'56 vs '53 rear leaf spring location
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From: Show Low AZ
'56 vs '53 rear leaf spring location
Hello folks! It's been a long time since I've posted due to circumstances beyond my control forcing me to put "Ole Blue" on the way back burner. But now I'm back to work on it. The '56 frame was no good but all the suspension was good so I'm using it on a '53 frame. I'm hanging the rear springs (reversed eye lowered) on the new frame and I knew the '56 springs were 4" longer so's I figured all I've gotta do is move the rear spring perches back 4". Hummmmmm- Now the axle doesn't line up under the axle bumpers. Looks like the axle is about 1 1/4" further forward. Can anybody get me the measurement of a '55 or '56 F100 from the end of the frame to the rear spring front perch? Thanks, Randy 
Laughing Gas
Joined: Jul 2002
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From: east central Illinois
I think you'll need different shocks, too. I believe they used a different style top mount. The shocks up to '55 had an eye mount. The top end of the '56 shock looks like a rod. Not sure if I got the terminology correct.
Kevin Kessler
1953 Ford F-100
Go Illini
Kevin Kessler
1953 Ford F-100
Go Illini
Cargo Master
Joined: Jan 2005
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From: Tucson AZ
hint from an "old guy" go to George's A-1 illustration and look at the 2nd and 3rd crossmembers from the rear. Think about reversing their positions, one is flat, the other kicks up. By reversing them the one with the kick will be above the rear housing, this will give you some additional exhaust clearance and move your shock mounts up for a little additional travel. Hey it's just labor, IMHO it's one of those things that hits the sweet spot when your shocks don't bottom out and the pipes don't hit the rear. good luck
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From: Show Low AZ
Thanks guys! George, I needed that diagram. FFFord, you are right about the shocks, I'm going to use '53 shocks. FF56, that's and interesting idea about swapping xmembers. I wonder if the kickup xmember being in the shock hanger spot would interfere with the bed boards ? Merc286, best I can tell my front spring perches from center to end of frame is 60 1/8" , so 58" from rear rivet is about right. That leads me to believe that the rear spring front perches are in the same location on '53 thru '56. So what could be the deal with the spring pack bolts not being centered in the axle kickup? Poor or indifferent aftermarket quality control? Best fix for getting the axle centered? Any opinions on drilling another hole in the axle perches about 1 1/8 " further forward. I'm confident that will work but wonder about safety and performance changes. Thanks, Randy
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From: So California
This is an interesting post. I was unaware that there was a difference between the 53-55 and the 56 frames. My truck is a mongrel made up of several years. The cab is a 56. The truck is registered as a 53 and I have always assumed that the frame was a 53. I have a straight, uncut 54 frame that I was planning on moving all of the body parts on to. Looks like I will have to dig into things a little further. Are there any other differences with the frame on the different years? Any other problems that I might encounter? If I use the 54 frame with springs from the same year I am assuming everything will be OK. Correct?
Thanks
Scott
Thanks
Scott
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Cargo Master
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From: Tucson AZ
PD56, you can swap the x-members without interfering with the bed floor, you might look at your springs too, I don't THINK the thru bolt is dead center in the spring, I think there is a front and rear, might be good to check before you start doing hard work.
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From: Show Low AZ
SCD, the frames from 53-56 are generally the same but the 55-56 had longer rear springs, and the running board brackets are different on a 56 cuz the gas tank is inside the cab rather than underneath. There is probably a few other little things I haven't discovered yet, but overall the frames interchange pretty good. FF56, the springs are approx 24" forward and 28" aft of the spring pack bolt. Pretty much goes only one way. The crossmember idea looks totally workable. Thanks , Randy
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