as my name implies, im trying to get together enough information on a whole bunch of vehicles before picking one. I dont have much experience with these older trucks, but am very interested in them. Could someone please tell me if it is possible / how hard is it to put one together so that it has a comfortable ride. Like suspension tweaks, weight distribution, things to look out for. I want to make a road trip with it once its completed, and any help would be greatly appreciated. Thank You
Dan

 

Use the search option, and do some reading on the subject, there is too much info listed on the subject to possibly confine to one thread. Welcome to FTE.


55forder

 

Still... a great place to start is at the sticky with front end alternatives. This will give you some idea of what is involved in a suspension swap. To make an old F truck comfortable enough for a long haul you will have to start there.

I would add comfortable seating and then some good climate control. Don't forget a quiet, efficient drivetrain. Now this is me. I live in the desert and have to drive at least 200 miles to be anywhere else, unless you count Odessa. I don't mind driving a 50 year old truck that drives like a 50 year old truck. Then again, I don't go much further than Odessa.

As I see it, you will pretty much have to rebuild the truck to meet today's comfort standards for a road trip. It is not hard to do. They are simple to work on. Parts are available. And best of all, you have FTE for advise, sympathy and solace from us. best. himmelberg

 

I have a 56 with stock suspension and I love the feel! I enjoy driving it more that many other vehicles, but it does feel like an old truck, heck, thats what I like about it. It does not feel like a 04 F250, or any newer truck. Seems like the folks here have tried about every suspension mod and should have lots of ideas!

 

Depends on how "cushy" or how close to the brand new '04 trucks you'd like to get? What year trucks are you considering? What engine displacement? (for weight purposes I ask). What size(s) of tires/wheels to you intend to run? These, and a few more factors all matter, so give us some more info if you can...

Thanks, and welcome to FTE!!!

Butch n Me

PS- air-ride, or "baging it" as they say seems to give the best ride quality from what I've heard. But again, it depends on just how cushy-comfy you need to be...

 

really right now i have not decided much. definately though, i like the 54,5, 6 style, but who doesnt. i figure with the right drivetrain i can take car of the drivability issues, im not looking for it to be fast as possible, just something i wont get tired of driving long distances.

 

I think you should get a chevy, if you haven't decided whether your a Ford man or woman by now then your probably not. If your looking for comfort and ease of driving in an old truck for long distances, forget it. They weren't built that way. These old beaters were built when most of America was still in the dirt and you forded(where do you think this word came from) most creeks. Unless you buy one heavily modified or build it yourself, your not going to find what your looking for. They were tested tough and assembled to last a lifetime.

I've had my old 1960 F100 Custom Cab since 1979. I have driven it more than 250,000 miles. I have rebuilt the 223 six banger once, replaced the block after I wound it out too tight on Peppermint snaps(20 years ago) and it needs rebuilding again now. I replaced the rear end twice and am on my 3rd transmission which I made from the previous two and two more donors from the junk yard. Nothing has ever been easy with this truck and its never road that great even when I put a new seat in it. For all of that I wouldn't trade you one mile of it for comfort in a Chevy.

Sorry for the lecture but the simple fact is that every mile is comfortable when your driving your own effie on the open highway. If it's one of these older FORDS everyone will look and wish they were driving it. You can find the comfort if your willing to go deeep into your pockets or you are one heck of a mechanic and time and money are no option. You want find it stock.
I'll probably get flamed but truth is when Chevy put in the coil springs they won the ride contest in the older models.

 

Hi, StillDeciding

You need to drive a 53/56 F100 with the stock suspension then try a few with different front suspension's. I personally like the Volare front suspension.

Here are a few other things besides suspension to think about. Seat (stock bench, other make bench, aftermarket bench and then buckets),steering column,shifter location,gas tank location,A/C, sound system,power steering,power windows,do you want vent windows or not. The list just keeps growing.

I would think you need to make a list of what is comfortable to you then look for a truck that has most of those items. What is comfortable to you may not be to me or others.

It seems to be cheaper to buy a finished truck rather then start from scratch.

As far as a chevy goes I thought in that era they also had a straight axle with parallel leaf springs.

Good luck

Chuck

 

60+ up had coil spung front ends.(chevy)

 

"Comfort" is a matter of personal distinction. My 48 is a completely stock setup in regards to suspension. I've driven it cross country and drive it every day. I prefer it to the newer trucks, but I'm a glutton for punishment too.

You have a better feel of the road.
You have to actually concentrate on driving and pay attention every moment. Leave the cell phone and coffee cup at home where they belong.
People are friendlier in traffic - most of them.
With a rebuilt (everything) suspension system it is rugged, dependable, and durable.

Down the 'road' I plan to swap in an OD tranny for ease of shifting, and I already have a 9" rearend for road gears, but I plan to leave the stock suspension in place!

 

I have a 48 F1 with stock suspension, manual steering and manual brakes. Also have a 302 V8 with automatic transmission. Even though it rides like an old truck it is not a bad ride. Drove it to work on friday 36 miles each way and had no problem although i did drink my coffee before i left home. Radial tires also makes a big difference in ride quality.

Good luck and let us know what you get.

 

Ditto, Ditto, Ditto

Read the suspension sticky (thats one of the first four or five postings at the top of this Forum List). Any front clip with power steering, disc brakes and IFS will improve the ride characteristice significantly, but the one you choose will depend on your budget, mechanical skills and access to tools & workspace.
IMHO, the seat, shifter location A/C, fuel tank size (=travel distance) & music box are an important part of the package when it comes to driving pleasure but the relative importance of each of these is totally personal taste.

If you only have beginner building skills, enthusiam & and a smaller wallet, your best strategy after deciding if you want an updated modified front clip or stock, is buying a project that someone has given up on and finish it to your own liking.

Join a club in your area and ride/drive a few. Most of us would be willing to let you drive our trucks for a few miles if you came out to a few meetings and showed some genuine interest.

GW

 

If you are looking for all modern stuff, including power steering, power disc brakes, AC, AT, modern engineered suspension, I would consider transferring an effie onto a modern chassis, like a Ranger. I think you can come out ahead time and money. Find the old truck with a good body without drivetrain and graft it onto a modern chassis that has body damage. Sell or auction the leftovers.

Personally I like the truck feel; mine is stock with the exception of the radial tires I added just this past week. My next and last modernization to the suspension will be the addition of rear shocks; my F3 was not built with them.

 

thanks to everyone who replied to this thread, you've been a great help. I gotta work a bucn more before i can drop the coin on the truck, but I do think I'm going to go with one. I like their style, and after drivin in my car a few times i realized i dont need a a truck that has a ride like a new sports car.
they style more than makes up for anything, and as long as it'll last the trips, i'll be perfectly content.
thanks again
Dan

 

Dan,

I can understand your thinking on $$$... and as you said "droppin the coins" is a major decision... you said your main interest was comfort on long drives... while stock configuration will be 'adequate' and assuming the dependability is there you'll arrive alive and in one piece... but there are a few things to consider.....

I don't know your age but a three or four hour drive in a modern ride leaves my 57 year old bones and muscles tired and stiff... I'm good for about 2 hours before a break to stretch and get things back where they go. I'm like you and hope to enjoy rides to the coast... Knoxville and other sites ranging from 150 to 400 miles... I'm building for comfort. It doesn't cost that much (if any) more to put in a late model bench seat vrs rebuilding a stocker... you might be a youngster now..and stiff seats and armstrong steering are cool.... but time will fix that soon enough...

If you're changing suspensions to volare or some other ifs... the column is a minimum cost to add... a few creature comforts when looking at the total price of the truck are minimal investments and will add a lot to your enjoyment. You didn't mention family... but my first goal is to make Momma comfy... you know the saying "when Momma ain't comfortable (paraphrased) ain't nobody comfortable"... you see what I'm saying I'm sure...

You can make it stock looking from the exterior and still build the comfort in where it doesn't show... make your plan before you start and that can save you a bunch... ask me how I know

later

John (aw hel*... we'll just cut it out and start over) ... still cooler than my reputation for do-overs... now, where's my torch ?