Rough Ride
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New User
Joined: Oct 2005
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Rough Ride?
Hey I have a 49 Truck, and I was wondering what if anything people have done about the rough suspension. I want something that can be an everyday driver, and I can get there without having aches and pains from every little bump along the way. Just looking to get some ideas.
Posting Guru
Joined: Mar 2003
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From: Kansas City area
49Ford-
This has been discussed alot in the past. To get a feel for what has been discussed go to the "Articles/Specs" at the top of the forum and look at Suspension Alternatives". This should give you some ideas depending on your budget and skills.
This has been discussed alot in the past. To get a feel for what has been discussed go to the "Articles/Specs" at the top of the forum and look at Suspension Alternatives". This should give you some ideas depending on your budget and skills.
Thread Starter
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New User
Joined: Oct 2005
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Rough Ride
Hi, just wondering if anyone has done anything to smooth out the ride on there 49 ford trucks. I want something that I can drive everyday, and not have a sore body from the feeling every little bump on the road. Looking forward to hearing what you have done.
Posting Guru
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 1,734
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From: Kansas City area
49ford-
Look at the top of the forum at "Articles/Specs", then Suspension Alternatives. This will give you some insight to the various things that have been discussed regarding ride and driveablility of these old trucks. You might also do a search on "rear springs" or "rear axles" to get some additional info.
Look at the top of the forum at "Articles/Specs", then Suspension Alternatives. This will give you some insight to the various things that have been discussed regarding ride and driveablility of these old trucks. You might also do a search on "rear springs" or "rear axles" to get some additional info.
Senior User
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 218
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From: Highwood, Montana
I wrestled with this same thing last year when I had my '51 F1 tore down to the frame. I wanted a better ride/handling than the stock setup. You can make this setup ride, handle, and stop fairly well, but you're going to spend about a $1,000 if you also want pwr steering. I like IFS kits, but was worried they weren't strong enough to rely on for a real truck (just in case I wanted to tow or haul something). I talked with a guy who has owned a rod shop for 20+ years, says they have installed mustang II IFS kits and some really heavy old cars, and pickups that have actually been used to haul boats, etc., he says they've never once had trouble. So, I shopped around and bought a sweet TCI IFS kit, with sway-bar and power steering, for only$1,395. With coil-over adjustable QA1 shocks I'll be able to tune in my ride heigth and stiffness.
Gary
Gary
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Joined: Oct 2005
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I was thinking somebody had said that mono-leaves are MUCH better than the old stockers as far as comfort and handling. I could be wrong.
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Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Jun 2004
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From: Minnesota
If you are not worried about capacity remove leaf springs, most people remove every other one to start with.
Originally Posted by 49ford
Hey I have a 49 Truck, and I was wondering what if anything people have done about the rough suspension. I want something that can be an everyday driver, and I can get there without having aches and pains from every little bump along the way. Just looking to get some ideas.
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Joe Kucinski
Lead Driver
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 8,813
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From: Littleton, New Hampshire
The most effective thing you can do is change the suspension to MII, Volare, or a GM clip to make it ride smooth. I went the Volare route myself but if you want to keep your truck more stock you can work with the original suspension and improve it some. You can remove every other leaf in both the front and rear springs and while you have them apart grind the spring leaf ends to keep them from digging in to each other. When you put them back together use new spring bolts and teflon liner between the leaves. This will also lower the truck a couple of inches... 
Vern
Vern
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Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 12
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From: Rural missouri
I tried the every other spring removal idea and added the plastic between the remaining ones as not to lower the ride height so much. I just did this on the rear and it did help some. But like 4tl8ford said, these old trucks were ment to work and were not built for comfort.
Hotshot
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 15,882
Likes: 88
From: Durham NC
If there hasn't been anything done to the suspension previously, just taking the springs apart, sanding the leaves smooth and grinding the end round where the leaves contact each other (DON'T paint the leaves!), putting the plastic strips in between removing every other leaf, and replacing the eye and shackle bushings (this will probably make the biggest difference) Should go a long way towards smoothing the ride. Also replace the shocks with new ones while everything is apart. Radial passenger car or light truck tires will also soften the ride and improve the handling.