One option without going crazy is to remove every other leaf in the spring pack. To further the lowering with that, reverse eye main leafs. Your draglink will be at an upward swing from the pitman arm, and the tie rod will be close to the frame, so buying dropped tie rod ends, and a solid tie rod are the cure for that. As with any vehicle, even the older ones have reciprocating effects when the height is altered.
Removing every other leaf in the rear will likely give ya the 2" drop you are looking for. Welcome to FTE and the 48-60 forum, if it hasn't been said already.
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I lack focus. That, and I lack focus.
1948 F1
1950 F6
1978 F150 4x4
several others for parts
Also looking for a 1937 Ford sedan 2dr, and any old panel truck.
Don't mean to rain on your parade but here's something to ponder before you go to a lot of work.
I think you'd do well to go out and look at it closely. The tire/wheel change will drop it some. Look at the area between the frame and the axle bumper. I don't think you'll get 4" up front with just reducing spring height - there's usually only a couple of inches between the spring pack and the bottom of the bumper. There won't be any room for suspension travel if you take it all out. Removing leafs will make it even 'bouncier' and you'll bottom out all the time. You might come up with 4" between tires/wheels and taking a few leaves out, but there will be consequences you might not like. Ride quality, steering ability, etc will change.
Also, these are leaf springs - there is nothing to "shorten" like on newer coil spring trucks. One other picky point - doesn't matter if its not a '48 - it's all the same 48-50
just to add to my own statement, reverse eye leafs and removing every other one isn't a 4" drop that I know of.
__________________
I lack focus. That, and I lack focus.
1948 F1
1950 F6
1978 F150 4x4
several others for parts
Also looking for a 1937 Ford sedan 2dr, and any old panel truck.
Just to add to MT's comments, I recently replaced my stock front springs, and found that ADDING a full-length leaf made it ride like a dream. If you remove leaves, I'm betting it will really lean on corners.
I personally only remove three leafs on NEW springs (every other from the bottom up) but leave the full width one under the top leaf which is "reversed eye". The combo is good for about 3" with a V-8. I cut an inch off my snubber but I don't remove it. With old springs you don't know where you'll end up as you start tossing leaves.
It's also important to drill new holes to re-position your leaf retainer bolts. I actually just drill and tap the bracket and install a 1/4"-20 bolt through. That way I can retain the original bolt and spacer if I want to add leaves later.
Lastly, I drive like an old Grandma and California roads are very smooth. I've had a lot of low vehicles over the years and you gain the instincts to take some care. That being said, I have broken leafs hitting 18 wheeler recap rubber at night on the freeway...... This Pic shows the combo result.
I have a question, I have a f-1 That I plan to put a 351 in. I have a mustang II front end that I put on my frame when I redid it. But I am not really sure where the engine need to sit, I have all the weld in brackets to do it all. If any one has any info on doing something like this please help me. This is the first time I every done this and I really don't want to screw it up. Any info will help Thanks
I have a question, I have a f-1 That I plan to put a 351 in. I have a mustang II front end that I put on my frame when I redid it. But I am not really sure where the engine need to sit, I have all the weld in brackets to do it all. If any one has any info on doing something like this please help me. This is the first time I every done this and I really don't want to screw it up. Any info will help Thanks
Welcome to the forum. First tip, ask your question in a new topic, not at the tail end of an 18-month-old thread. That way it will get proper attention.
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1949 ford f1 lower help not 1948
