Notices
1948 - 1956 F1, F100 & Larger F-Series Trucks Discuss the Fat Fendered and Classic Ford Trucks

too much bounce

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Dec 18, 2011 | 08:23 PM
  #1  
6995pony's Avatar
6995pony
Thread Starter
|
New User
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 5
Likes: 0
too much bounce

hi everyone i have a 49 f1 with a chassie engineering mustang 2 front suspension with a 4inch drop, and the rear i removed every other leaf spring and relocated the axel on top of the springs. the axel is a disc brake rear from an 2001 explorer the springs are original 49 ford units. my problem is when i hit the slightest bump the rear bottom out like i am driving off road . does any one have some suggestions on what i did wrong and how to fix it without airbags or cutting the frame i will let that be my last expensive resort.
 
Reply
Old Dec 18, 2011 | 08:31 PM
  #2  
ALBUQ F-1's Avatar
ALBUQ F-1
Fleet Owner
20 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 27,297
Likes: 1,059
From: NM
Did you put in shorter shocks?

How much clearance is there, sitting still, between the top of the axle and the bottom of the frame?
 
Reply
Old Dec 18, 2011 | 08:32 PM
  #3  
6995pony's Avatar
6995pony
Thread Starter
|
New User
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 5
Likes: 0
about 4 maybe 6 inches
 
Reply
Old Dec 18, 2011 | 08:34 PM
  #4  
6995pony's Avatar
6995pony
Thread Starter
|
New User
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 5
Likes: 0
who has a good shock for lowered trucks i serched the net a got too many different ansewers
 
Reply
Old Dec 18, 2011 | 08:35 PM
  #5  
4tl8ford's Avatar
4tl8ford
Post Fiend
20 Year Member
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 7,493
Likes: 7
From: Erie, pa
Most rear over axles require a c-notch in the frame
Other that that I would think that all the other modifications you made may have screwed up the suspension geomerty just a tad
 
Reply
Old Dec 18, 2011 | 08:39 PM
  #6  
6995pony's Avatar
6995pony
Thread Starter
|
New User
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 5
Likes: 0
starting from the begining i used stock shackles, they are rebuilt springs are in factory mounting position pinion angle was corrected. where should i look for soloution and thanks for the help i ran out of ideas on what to do
 
Reply
Old Dec 18, 2011 | 09:49 PM
  #7  
kcb37's Avatar
kcb37
Senior User
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 493
Likes: 0
Adding a spring or two back in should help, going to be a rougher ride.
But it will keep the springs from flexing so much when you hit a bump, and hitting the bump stops.
Other then that, you probably need air bags to keep your ride, or put the axle back under the springs.
 
Reply
Old Dec 18, 2011 | 09:51 PM
  #8  
tinman52's Avatar
tinman52
Welder User
15 Year Member
Photogenic
Photoriffic
Shutterbug
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 5,269
Likes: 50
From: northwest MT
Club FTE Silver Member

What is your current shock setup? If stock, they are probably not vertical enough to do any good. You may have to put a couple spring leaves back in if it is to mushy.
 
Reply
FTE Stories

Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts

story-0

Top 10 Fords at 2026 Carlisle Ford Nationals

 Joe Kucinski
story-1

3 Best / 3 Worst Parts of Modern Ford Ownership

 Brett Foote
story-2

10 Amazing Upgrades That Solve Common Ford Truck Owner Headaches

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-3

Every 2026 Ford Engine Explained

 Brett Foote
story-4

10 Ugly Ford Trucks That We Still Kinda Love

 Joe Kucinski
story-5

10 Things Every Truck Owner NEEDS (2026 Edition)

 Michael S. Palmer
story-6

Rezvani's Latest Post-Apocalyptic Monster Is a Ford F-150 Raptor Underneath

 Verdad Gallardo
story-7

Top 10 Most Expensive Ford Trucks Ever Sold on Bring a Trailer

 Joe Kucinski
story-8

2027 Ford Super Duty Buyer's Guide (Every Model, Engine, & Package)

 Brett Foote
story-9

Top 10 Ford Truck Tragedies

 Joe Kucinski
Old Dec 18, 2011 | 10:04 PM
  #9  
6995pony's Avatar
6995pony
Thread Starter
|
New User
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 5
Likes: 0
sorry for the long response i went outside to take some measurements . after putting finished bed on truck the suspension was resting about 1/4 inch from the factory bumper on the frame i am goint to remove and test drive with out rubber bumper and start from this point i will repost an update with the results and thanks again yall information made me look again and i found something i missed two minds are better than one
 
Reply
Old Dec 19, 2011 | 08:51 AM
  #10  
kcb37's Avatar
kcb37
Senior User
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 493
Likes: 0
I think if you want to keep the axle over the springs a C notch is going to be your best bet. At that space you still won't have alot of room for the suspension to compress with or without the bumper.
You can add springs back, but that could be very rough ride.
I would also agree with everyone on shocks.
Sorry to hear it's not quite what you were wanting. But as with anything that's life.
You'll get it figured out one way or the other.
 
Reply
Old Dec 19, 2011 | 08:59 AM
  #11  
4tl8ford's Avatar
4tl8ford
Post Fiend
20 Year Member
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 7,493
Likes: 7
From: Erie, pa
What should be done is get a weight on the front and rear axles - Then measure your springs front and rear and get the Spring Rate calculated - If the Spring Rates are bad then correct the springs - If that comes within acceptable range get shocks that fit the spring rate and amount of travel available.
If you just make random changes your throwing money at the problem instead of solutions
 
Reply
Old Dec 19, 2011 | 09:48 AM
  #12  
topmoo's Avatar
topmoo
Postmaster
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 3,222
Likes: 6
From: Houston
1/4" of spring travel? You might need to add some of the springs back or bite the bullet and get a new set. Taking the rubber bumpers out isn't going to help anything, they just protect the axle housing and the frame from hitting each other and doing damage.
 
Reply
Old Dec 19, 2011 | 09:54 AM
  #13  
Jeff and Nicolle's Avatar
Jeff and Nicolle
Logistics Pro
10 Year Member
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 3,577
Likes: 29
From: Pekin, IL
Club FTE Gold Member
I was going to question the 4-6 inches clearance, but you already answered that question. I also have an 8.8 disc brake unit from an explorer. I don't think removing the bump stops are going to help much. sounds like everyone has you heading the right direction. I used springs and hangers from an '89 Dodge Dakota, then had to install add-a-leafs to bring it up a bit. Cheap but it did require some fabrication and welding. If I remember correctly, 3" clearance was a good minimum clearance between the top of the axle and bottom of frame. Another thing, my truck is originally an F3. I believe the bump stops are different than the F1's they are pretty thin and would give you more clearance. I have pics at home(I'm at "work" ) if interested.
Welcome to the forum! Jeff
 
Reply
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
46fordtruck
1948 - 1956 F1, F100 & Larger F-Series Trucks
6
Mar 30, 2016 08:55 PM
raerjim
1948 - 1956 F1, F100 & Larger F-Series Trucks
5
Apr 23, 2010 06:19 AM
hooverdammatt
1948 - 1956 F1, F100 & Larger F-Series Trucks
4
Mar 14, 2007 09:58 AM
havi
1948 - 1956 F1, F100 & Larger F-Series Trucks
44
Dec 26, 2006 07:46 PM
mymerc
1948 - 1956 F1, F100 & Larger F-Series Trucks
16
Apr 9, 2006 10:13 AM




All times are GMT -5. The time now is 10:02 PM.

story-0
Top 10 Fords at 2026 Carlisle Ford Nationals

Slideshow: Top 10 Fords at 2026 Ford Nationals

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-06-09 11:10:08


VIEW MORE
story-1
3 Best / 3 Worst Parts of Modern Ford Ownership

Based on years of owning multiple modern Ford products.

By Brett Foote | 2026-06-09 10:53:36


VIEW MORE
story-2
10 Amazing Upgrades That Solve Common Ford Truck Owner Headaches

SPONSORED: From muddy boots to rain-soaked cargo, these upgrades address some of the most common frustrations Ford truck owners face every day.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-06-08 18:50:34


VIEW MORE
story-3
Every 2026 Ford Engine Explained

Here's everything you need to know about every Ford engine available for the 2026 model year.

By Brett Foote | 2026-06-05 12:58:01


VIEW MORE
story-4
10 Ugly Ford Trucks That We Still Kinda Love

Slideshow: 10 ugly Ford trucks that we still kinda love.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-06-03 09:51:16


VIEW MORE
story-5
10 Things Every Truck Owner NEEDS (2026 Edition)

Slideshow: the best gifts for dads & grads

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-06-03 15:43:58


VIEW MORE
story-6
Rezvani's Latest Post-Apocalyptic Monster Is a Ford F-150 Raptor Underneath

Slideshow: Called the Fortress, the 850-horsepower pickup combines Raptor underpinnings with military-inspired features, survival equipment, and a starting price of $285,000.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-06-03 11:38:36


VIEW MORE
story-7
Top 10 Most Expensive Ford Trucks Ever Sold on Bring a Trailer

Slideshow: 10 most expensive Ford trucks ever sold on Bring a Trailer.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-27 16:24:34


VIEW MORE
story-8
2027 Ford Super Duty Buyer's Guide (Every Model, Engine, & Package)

Here's everything that has changed for the latest model year.

By Brett Foote | 2026-05-27 16:17:28


VIEW MORE
story-9
Top 10 Ford Truck Tragedies

Slideshow: Top 10 Ford truck tragedies.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-18 19:34:33


VIEW MORE