I've got a 61 short box that is very stock. 223/3 on the tree. I want to leave it mostly stock since it works fine now. The truck served as a forest service truck and has around 90k on it. I don't want to carve up an otherwise pristine truck, but do want to add my personal touches.
#1 I want to lower it. I have searched threads and cataloges etc. looks like the best thing to do is go mono leaf. Will the reverse eye mono (they say 4" drop) bolt in to the truck front and rear? Has anyone had experience with this? Any opinion on the best source for parts?

I want to know the good, bad and ugly.

Thanks

 

Might try the Slick Forum (61-66)

 

OK, I tried the search "Slick" in the older trucks 61-66 and came up with nothing. I am new to this so whats the key?

 

Slicks is a slang term for the 61-66 style trucks. Similarly the 48-52's are called "Bonusbuilts" after a marketing campaign for the trcuks at the time.

I think that your post was fine but you will likely get better help from folks with similar trucks, hence the recommendation that you repost in the 61-66 forum.

Also, welcome to FTE. There is a ton of great information here. Youi can pretty well bet that whatever you want to do, somebody here has already done it and will be happy to help out.

Good luck. Sounds like a real nice truck you have.

 

Big thanks. I am very green on all of this so your kind reply is appreciated. Just browsing has brought some interesting ideas to light, so I am happy to have found the site.

The truck is nice for an old Forest Service truck, it was'nt abused. I have wanted a mid sixtys ford short box for years, just got lucky going down an alley one day.

Thanks again.

 

61 -

I put standard eye monos with 2" lowering shackles on the rear of my 56. It got the height just right for me. However, If I was to do it over, I would rework the stock leaf stack by removing every other leaf to get it to four leafs. If that still wasn't low enough (and it is for most folks who have done it), I would swap out the main leaf for a reverse-eye main. When done, you'd still get the progressive load spring rate of the stock leafs. You'd also get the job done for a lot less money and still have adjustment by removing/adding leafs as desired. You can dial the height right in.

The monos just put it where they do. If your calcs are right, you're fine. If not, you get to try again. The monos are lower, but stiffer and not pregressive rate. IMHO, you can do everything you want by modifying the stock leafs and have a better suspension when you're done.

Also, the wheel hop was so bad with the monos, I had to add traction bars. The stock springs won't hop as easily.

 

I have been reading some other threads and it seems the pattern is just what your suggesting. I think I will play with the stock springs a bit, what have I got to lose? And keeping some extra money in my pocket is never a bad idea.

Thanks