46 and 48 Frames
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From: Southern Oregon
46 and 48 Frames
A couple of years ago I parted out a 1949 F-1. In the process I noticed that its frame seemed to be identical to my 46, except for extra tabs to mount the wider cab. The springs, hangers all looked the same. Just received a catalog from Concourse and see that they have rear monoleaf springs for 48-52 F-1's. Why would the springs not fit 42-47? Are the frames of 42-47 identical to the 48 to 50 or 52, like I think? I am considering the rear monoleafs to lower the rear end. My front end is down there, with a 4 inch dropped axle and monoleaf springs.
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From: Orange County, CA
I'm not totally sure on how closely they are realted...they look very very close between the 2 gens of the trucks. I have seen catalogs list the springs as 42-52 and sometimes only as 42-47. I have seen that when buying Mustang II crossmembers, they are always listed as 42-47, and 48-52...so in that case, it might be some thing such as width, but the springs might be the same. Like MT said, get measurements of the width of the spriing at shackle, and distance from eye to eye.
BTW...is your dropped axle a dropped stock one, or a new one?
BTW...is your dropped axle a dropped stock one, or a new one?
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From: Southern Oregon
46 and 48 frames
The dropped axle is a new tubular unit. It was one of the first things I purchased way back in 1993 when this project started. Maker was Magnum. They also did the monoleafs. I actually found the receipt a couple of months ago, and gave them a call to find out what the axle length was, as I remembered it had been narrowed slightly. All they could say was that it was a custom order. The spring saddles(?) and the lower shock mounts were done by a small shop in Wichita, Kansas, where we were at the time.
The project has been delayed a long time, but has seen major progress the last few months. If the weather here in Southern Oregon holds, it will be ready for its first couple of miles on the road in the next week or two, even though it will be fenderless and doorless.
The project has been delayed a long time, but has seen major progress the last few months. If the weather here in Southern Oregon holds, it will be ready for its first couple of miles on the road in the next week or two, even though it will be fenderless and doorless.
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From: Southern Oregon
46 and 48 frames
mtflat, If your offer to make the measurements still stands I would appreciate the info. Checked your F-1 out and it is nice! Can't believe you had if full of sod though.
Thanks,
Mike
Thanks,
Mike
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From: Kalispell, MT
Hi Mike,
Sod? yeah, and now it's loaded with straw bales. Last week it was hauling firewood. Gotta earn it's keep you know.........
Rear spring width is 2"
Brackets are mounted on the frame 44" apart (center to center - actually measured the grease zerks)
Shackle length on rear mount is 2 1/4" c/c
Installed spring length is 44 3/4" (Not a lot of straw in the box and it's light)
If you need other dimensions, let me know.
Sod? yeah, and now it's loaded with straw bales. Last week it was hauling firewood. Gotta earn it's keep you know.........
Rear spring width is 2"
Brackets are mounted on the frame 44" apart (center to center - actually measured the grease zerks)
Shackle length on rear mount is 2 1/4" c/c
Installed spring length is 44 3/4" (Not a lot of straw in the box and it's light)
If you need other dimensions, let me know.
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From: Southern Oregon
46 and 48 frames
Thanks a lot Tim. I will lot you know how your measurements match up with mine, but it will be a couple of days. Mike
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From: Southern Oregon
46 and 48 frames
MTflat, The measurements are: 2 inch wide spring, hangers 44 inches apart, shackle 2 3/4 inches long, top of shackle 2 inches wide, installed spring length 43 5/8 inches, springs are brand new, and there is no bed or bumper on the back. Can't remember the number of leaves, as I removed either one or two per side, of the shortest lengths, so there was either 7 or 8 (did it 10 years ago). Unfortunately it is not definitive, but it sounds like everything is the same except for shorter shackles. Wonder what the purpose of that was? It does not make sense to me that Ford would change from '47 to '48 going with a spring that was 1 inch or less longer, and a shackle that was 1/2 inch shorter.
Wouldn't a shorter shackle on a spring of equal length just mean shorter vertical travel?
Mike
Wouldn't a shorter shackle on a spring of equal length just mean shorter vertical travel?
Mike
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From: Kalispell, MT
Sounds like they might be pretty close Mike. I was curious enough to re-check and I could easily call my shackle 2 1/2" With a 1/4" difference you might find that between different suppliers?
Also my rear springs don't have much arch - nearly flat with the box installed and 55 years of use on them. That would account for the extra inch of installed length. Rear springs have 10 leaves, fronts - 8
Also my rear springs don't have much arch - nearly flat with the box installed and 55 years of use on them. That would account for the extra inch of installed length. Rear springs have 10 leaves, fronts - 8
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From: Southern Oregon
One more addition to this thread. Thought it may help someone. I saved the radiator and frame from the 49 F-1 to have as a spare for my 46. Radiators and their frames are the same except for number and location of outlet and inlet ports, which are easily changed as needed.
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From: Slippery Rock, Pa.
46 versus 48 frames
Am currently building a 47 truck, also working on a 48 for a friend. The frames are the same from app. the trans mount rearward, the springs and shackles (rear) are also the same. The 48/52 axle (axle only) will interchange with the 42/47 axle. I changed my original for the later to get the later "airplane" type shocks. It is a direct bolt-on, the only thing I had to do was drill holes for the later shock frame brackets.
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From: Southern Oregon
46achers,
I thought so. If the 48 frame is exposed, can you determine if it is the same as your 47 from the trans mount forward, excepting of course the tabs used for the wider 48 cab? I think all of this information is of at least a little importance. There are quite a few more suppliers of 48-52 items than 42-47. I guess there just aren't many of us with the older trucks. Just yesterday I was surfing for a lighter replacement of my heavy front radiator. May have found an aluminum radiator, but it is for a 48-52. Since I know they are the same except for the number of return and outflow ports, it should work.
I thought so. If the 48 frame is exposed, can you determine if it is the same as your 47 from the trans mount forward, excepting of course the tabs used for the wider 48 cab? I think all of this information is of at least a little importance. There are quite a few more suppliers of 48-52 items than 42-47. I guess there just aren't many of us with the older trucks. Just yesterday I was surfing for a lighter replacement of my heavy front radiator. May have found an aluminum radiator, but it is for a 48-52. Since I know they are the same except for the number of return and outflow ports, it should work.
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Joined: Nov 2003
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From: Slippery Rock, Pa.
On the a42/7 versus 48/50 frames. Farom the trans mount forward there is quite a bit of differences, you cannot interchange the complete frame, the front crossmember is larger (wider) and the front frame horns are extended and the bumper bolts to the frame ends, as the 42/7 use bumper brackets along with the bumper. The radiators will interchange. I'm using a 6 cylinder radiaator out of a 52COE in my current project. Replacement rads are avaliable, but are expensive. I'm still using my orginal rad in my 46 pickup- it has been in service for me for over thirty years now. Hope this helps.
Last edited by 46achers; Dec 1, 2003 at 05:21 PM.
