So this weekend I am swapping out the worn out parts with the ones I got a few weeks back. There was one thing in particular I wanted to toss up on this board for feedback. On the HAMB there was a gent out of TX who lowered his F-1 front end by boxing his front axle and putting the axle over the springs. I can't weld, so that is out of my question...but I may be able to find someone to weld it. Anyways, he said as long as the welding is done right, it is safe and reliable...he drives his F-1 all over.

My thought was to pull a bunch of leaves out and leave it a spring over for the time being, and use the extra axle to tinker with. If I could find someone to make these welds...is it worth giving it a shot, or would I basically end up with a worthless axle anyways?

 

i read that article somewhere can you post the link its very interesting....

 

I had removed every other spring and got about a 2" drop, but it puts the bottom bumpers pretty close to the axle. It also makes the suspension very mushy, and I was wondering about body roll in corners.

I was thinking about the axle over the springs earlier, but wondered about the axle being so close to the bottom bumpers. There wouldn't be much range of motion, and since I have the original flathead, the pan would be to close to the axle to cut down the bumpers. I'm afraid they would suffer a contact experience that would not be good for either of them. But then again, I would have the stiffer front suspension back.

Mine is a 53 f100, not a 49 f1, so I'm not sure if you have more room.

I'm going to check out the HAMB post, and see what that guy did. Thanks for the post.

 

You could spend $400 (sometimes less) and buy a dropped axle in either 2" or 3" of drop. You'd keep your original springs and the suspension travel is not affected.

 

Yeah, I know exactly how much a drop axle costs...I have looked. I have also searched evilbay for 3 years for one...they don't come up often. Unfortunately at this time cash is the limiting factor (as sad as that sounds). I am going to get the front end set as well as I can for now with what I have, and let the axle matter be till probably next winter, so the possability of having an extra $400 for the axle is there. Having said that, I always look at ways to do things on my own, or on the cheap. I wouldn't call a properly welded spring under conversion wrong, or questionable...but this is also coming from a guy who does not weld nor has any idea what welding does to metal.



I look forward to a spongier ride...driving it before you would question if it had any suspension at all it rode so stiff.

 

It's not quite as simple as moving the axle over the springs.....first you would have to notch the frame over the axle so it doesn't bottom out. Also the tie rod will likely interfere with the springs, and possibly the oil pan (depending on engine). The biggest hurdle is the drag link. Raising the axle puts the drag link at an incline which produces bump steer. (the steering wheel turns when you hit a bump, not good) Bending the steering arm down can help. All in all it's a pretty big job with mixed results, IMO. Looks cool, but........

 

I see. Well, maybe just sticking with the removed leaves for now, and save my pennies for an axle from Sid will be worth it then. I was just shooting for ideas since the gent from Texas was the only guy I knew of that actually did that and drove it with success. He told me about the frame stuff, and drag link as well...since I dont know how to weld maybe its best I stick with prooven parts rather than cross my fingers.

 

There is also a guy on the HAMB that flipped the front axle on a 62 Ford. He shows what he did, and why, in great detail.

I'm not a fabricator, so I think I'm going to stick with the removed springs too. I'll get a drop axle if I don't like the way it looks or drives. And when I see how the rest of the build goes, from a budget standpoint.

 

I wasn't trying to tell you not to do it.....only that it isn't super simple if done correctly. My thought was, if you are going to do all that work, why not go with a jag or similar setup......and get better ride, steering, brakes, etc.
My 52 has the original axle setup, I just de-arched the font springs and removed some leaves. Yeah, I wouldn't mind if it were lower,but I'm not going to tear it all apart to do it. I wanna drive this thing before I die! Is it spring yet???

 

Well, lets just say this weekend was an eye opener. I am so SO thankfull that I found parts in such good condition. There was little left of my front end that was salvagable. The drag link was bent at least 4", one of the steering springs was missing that holds the link to the pitman arm, the spring bushings were shot...just about the only thing worth saving was the brakes which I replaced everything already there.

I swapped the new axle as a complete unit into my truck. I took his backing plates, hubs and drums off and bolted mine on. As of right now the truck sits on 4 leaf springs per side and it is not enough. It rides about an inch from the bump stop. Some moron PO welded a bolt on the frame in front of the front shackles to stop the springs from traveling???so I took that off. For the first time my truck has suspension!!! Very little...but more than it ever had. The steering box swap was honestly secondary to the improvements the front end parts made, and all these years I thought it was the other way around.

I am selling everything I can right now to afford Sid's dropped axle. It is stupid simple, and it would be a waste of my time to work around something that was already thought out and made to do exactly what I want. I already need to drop the front end again to replace a few leaf springs, so I will wait till I get Sid's axle and replace some leaves then.

HUGE thanks goes out to the gents that lended a hand on Saturday. I have a hard time working by myself, and these guys stood by and laughed, got dirty, and learned a little with me. I owe yall....

 

There was a party and we weren't invited??

 

There's always some wrenchin going on over the weekend around here! What's better than wrenchin and drinkin alone....but wrenchin and drinkin with your friends!

 

Excellent job on getting all the new part in place.

Bobby

 

good idea about going with Sid's dropped axel...he'll do you right...just remember to make sure you get tie rod extensions you'll need them for clearance...but you know that already...

 

Is Sid the guy that stretches the stock axles?

Wow, 4" of bend? That must feel better now!