Anyone using front radius rods & hair pins, along with a front panhard bar - on their F100, instead of stock front leaf springs? I am thinking of doing this, along with front air bags on my 53 F250. Also; anyone using the Speedway 2" or 3" front dropped axle, on their 53-56 F100? If so; how's the overall quality of the Speedway piece?
I am also planning to go with a 4 link, panhard bar, and bags in the rear.
I am just throwing around ideas right now, before I get down to business. Any input is greatly appreciated!

 

I'm planning on going with a dropped front axle, so I'm interested to hear about this also.

 

Another bump.....

 

DeeBee,
I posted the same question on another site (ratrods). A fellow there suggested that I remove some leaves from the front springs. This will get the front as low as you like. Then you can add bags to adjust the height, for driving conditions. I don't know why I didn't remember to remove the leaf's Anyway; this (adding bags) would probably end up costing about the same - as the Speedway dropped axle. However; it would give you some height adjust ability.

 

Sounds like a major step backwards and I'm not sure you could ever get it to work right.
But then again I am of the opinion that the best use for bags is carrying home groceries, not for suspensions you really plan on driving.

 

Mid-fifty offers a drop axle similiar to speedway however, the ends are square tubbing and the center is round, I installed one about two weeks ago however, I haven't completely put the truck back together & driven it (55) there are some pics in my gallery listed "frame swap"

 

When I forst got my truck the previous owner had removed some srpings in the front and added teflon buttons... It seemed to have worked out pretty well.. low and the ride wasn't too bad.
(Granted, I only drove it three miles like that... and was sitting on a milk crate. No glass, no doors, no front sheet metal, no bed.)

 

Jaye,
Thanks for the tip on mid-fifties carrying a dropped axle. I think I am going to go that route, instead of going with bags and removing leaves. I plan on installing the rear axle on top of the rear leaves, to drop the rear.

 

If you do the rear that way, you will need to C notch the frame and possibly raise the center of the bed floor to clear the axle, and it will sit tail dragger style. Order a free Mid Fifty print catalog 1-800-252-1956 and in it they have a chart of how much drop you can get front and rear using different methods (plus LOADS of other useful info and assembly drawings). On my 56 I have a 2" dropped axle, reduced leaf "slipper springs" with reversed eyes front and rear. My truck sits near level and the bottom of the bumper is 10" off the ground. I don't want it too low since I'll be pulling a 24' enclosed racecar trailer with it. It rides quite well, better than our 07 GMC 1/2T actually.

 

AxRacer,
Thanks for the info! I forgot about c notching the frame I will give mid-fifties a call, and order one of their free catalogs. I am still debating suspension options at this point, before I get down to brass tacks.