Raising (not lowering)
Thread Starter
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Tuned
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 485
Likes: 2
Different people have different objectives with their trucks.
Some people are "restorers", and meticulously put their trucks back to it's original condition.
Some people are "hot rodders" or "customizers", and do all kinds of things to their trucks to make them unique or to generally look cool.
I'm actually neither of these types. I like the original looks of these old trucks, but I'm not hung-up on keeping it all original. I intend to use my truck as a driver, so I want modern conveniences (drive train, suspension, interior). I don't intend to show the truck (other than every time I stop to get gas), so I don't care if a judge would deduct points because something isn't original to the truck. I've heard someone refer to this type as a "resto-rod".
Anyway, this is why I want to raise the truck back closer to it's original ride height. I want it to look somewhat stock, but drive like a late model truck.
Here are a few photos. I still haven't had a chance to get under the truck to take pictures of the Camaro clip.
Some people are "restorers", and meticulously put their trucks back to it's original condition.
Some people are "hot rodders" or "customizers", and do all kinds of things to their trucks to make them unique or to generally look cool.
I'm actually neither of these types. I like the original looks of these old trucks, but I'm not hung-up on keeping it all original. I intend to use my truck as a driver, so I want modern conveniences (drive train, suspension, interior). I don't intend to show the truck (other than every time I stop to get gas), so I don't care if a judge would deduct points because something isn't original to the truck. I've heard someone refer to this type as a "resto-rod".
Anyway, this is why I want to raise the truck back closer to it's original ride height. I want it to look somewhat stock, but drive like a late model truck.
Here are a few photos. I still haven't had a chance to get under the truck to take pictures of the Camaro clip.
Junior User
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 52
Likes: 0
This truck looks very very good as is.
My 1960 has a 460 and the additional weight has the frame down so much that I only have about 1" until it hits the bump stops.
I plan to open the spring bundles and add more leaves to lift the front so that it can accept the additional weight.
My 1960 has a 460 and the additional weight has the frame down so much that I only have about 1" until it hits the bump stops.
I plan to open the spring bundles and add more leaves to lift the front so that it can accept the additional weight.
FTE Legend
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 283,614
Likes: 8,248
From: northwestern Ontario
That is a sweet truck as it sits but can see your concern as it looks as though it would cut the grass. Hopefully you will find that thewre is dropped spindles on it and not an expensive fix. She's a beauty though.
Cargo Master
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 3,038
Likes: 4
From: South west Idaho
Truck looks real good, I like the color. I agree with you on how you plan to use the truck,look's amost stock . But an easy ride and inside comforts are my thing to . In the second post I mentioned using a 67 to 72 f/100 frame . They are 115 in. and the f/1 is114 in.,I believe it would fit if you would center the rear wheels in fender and let the extra 1/in push ahead whitch would center it better than the factory did. It is a major job to do on a finished truck like yours. the 73 on up will be a little wider and I'm not sure about the front tracking of the 67 to 72 . So if you do a frame change it won't hurt to check this out , maybe somebodys done it and can tell us right away if it would work . JIM
Laughing Gas
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 1,125
Likes: 4
From: Olive Branch,Ms
The stances does look a little low but it's hard to tell with the grass grown up around it. The tires look like 15 inch 60's or 70's A taller tire like a 75 may bring it up at least a inch.
Nice looking truck.
Nice looking truck.
Thread Starter
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Tuned
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 485
Likes: 2
Truck looks real good, I like the color. I agree with you on how you plan to use the truck,look's amost stock . But an easy ride and inside comforts are my thing to . In the second post I mentioned using a 67 to 72 f/100 frame . They are 115 in. and the f/1 is114 in.,I believe it would fit if you would center the rear wheels in fender and let the extra 1/in push ahead whitch would center it better than the factory did. It is a major job to do on a finished truck like yours. the 73 on up will be a little wider and I'm not sure about the front tracking of the 67 to 72 . So if you do a frame change it won't hurt to check this out , maybe somebodys done it and can tell us right away if it would work . JIM
Thread Starter
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Tuned
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 485
Likes: 2
Taller tires might help, but the bigger issue is the distance between the tires and the fender wells. I'm hoping that some taller springs will do the trick. On the rear I should be able to use air shocks.
Cargo Master
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 3,038
Likes: 4
From: South west Idaho
No I don't Know the track width, I have been trying to find out. It may be the same as my 79 F/150 S/C .I checked on using the F/150 I/beams on the 72 F/100 to get disk brakes and was told the axles would intrechange. I placed my 51 F/2 on the 79 frame just to see how close it fit . It would work but the s/c frame is to long for what I want , I think F/2 front fenders are different than F/1 , and yes your truck is to nice to take apart but maybe for the other one .I'm sure somebody will come up with an idea for you .
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Hotshot
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 15,882
Likes: 88
From: Durham NC
"When Ford introduced the Twin I-beam front suspension in 1965, the front track width increased by several inches over the previous Mono-Beam solid axle setup. However, they continued to use the same-width rear differential, resulting in a mismatch between the front and rear track widths of the bumpside-era trucks." end quote.
Many more owners of the twin I beam suspension swore at rather than by that suspension. Don't know if I'd call it an improvement for all the work involved.
Thread Starter
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Tuned
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 485
Likes: 2
Yeah, that has been my impression of the Twin I Beam suspension also. I've heard lots of complaints about it over the years, but I must admit, I've never owned one myself.
Thread Starter
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Tuned
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 485
Likes: 2
One other thing that I neglected to mention (you hot-rodders are going to kill me).
This truck has been tubbed. Even though they did a nice job, I plan on reversing it before I have it painted. I don't plan to put that wide rear tires on it, and there's no sense in having it tubbed if you're not got to use it.
This truck has been tubbed. Even though they did a nice job, I plan on reversing it before I have it painted. I don't plan to put that wide rear tires on it, and there's no sense in having it tubbed if you're not got to use it.
Cargo Master
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 3,038
Likes: 4
From: South west Idaho
I never new about the twin I/beam problems . I guess I was lucky with the three I had in my construction company . I don't think I would like the wide tracking on a 48 to 52 unless it was a 4 / 4 rock climber. If the air shock changes the smooth ride, which it could, I would have a spring shop re-arch and rebuild the springs for the weight of your truck if it has leaf springs . If the springs are mounted under the rear axle then you may only need to mount them on top like they were from the ford factory, you would need to relocate your shock mounts and check the pinion angle because it could change when you raise the truck up . Some good clear pictures from the bottom side would help everybody to see what you have . Front, I have no sugestions as there is steering and alignment problems that may pop up depending on what you do .The top side looks great .
Roast em' if you got 'em
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 21,989
Likes: 9,853
From: Rio Rancho, NM
Great looking truck.
I don't think it would be too difficult to raise it up a notch. As alraedy been mentioned you can get an inch or so jsut by changing tires. There should be a a wide variety of coil springs availabe that would fit the front clip either from the Camaro's or the GM mid sized cars (Chevelle, Monte Carlo, Cutlass, Skylark, etc). The rear is easy enough, either add a leaf or two, add a small spacer, or the air shocks.
Love those Cragars, but I am a little biased;
Bobby
I don't think it would be too difficult to raise it up a notch. As alraedy been mentioned you can get an inch or so jsut by changing tires. There should be a a wide variety of coil springs availabe that would fit the front clip either from the Camaro's or the GM mid sized cars (Chevelle, Monte Carlo, Cutlass, Skylark, etc). The rear is easy enough, either add a leaf or two, add a small spacer, or the air shocks.
Love those Cragars, but I am a little biased;
Bobby
Thread Starter
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Tuned
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 485
Likes: 2
