I placed a similar post on the "suspension" site a few weeks ago but got little response.
I have installed a 9"rear end on my 48 f1. I am making shock mounts, top and bottom, for the rear. What shock should I use?
I can make the mounts to fit the shock because I'm a darksider. I was thinking of using shocks made for a mid 80's f150. (No particular reason)
Also,what is the proper angle for a rear shock?

 

Why are you making it so hard? Get the lower bracket and U bolts from a F2 and bolt them on. Now you can put the shocks on just like the original. Don't forget to check your pinion angle. I had to put 6' shims under the springs in mine.

 

dongc1:

I have the same issue for my '52 F-1, and I have been trying to locate the F2 brackets. No luck thus far with finding any from indiviudals or local scrap yards. Do you know of any reproductions being made?
Thanks for the input...
Fred

 

making the brackets seems easier than looking or the f2 brackes. But, still do not know which shocks to use.

 

Jack,

I used a Chevy 10 bolt in my 49 F-1 but chose to use F-100 rear shocks for 53-55. It is working out fine. I made my own shock mounts too. A lot of those old F2s and F3s didn't come with shocks or they had somehow disappeared from those trucks over the years. Ideally you don't want the shock angle to be more than about 30 degrees...

 

I fabbed my own rear shock mounts when I put the 9" under my truck. Here's my scientific method for their placement. I held up the original F1 lower shock mounts, measured the position of the schock mount stud and placed my new mounts in the same place. No big deal. I can use the original shocks for the F-1.

If you get a 9" rearend from a 1966-1972 truck it will have the lower shock mounts already welded in place. The trucks before that had the saddle.

It just occured to me as I wrote the previous sentance. Perhaps the lower bracket from any truck prior to 1966 with the larger rear diff would work. Basically you need to find a lower "U" bolt bracket that fits a 3" diameter axle tube.

Bobby

 

I found that the rear shocks from an 80 Plymouth Horizon fit the rear of my 52 F-1. The same part number actually fits a varied number of different vehicles. At my local parts house they let me look through an old shock and strut catalog that actually had listings for older vehicles including mine. So I wrote down the part number and looked in the back of the catalog to see what other vehicles this particular part number fit. Your best bet would be to measure the distance between your shock studs with the vehicle at ride height and then go to your local mom and pop auto parts store and see if you can find some that meet your needs as far as shock travel length is concerned. You could also try rear shocks for a mid 80's 2WD Toyota pickup truck. I have a 84 Toyota pickup and the rear shocks are the exact same part that fit the front of an F-1 pickup. The reason I suggest these is the overall travel length of the Toyota rear shock would be perfect for the rear if you went to a 9inch Ford differential. I hope this helps. I use to work at an independent auto and truck parts house so I know what will sometimes interchange on other vehicles. Computers may be the way of the future but good parts books are priceless!

 

thanks everybody for all the god tips.