1966 Suspension Question
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Freshman User
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From: Wheeler, Mississippi
1966 Suspension Question
I have a 1966 short wheel base pickup with leaf springs in the rear. I look at a 1966 Ford custom deluxe today for sale and it has coil springs in the rear. Was this because it was a custom deluxe or was that an option in 1966. By the way, the truck supposedly has 55,000 original miles. It has a 352 three on the tree and looks pretty could all the way around. Not the original color, but the body panels looks good. They are firm at $5000. I thought this was pretty steep for a truck that doesn't have a slicked out paint job. What do you guys think???
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Freshman User
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From: Wheeler, Mississippi
No disrespect Garbz, but I have had a couple of 66 chevy's also. This was in fact a Ford but cannot guarantee a 66 without the vin number. This truck had to coil springs like shock coming down from the frame in front of the axle to the axle itself. I will try to go back tomorrow and take some pics. This was said to be a one owner vehicle. It was last sticker in 2001 here in Mississippi. It looks just like mine except for the different dash and the suspension in the rear.
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"Coil spring like shock" sounds like coilovers which houses the spring over the shock body. Does it have a three link with arms attaching to the lower axles at the end and a connection over the axle? It could also be a four link with two sets of arms at the axle ends and a panhard bar or watts link to locate the axle laterally. If so, these suspensions are significantly more tuneable than a leaf setup. You can run single coils, dual progressive coils, and the shocks are tuneable. Additionally, you can adjust how the suspension loads the tires by adjusting the arms. It could also have arms like the Chevy Garbz referenced. They used them in Winston Cup for years.
...Or they could just be jc whitney overload shocks.
What was the truck setup for? I would be suprised to see coilovers on a street truck.
John
...Or they could just be jc whitney overload shocks.
What was the truck setup for? I would be suprised to see coilovers on a street truck.
John
Ford Parts Specialist
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From: Simi Valley, CA
1972/79 Ranchero's have rear coils. These Ranchero's were based on Torino/LTD II station wagons.
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From: Glendale Arizona
If it has no leafs it still needs some type of three or four link and a panhard. Are you sure it was not helper shocks and leaf springs?
Lots of these had the gabriel helper shocks, not true coil overs. A lot had helper coils installed to the top of the axle and would almost touch hte frame and asist in the load when weight is put in the bed.
Pics will help.
Rancheros are registered as cars. Just like Broncos.
Garbz
Lots of these had the gabriel helper shocks, not true coil overs. A lot had helper coils installed to the top of the axle and would almost touch hte frame and asist in the load when weight is put in the bed.
Pics will help.
Rancheros are registered as cars. Just like Broncos.
Garbz
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From: Wheeler, Mississippi
You are correct Garbz. After I went back in the daytime, they were indeed helper springs of some sorts. They did look factory though. What is the best way to put pics up on the site?
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