production runs just to use up stuff.
Sorry the slow response, out of the country. This is the only pic I have right now, but yes this is the stock setup on the F3, just like VCF's without he extra top spring.
01-25-2015, 11:42 AM
- It confirms that my mounts are oriented correctly, only the PO may have pulled some springs to lower the rear. May have to drill some holes in the frame to knock out the pins. Don't think mine are aligned correctly cause it's an F1 frame. Bushings are shot, which started this whole "hot mess". Thanks again!! 
