Lifting a 1956
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Lifting a 1956
Hi,
As you can see, I am new here. I am 18 and I am finishing up a partial restoration of my dad's 56 F-100. It is 2wd, with the stock inline 6 and 3 on the tree tranny.
I was wondering if there was a suspension Lift kit anywhere to lift the truck 2 inches all around. We have 15" American Racing reverse smoothies and 31 by 10.5 tires. The back tires rub when we put alot in the bed or go over large bumps in the road. He has a birth day coming up and I thought he would really like this.
Also, would there need to be any modifications to the rest of the truck?
Here is my cardomain page if you are interested in seeing it.
http://www.cardomain.com/ride/2198711
As you can see, I am new here. I am 18 and I am finishing up a partial restoration of my dad's 56 F-100. It is 2wd, with the stock inline 6 and 3 on the tree tranny.
I was wondering if there was a suspension Lift kit anywhere to lift the truck 2 inches all around. We have 15" American Racing reverse smoothies and 31 by 10.5 tires. The back tires rub when we put alot in the bed or go over large bumps in the road. He has a birth day coming up and I thought he would really like this.
Also, would there need to be any modifications to the rest of the truck?
Here is my cardomain page if you are interested in seeing it.
http://www.cardomain.com/ride/2198711
Last edited by lukedogg; Feb 8, 2006 at 06:29 PM.
Lead Driver
Joined: Apr 2002
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From: Littleton, New Hampshire
Welcome aboard....nice looking truck. Most 2wd owners want to go lower not higher but to each his own. How wide are the rear wheels? They ;ppl pretty side from the pictures/ It might just be a matter of getting the right size wheels or narrower tires to gain more clearance. A stock 56 should be high enough as is. Those are some pretty big tires you have on the rear... 
Vern
Vern
Last edited by GreatNorthWoods; Feb 9, 2006 at 08:28 AM.
Laughing Gas
Joined: Feb 2002
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From: DFW, TX
Could you raise the back with some of those aluminum blocks and longer U-bolts? You would also have to change the shocks as the shock mounts would be too low. Not sure how you would do the front.
Just a thought-my first '53 had a set of overload springs above the regular stack of leaves. At each end, there was a drop down clamp with a rubber snubber that hooked under the main springs. When the main springs flattened out too much, they would push on the rubber snubber that engaged the top overload set. I'm not sure this was a stock set-up as I haven't seen it again, but the springs were all the same width and it looked stock.
Good Luck and Welcome!
Just a thought-my first '53 had a set of overload springs above the regular stack of leaves. At each end, there was a drop down clamp with a rubber snubber that hooked under the main springs. When the main springs flattened out too much, they would push on the rubber snubber that engaged the top overload set. I'm not sure this was a stock set-up as I haven't seen it again, but the springs were all the same width and it looked stock.
Good Luck and Welcome!
Hotshot
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 15,882
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From: Durham NC
My guess would be the problem is the fact that you have reversed wheels on the truck which are moving the tires out too far and rubbing Put some wheels on with less offset should solve the problem. Since the truck came with 15" wheels and pretty tall tires and didn't rub fully loaded, the right wheels shouldn't rub now.
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I had a pair of blocks I was gonna use to lower my old car, but they are too wide and the U bolts were rouned, and the ones on the truck are square where they go over the rear axles. Do you know where I coud get a set of block and U- bolts that would fit the rear leafs? The front leafs are really narrow, and I wouldnt feel safe using blocks on them. I would probably need new leafs.
As for the wheels, My dad likes them a lot, and money is kind of tight. It doesnt rub alot, and since the inside of the fender is rounded, it doesnt cut into the tires.
Any suggestions where I could get some bocks, and maybe some new leafs for the front?
As for the wheels, My dad likes them a lot, and money is kind of tight. It doesnt rub alot, and since the inside of the fender is rounded, it doesnt cut into the tires.
Any suggestions where I could get some bocks, and maybe some new leafs for the front?
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The U bolts are available at most any spring shop. They have them in most lengths and bend them to your needs.
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Post Fiend
Joined: Sep 2004
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From: Near Fresno, California
I agree with barbsbuddy - see a good local spring shop. They will make you a set of Ubolts (likely less than $20.) and also will have some steel blocks to slip between the axle and the spring to raise the truck.
You can go an inch without any problems, more if you are careful. They can also replace your main spring with one that has more arch, but that gets expensive.
City boys who use their trucks like passenger cars can slam their trucks, but anyone who lives in the country and or works their truck would agree with your dad.
You can go an inch without any problems, more if you are careful. They can also replace your main spring with one that has more arch, but that gets expensive.
City boys who use their trucks like passenger cars can slam their trucks, but anyone who lives in the country and or works their truck would agree with your dad.
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Originally Posted by WillyB
I agree with barbsbuddy - see a good local spring shop. They will make you a set of Ubolts (likely less than $20.) and also will have some steel blocks to slip between the axle and the spring to raise the truck.
You can go an inch without any problems, more if you are careful. They can also replace your main spring with one that has more arch, but that gets expensive.
City boys who use their trucks like passenger cars can slam their trucks, but anyone who lives in the country and or works their truck would agree with your dad.
You can go an inch without any problems, more if you are careful. They can also replace your main spring with one that has more arch, but that gets expensive.
City boys who use their trucks like passenger cars can slam their trucks, but anyone who lives in the country and or works their truck would agree with your dad.
Thanks for the help. I think there is a shop in Daytona I can go to. My dad uses this truck to move all kinds of stuff. Stumps, mulch, audio equipment, That is why we just put a piece of plywood for the bed. But as soon as my dad gets too old to use it like he uses it now, I will put a nice bed floor in there for him.
Elder User
Joined: Mar 2005
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From: Indianapolis, Indiana
I dont think I would raise it on a stock frame, you will probobly have may problems with steering and such reachingm I would only go with larger wheel and yire combo, I would look much better slammedm then again mine sits about as high as a 4x4.
Kyle
Kyle
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Originally Posted by kdmcinnes
I dont think I would raise it on a stock frame, you will probobly have may problems with steering and such reachingm I would only go with larger wheel and yire combo, I would look much better slammedm then again mine sits about as high as a 4x4.
Kyle
Kyle
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Joined: Apr 2002
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From: Littleton, New Hampshire
Even though they are reversed, if the wheels are only 7 inches wide you might get by with smaller rear tires. I think money spent for a smaller tire or wheels with less offset to the outside would be a better investment than money spent for lowering blocks or re-arching springs to make the oversized rear tires and/or reversed wheels work...and when Dad is through with it you won't have as much work to do to correct it....
Vern
Vern
Cargo Master
Joined: Apr 2005
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From: Harpswell Maine
Another option would be Air lift shocks that you pump up when carrying a heavy load. I could not find anyone other than Monroe that makes them The are about $65 a pair. If you buy the correct ones they are bolt in.