What steering/suspension/brakes options are available for 1946?
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New User
Joined: Jul 2003
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From: Marion, TX
What steering/suspension/brakes options are available for 1946?
I'm looking for steering/suspension upgrade options for a '46 Ford truck. I'm not interested in lowering the front end, just adding normal upgrades such as discs and power steering. I did some searches, but only found info on post-'48 models.
Senior User
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 216
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From: Paris Crossing, Indiana
I know what you are going through trying to find suspension parts for your truck, I had the same problem with mine, however after some research I found the frame width on both ends are the same as the 48, the 48 is longer in the front past the core support. So, I purchased a IFS MII for a 48 and it fit my 46 ok. also a suspension kit for the rear that fit also, you need to set the front cross member on the centerline of the front axle. There also are disc brake upgrades for the straight axle for the 48 that will also fit the 46-47. Look at some of the hot rod shops on the net. Go down to the news stand and purchase a copy of Classic Trucks Mag. Its full of ads for such things.
Last edited by loholland; Dec 28, 2007 at 06:47 PM.
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For the straight axle. front disc brakes got Engineered Components, Inc. - Hot Rod Brakes and Brackets - Your One Stop Brake Shop!
Postmaster
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 2,688
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From: Southern Oregon
I used single leaf springs for the front from Sacramento Vintage Ford. They said the springs were for 48-52 F-1s, but like Loholland indicated, fit the 46 fine.
There are quite a few options on front brakes. Mine are discs by Wilwood purchased from Speedway.
There are quite a few options on front brakes. Mine are discs by Wilwood purchased from Speedway.
Elder User
Joined: Jan 2008
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From: Gibsonia, PA
I installed a Fatman Fabrications IFS in a 47 jbar. It worked out really well, however just a little pricey (~ $2k drum to drum with MII Power rack) I have pics of the install at </title> <link rel="stylesheet" type="text/css" href="47Ford\wwstore.css"> </head> <!DOCTYPE HTML PUBLIC "-//IETF//DTD HTML//EN"> <html> <head> <link rel="stylesheet" type="text/css" href="wwstore.css"> </head> <body bgcolor="#332954" topmargin="0"> if you have any interest.
New User
Joined: Dec 2014
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46 brakes and steering upgrade
I saw a 1 piece upgrade with mustang II Rack & Pin with disc brakes and lowered 1" and lost the ad, can't remember the comp name. Anybody know. I love driving my old 46 but it could be a lot nicer
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 1,643
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I installed a Speedway disc kit on my axle - about $315 delivered. But they do require the use of later model wheels to clear the calipers.
Eaton Spring made me new springs for about $150.
Eaton Spring made me new springs for about $150.
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Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Nov 2002
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This is an exerpt from my friend, Hemirambler on how he put power steering in his hemi powered '47 truck. You can read the whole deal on the HAMB:
Having used my '47 to back up my dragster trailer up my very narrow driveway has proven to be a major PITA with the stock steering so...
Here's what I did to add Power Steering.
First was trying to find the optimum space - in my case there was a slight space claim issue due to the size of the Early Hemi motor in there.
So After fiddling around for a day I thought I knew roughly where I wanted the box. To test it I made a plate (temporary) to mount the box in a couple of positions.
After settling on a place I made an adapter plate with some bosses welded on to mount the Saginaw PS box. I then transferred the "test" hole from my temporary plate to my adapter.
In the first picture of the adapter you can see REV 1 of my plate. I later optimized it for additional clearance for the spring clamp - you can see that if you look at the last pic where it's mounted to the truck frame.
Somewhere in the middle of this firedrill I had to shorten the factory column. That was a straight forward deal where I turned the end down to .750 (originally it was .760" dia - just big enough to NOT fit into the GM double D piece of column I had laying around. After that I machined two flats.
I debated whether or not to put a roller bearing in the end, but having seen factory setups with a bushing I figured I'd give it a try. I can always change it later if it turns out to be a bad idea.
The double D piece of tubing will be welded to the intermediate flange - in the pic below it is shown separated, but that was just to facilitate the mocking up of parts.
BTW please ignore the trans cooler lines - they are temporarily displaced due to my space claim issue. I will be redoing those as well. To Be Cont'd
Attached Files:
DSC04773.JPG
File size: 137.8 KBViews: 86
DSC04785.JPG
File size: 130.8 KBViews: 81
DSC04787.JPG
File size: 150.3 KBViews: 93
DSC04779.JPG
File size: 150.4 KBViews: 82
Having used my '47 to back up my dragster trailer up my very narrow driveway has proven to be a major PITA with the stock steering so...
Here's what I did to add Power Steering.
First was trying to find the optimum space - in my case there was a slight space claim issue due to the size of the Early Hemi motor in there.
So After fiddling around for a day I thought I knew roughly where I wanted the box. To test it I made a plate (temporary) to mount the box in a couple of positions.
After settling on a place I made an adapter plate with some bosses welded on to mount the Saginaw PS box. I then transferred the "test" hole from my temporary plate to my adapter.
In the first picture of the adapter you can see REV 1 of my plate. I later optimized it for additional clearance for the spring clamp - you can see that if you look at the last pic where it's mounted to the truck frame.
Somewhere in the middle of this firedrill I had to shorten the factory column. That was a straight forward deal where I turned the end down to .750 (originally it was .760" dia - just big enough to NOT fit into the GM double D piece of column I had laying around. After that I machined two flats.
I debated whether or not to put a roller bearing in the end, but having seen factory setups with a bushing I figured I'd give it a try. I can always change it later if it turns out to be a bad idea.
The double D piece of tubing will be welded to the intermediate flange - in the pic below it is shown separated, but that was just to facilitate the mocking up of parts.
BTW please ignore the trans cooler lines - they are temporarily displaced due to my space claim issue. I will be redoing those as well. To Be Cont'd
Attached Files:
DSC04773.JPG
File size: 137.8 KBViews: 86
DSC04785.JPG
File size: 130.8 KBViews: 81
DSC04787.JPG
File size: 150.3 KBViews: 93
DSC04779.JPG
File size: 150.4 KBViews: 82
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