Selling the '54 springs??

 

Wow, I'm about to have the same kit installed in my '53. I hope it goes smoothly.

I'd be prettyy disappointed with Mid-Fifty and CPP if that happened to me.

 

Its a 53-56 kit so u may have a similar issue. The guy asked if my angle bar was stamped 53-56 to make sure it was the correct one and sure enough it was.

Cest La Vie

 

I am trying to unload the springs

 

Had the same problem with my kit form Mid Fifty. I ended up using a torch to heat it up, and "tweeked" the angles to get it to fit flush. I then repainted it to match frame. Can't tell it was ever messed with.

 

Thats a good idea and probably what I will do. It just bugs me that it didnt fit from the box. But thats restomodding/restoration

 

Great build! Definitely along the line of what i want to do. One question, How are you gonna address the master cylinder relocation? I believe adding the power booster will push it under the seat, won't it?

Great work, definitely keeping my eye on this build!

 

It does push it under the seat and removing my seat any time I want to check my fluid level is not my idea of fun!

I'm going remote reservoir. It has a piece that snaps in place of the master cylinder cap and you can mount your reservoir anywhere you want.

 

Got a little time to work on the truck over the weekend.

Got my 1956 springs cleaned up and pretty with new bushings etc and mounted to the frame. I went with the 2" Y hangers from mid fifty and it should lower the rear by only about 1.5 inches which is fine with me. It also changes out one of the bushings in the Y hanger with rubber which should lead to a smoother ride... maybe...



I went with a 9" rear end from a 1971 F150 for the highway gears and easy interchangeability of the gearing if I wanted to ruin a pair of tires somewhere but right now I'm running 3.00 gearing. I figure with my 390 and a C6 that should be more than fine and still let me run above 55-65 without the truck screaming.



I mounted the 9" up with bracketry from a 1958 ford pickup and it came together like it was made for it... because it was It lets me keep the shock mounts where they belong also. I did get new u bolts bent for me at the local spring shop.




I just need to clean up the thirdmember, brake backing plates etc. and plumb new line to the rear and I'll have a rolling chassis!

 

Looking good. Always nice to make progress.

 

Anyone install a rear sway bar?

I was mocking up the rear sway bar today and ran into a couple clearance issues.



When the bar is secured on the top of the axle the ends of the bar interfere with the springs at the same place both sides


If I tilt back where its secured to the axle to about a 45 degree angle I get better clearance but its still close to the springs.


Does anyone know if this poses a problem as far as the way that the sway bar is supposed to work? I assume that I can mount it anywhere at all as long as its secure.

My other questions is routing of the brake lines. the mount for the bar uses exhaust clamps to get around the axle and Its looking like it will pinch the brake lines. I was thinking about notching the clamp to allow the brake line to pass through but I'm worried about vibration rubbing a hole in the line eventually. Should I just run new line?


Thanks in advance!

 

Is the bar made for your truck? I don't see how it is supposed to work. The ends should be attached real close to the axle, not up front on the springs.

By all means route new brake lines if you keep the bar mounted like that.

 

The sway bar is from midfifty made for this application. It doesnt mount on the springs in the front. It just hits one of the spring clamps when bolted down to the top of the axle. I need to put a couple brackets on the frame for it to mount up to also.

<a href="http://s44.photobucket.com/albums/f31/althalus10/1956%20F-100/?action=view&amp;current=rearbar.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i44.photobucket.com/albums/f31/althalus10/1956%20F-100/rearbar.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>

I guess its probably a good idea to just do all new brake lines anyway

 

No one has installed a rear sway bar?

I'm starting to get itchy with this truck. I just want to throw the cab back on it and drive it around like a wild man for a while lol.

 

Never installed one on these trucks, but from looking at the drawing and your pics I'd say that the bar is too wide. It shows it connecting to brackets that look like they would be on the inboard side of the frame rails. I'd contact Mid-Fifty and see what they say. Might have sent out the wrong one.