Hey a friend of mine is giving me a set of rear springs off a 68 Mustang. He went with new springs on a restoration but said these springs had nothing wrong with them.
IM putting a 8" Car rear end in my 51 F1 and was wondering has anybody fabbed up spring mounts or used another off something else?
I know one guy on here did the Nissan truck spring swap.
Anybody else?
I know its the 5x 4 1/2" pattern IM switching the front the same pattern later with disc brakes on the stock suspension.
IM building this truck on the cheap. I dont want to buy anything unless I have to.
So far I have bought my engine mounts and the front and rear glass rubber gaskets and cowl vent gasket.
I just got a killer trade on some chrome reverse wheels and tires all brand new. The guy sold the car he had them on and wanted an engine I had.
So now I have new tires and rims for it once I start driving it.
IM saving my money for paint and building supplies, steel, welding supplies.
I have a full shop and do paint and body work as a living
I would like to see some pics and or info on this.

 

I used 87 Chrysler 5th Avenue springs and rear end under my 48 F-3. Check my gallery for pictures of the mounts. It was pretty straightforward using angle iron brackets bolted to the frame rails. The Chrysler springs were longer than the stock 13 leaf F-3 springs so I moved the rear mounting back about 8-10 inches. What rear end housing are you using for the eight inch? I ask because most are too narrow for these trucks. I have an eight inch with 3:55 gears that I'm saving for a project down the road.

 

I used Ford Explorer springs and Ford Ranger hangers

 

Well actually I just found a 9" from a 63 Galaxie its about 53" from inside the backing plates. My stock one was 55" I think it will work.

 

Most nine inch housings are wide enough except the 57-59 Ford passenger car. Most eight inch housings aren't...

 

That is great. I never thought of using Mustang springs, but they might work better than stock. Jag

 

Gotta Do This, it's the way I am.

Make sure "on the cheap" includes SAFETY

What is the design weight of the Mustang springs?

F-1 Rear Curb Weight is 1345lbs.

 

Dick, I gotta think that the Mustang springs would be as safe and support as much as stock truck springs with half the leaves missing (which is what most have done to lower their truck). I used all the leaves in my Chrysler springs (5) plus it came from a vehicle of similar weight...

 

Just want to make sure all the elements are in the thought pattern.
35 yrs in Public Safety type activities does that.

 

Plus the mustang there off of is a fastback. I have had one of these cars before and there a pretty good chunk moving them around on a jack.
Thanks for the tip.