1964 ride height
Thread Starter
|
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Jan 2014
Posts: 1,529
Likes: 271
From: Billings Montana
1964 ride height
Does anyone have the ride height measurements of a 64 F100 SWB CC with a 292 should be. This was ordered with 1250 lb 2 stage rear leafs 5/3 and 450 4 leaf helper springs on the rear and 1100 lb springs on the front. 6 leaves. Thinking about getting new springs from Eaton Detroit as my truck sit about an inch lower on one side. Pretty sure after 60 years the springs have served their purpose and have quite a bit of sag in them.
Lead Gopher
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 10,014
Likes: 1,565
From: Seattle
1964 Ford Truck Salesmans Data Book only lists ride heights for base equipment and then refers the reader to the 1964 Body Builders book for dimensions with other than standard equipment. So, 6-cylinder, 3 on the tree with no optional equipment, full tank of fuel, oil, water and lubricants is what the Data Book shows.
Fordification has a couple of the pages from the Body Builders book here.
p2_f100swb_01.jpg (3784×2728) (fordification.info)
p3_f100swb.jpg (3868×2081) (fordification.info)
I found a couple of the NOS C1TT-5310-AN leaf springs for my 1964. That number is for the 1,100 lbs. 6 leaf front springs. When I first saw them, I couldn't believe how much arch these new springs have compared to the ones on my truck. Of course, out of the 12 total front leaves I think 4 are broken on my 1964 so I really needed something new. Would you like to see a picture of the arch on these new ones? Not installed, just sitting unweighted.
One from Dennis Carpenter NOS and one from Green Sales.
Fordification has a couple of the pages from the Body Builders book here.
p2_f100swb_01.jpg (3784×2728) (fordification.info)
p3_f100swb.jpg (3868×2081) (fordification.info)
I found a couple of the NOS C1TT-5310-AN leaf springs for my 1964. That number is for the 1,100 lbs. 6 leaf front springs. When I first saw them, I couldn't believe how much arch these new springs have compared to the ones on my truck. Of course, out of the 12 total front leaves I think 4 are broken on my 1964 so I really needed something new. Would you like to see a picture of the arch on these new ones? Not installed, just sitting unweighted.
One from Dennis Carpenter NOS and one from Green Sales.
Thread Starter
|
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Jan 2014
Posts: 1,529
Likes: 271
From: Billings Montana
TA on the chart with tires and wheels. The 6.50 16 6 tires show a rim of 16x5k. Is the 5 the rim width? and what does the K mean? I ask because I have 4 16 inch wheels that are 5 inches wide but some have told me the pickup should have been 4.5 inches wide. I also found this chart. Looks like mine might be down about 2 to 3 inches all the way around. 66Page133.jpg (2313×2007) (fordification.info)
Lead Gopher
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 10,014
Likes: 1,565
From: Seattle
I might have asked you if the 16's you had were 4.5" or 5" a while back out of curiosity. Could have been either one from this information but that covers a lot of years. The K simply stands for width.
The “K” in Ford’s wheel dimensions, such as 16 x 5K, typically refers to the wheel width. It indicates the width of the wheel, specifically the distance between the inner edges of the wheel rim. The letter “K” is used to denote the width measurement.
For example, if you see a wheel size like 16 x 5K, it means that the wheel has a diameter of 16 inches and a width (or rim width) of approximately 5 inches. The “K” helps specify this critical dimension for proper tire fitment and overall wheel performance.
Keep in mind that wheel markings can vary across different manufacturers and regions, but the “K” consistently represents the wheel width in this context.
The “K” in Ford’s wheel dimensions, such as 16 x 5K, typically refers to the wheel width. It indicates the width of the wheel, specifically the distance between the inner edges of the wheel rim. The letter “K” is used to denote the width measurement.
For example, if you see a wheel size like 16 x 5K, it means that the wheel has a diameter of 16 inches and a width (or rim width) of approximately 5 inches. The “K” helps specify this critical dimension for proper tire fitment and overall wheel performance.
Keep in mind that wheel markings can vary across different manufacturers and regions, but the “K” consistently represents the wheel width in this context.
Thread Starter
|
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Jan 2014
Posts: 1,529
Likes: 271
From: Billings Montana
So the 5 inch wheels I have may or may not be correct? But who is going to know? Right? The first chart you posted showed passenger 6.50 16"s and truck 6.50 16's. Could that be the wheel difference as in passenger tires were mounted on a 4.5 inch wheel and truck tires were mounted on a 5 inch wheel?
Lead Gopher
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 10,014
Likes: 1,565
From: Seattle
I think earlier light trucks (and passenger cars) used the 4.5" and by 1964 you'd probably see a minimum width of 5" for a 16" Ford 5-lug truck wheel.
Here's a bigger picture showing these leaf springs end to end.
The arch in the middle from the ground up is roughly 6.5". Once the weight of the 292 is on them I'm sure they will settle quite a bit. My originals - I'm not sure if they even have any arch left to them but it'll be interesting to see once they have no weight on them.
Here's a bigger picture showing these leaf springs end to end.
The arch in the middle from the ground up is roughly 6.5". Once the weight of the 292 is on them I'm sure they will settle quite a bit. My originals - I'm not sure if they even have any arch left to them but it'll be interesting to see once they have no weight on them.
Trending Topics
Thread Starter
|
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Jan 2014
Posts: 1,529
Likes: 271
From: Billings Montana
FTE Stories
Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts
10 Best Ford Truck Engines We Miss the Most!
Joe Kucinski
2026 Shelby F-150 Off-Road: Better Than a Raptor R?
Brett Foote
2027 Super Duty Carhartt Package First Look: 12 Things You NEED to Know!
Michael S. Palmer
10 Most Surprising 2026 Ford Truck Features!
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 Ford Trucks Coming to Mecum Indy 2026
Brett Foote
5 Best / 5 Worst Ford Truck Wheels of All Time
Joe Kucinski
Ford Super Duty: 5 Things Owners LOVE, 5 Things They LOATHE!
Joe Kucinski
Every 2026 Ford Truck Engine RANKED from WORST to FIRST!
Michael S. Palmer
The Best F-150 Deal of Every Trim Level (XL through Raptor)
Joe Kucinski
Hotshot
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 16,135
Likes: 4,735
From: Burbank, WA
Heavy duty suspension would have come with wider wheels. I'd say your 16x5's would be considered correct. Who's to say different? While they're down there picking your wheels apart, kick 'em in the teeth. 
Lead Gopher
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 10,014
Likes: 1,565
From: Seattle
Here's some info from the Weights section. Everything from grill guards to radios. Not sure that helps with ride height but you can see they took these things into account. 292 is on the next page and says 115 pounds (more than the 223). I'll post that when I have a chance. Service is down for me at the moment.
