transverse front leaf spring on 49F1
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Joined: Feb 2008
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From: Yountville Ca
transverse front leaf spring on 49F1
I'm not sure I'm calling it the right thing(transverse), but I've got this badly rusted 49F1 and I'm thinking about what I can do with it, and maybe its only remaining option to continue in existance is maybe I can make it into a kind of "cutdown" chopped and channeled hotrod or ratrod type thing. And I was wondering if anyone has put in a front axle and whatever "hairpins" or "split wishbone" etc to convert an F1 to a transverse mounted front spring etc.
I've never done this and with the less weight this truck would be and obviously no longer performing any load carrying duties etc I'm certain it would be strong enough. I just don't know what to buy or modify. Where I live out here in Californica its pretty hard to find a bone yard etc, but I might be able to buy something from another project if they have an early Ford car etc and switch it to Mustang 2 etc I could buy their old split wishbone setup/steering/axle etc--or most and modify as needed etc. Thats probably the ideal. Or maybe buy some sort of pricey aftermarket setup? That's a possibility too, but I'm not sure exactly what to ask for. I suppose its mainly the width of the axles, or is it other stuff too. Issues that come to my mind are drag link/steering box F1?/ and similar . Don't know a thing about doing this, but I'm certain it can be done. And I've accumulated a collection of front suspesion magazine articles over the years. I might find some ideas there too. I just need some help. So if you've got any ideas, suggestions, or experience on this I'd appreciate your help. Thanks
Tom
I've never done this and with the less weight this truck would be and obviously no longer performing any load carrying duties etc I'm certain it would be strong enough. I just don't know what to buy or modify. Where I live out here in Californica its pretty hard to find a bone yard etc, but I might be able to buy something from another project if they have an early Ford car etc and switch it to Mustang 2 etc I could buy their old split wishbone setup/steering/axle etc--or most and modify as needed etc. Thats probably the ideal. Or maybe buy some sort of pricey aftermarket setup? That's a possibility too, but I'm not sure exactly what to ask for. I suppose its mainly the width of the axles, or is it other stuff too. Issues that come to my mind are drag link/steering box F1?/ and similar . Don't know a thing about doing this, but I'm certain it can be done. And I've accumulated a collection of front suspesion magazine articles over the years. I might find some ideas there too. I just need some help. So if you've got any ideas, suggestions, or experience on this I'd appreciate your help. Thanks
Tom
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Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 4,172
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From: Oakdale,Ca.
It's doable...you'd have to make your own front crossmember to house the traverse spring, since nothing of the era is wide enough...it might also be possible to adapt the f1 axle as well, or you'd need to look for a pre-42 truck (Ford) axle to start with.
I'm not sure where Yountville is at, but I'm in Oakdale (near Modesto), and have a '35/36 PU front end pulled out you can get some eyeballing from as well as ideas.
I also just picked up a '35-40 frame I'm going to put together with this stuff, so you could have an idea of what obstacles you'd face.
I'm not sure where Yountville is at, but I'm in Oakdale (near Modesto), and have a '35/36 PU front end pulled out you can get some eyeballing from as well as ideas.
I also just picked up a '35-40 frame I'm going to put together with this stuff, so you could have an idea of what obstacles you'd face.
