Front Suspension
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New User
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 23
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From: Kansas USA
Front Suspension
First off it's a '54 F100. Question is about the front springs.
Two yrs. ago I replaced the totally worn out 7 leaf springs with a set of 5 leaf reverse eye with poly buttons.( from Mid Fiftys in Az) Did the whole thing, new pins, bushings, hanger bars, u bolts, and new shocks. This greatly improved the ride & handling but also lowered the front end about 3". The first thing I did not like was the fact that the axle has only about 1.5" of travel before it hits the bump stops.
This has not been a problem, unless you hit one of those canyons they like to call pot holes, but... I would like to get the front back up closer to the original height. My idea is to fab up some longer hanger bars. Not a problem to do. Just wondering if any body has ever tried anything like this. Pros & cons ? Suggestions or experiences welcome.
This is the absolute best site for info on old Ford trucks.Been reading & soaking up knowledge for almost 3 years. Nice group of helpful & experienced folks. Done just about every other type of truck over the last 30 or so yrs but I'd trade 'em all for one of these '50's Fords.
1954 F100
300 hp 302 roller
SROD tranny
Dana 44 3.73 Posi
54@51 now
Two yrs. ago I replaced the totally worn out 7 leaf springs with a set of 5 leaf reverse eye with poly buttons.( from Mid Fiftys in Az) Did the whole thing, new pins, bushings, hanger bars, u bolts, and new shocks. This greatly improved the ride & handling but also lowered the front end about 3". The first thing I did not like was the fact that the axle has only about 1.5" of travel before it hits the bump stops.
This has not been a problem, unless you hit one of those canyons they like to call pot holes, but... I would like to get the front back up closer to the original height. My idea is to fab up some longer hanger bars. Not a problem to do. Just wondering if any body has ever tried anything like this. Pros & cons ? Suggestions or experiences welcome.
This is the absolute best site for info on old Ford trucks.Been reading & soaking up knowledge for almost 3 years. Nice group of helpful & experienced folks. Done just about every other type of truck over the last 30 or so yrs but I'd trade 'em all for one of these '50's Fords.
1954 F100
300 hp 302 roller
SROD tranny
Dana 44 3.73 Posi
54@51 now
Moderator
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 56,984
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From: Virginia
Front Suspension
[updated:LAST EDITED ON 22-Nov-02 AT 08:45 PM (EST)]You need to raise the height overall, not just the front. Raising just the front portion of the spring may throw your castor off.
This has to be a first. I have never seen anybody wanting to raise their truck. I wonder if somebody would give you a good price on your set-up you have now, and then you can use that towards buying an original spring pack.
This has to be a first. I have never seen anybody wanting to raise their truck. I wonder if somebody would give you a good price on your set-up you have now, and then you can use that towards buying an original spring pack.
Lead Driver
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 8,813
Likes: 13
From: Littleton, New Hampshire
Front Suspension
[updated:LAST EDITED ON 23-Nov-02 AT 08:39 AM (EST)] I've always heard (don't remember where) that you need at least two inches of travel in the front suspension. If that is true and you had used the five leaf setup with a stock eye instead of reversed, you probably would have been okay. Is there any chance of cutting some of the bump stop off or using a shorter one off another application to gain 1/2 inch of additional travel? Maybe you could fabricate your own bump stop...
