Hi everybody, hope all is having a good week. I just got done swapping the front sump oil pan and pick-up tube from the 302 in my 47 pickup, to a rear sump setup, to clear the axle beam when I lower it some. I'm looking at just removing a couple of leafs, and seeing what that small block that's in between the springs and axle is used for, and whether or not I can remove it (for right now anyway, until I can get a drop beam, or even better, a Mustang II IFS). Anyway, while I was under there this morning, I got to looking around at the steering setup, which is all factory right now, as far as I know, and noticed that the tie rod, which ties the left and right wheels together, is about the same height as the axle beam itself, right now, but since it is attached to the knuckle/spindle/hub, whatever you want to call it, that means that it will move upwards, towards the leaf springs, when I lower it. If I am able to go as far as I hope, at least a couple of inches, possibly slightly more, if I can remove that block, I think the tie rod will either hit the leafs, or be dang close. If it does NOT touch sitting in the driveway, I figure it will when the spring cycles upwards, such as driving over a bump. What's everyone's opinion on that, am I thinking correctly, and if so, what is available to correct that? I THINK I've seen some drop tie rod ends, which I assume would thread into the end of the tie rod, and effectively lower it away from the springs? Is that how that works?

 

This is the setup I saw, if the link works, don't think I've ever tried to post a link here. Anyway, these say 48-64, so I don't know if they'll work on a 47 or not. Does anyone know if they're the same? Anyway, I'll keep on looking too. Thanks.

1948-64 Ford Pickup Tie Rod End Drops - Speedway Motors, America's Oldest Speed Shop

Edit: OK, I called Speedway Motors, and talked to the tech support guy, and asked if he knew if these would fit a 47 or not, and he did not know, but he did give me the specs on the end that goes into the knuckle. They are 7 degree taper, with 11/16-18 threads. Now I just need to find out if that's what a 47 uses, and if so, that means they'll work in my knuckles, and then all I'll hafta worry about, is maybe adjusting the length of the tie rod itself, if necessarry.