Well, it's time to put my A pickup away for the winter. After beating the day lights out of it since May, I gotta say it's been pretty damn reliable. I've had a few minor things go wrong but never far from home. There were a few long distance trips like going to hang with the Rollin Bones in Ohio, about 130 miles round trip. There are some things I need to tweak. The rear spring is really in need of attention. It's a 37-41 banjo and a T spring with 4 leafs. We had to stretch the crap out of it to get it on the shackles, about 5". I knew it was too much but it was what I had at the time. The shackles are at 45° and I like the ride height but it rides really hard. I'm sure that is because the spring is stretched to it's limit. Shocks are Napa gas charged. Before anyone asks it is a 1940 style axle in perch width, not the wider 48 up style banjo. I was thinking of having eaton make me a new main and 2nd T style leaf that was about 1 1/2" longer on each side so it would still have 2" of stretch to get it on the shackles. If there is an easier, cheaper way to do it I'm all ears. What is anyone using?
I don't think 2" 0f stretch is enough, unless you use a panhard bar or some sort of centering device. If the shackle angle is much less than 45 degrees, you can encounter "shackle wag", especially on highways with the "wagon track" ruts from the truck traffic. At least that has been my experience.
Well 5" is way too much. Rides like a brick. The bones and the shocks (15° angle) do a pretty good job of keeping it centered, the rear doesn't float around on me now but I understand what you're saying if it were too loose. The spring just doesn't have any give. The shocks are gas and I'd like to change them to oil filled but I don't think that by itself is going to fix the problem.
No coil overs for me. Just not my thing, same as disc brakes, one wire alternators, electric fans etc. There has to be a solution for this using the right stuff.
I have somethig in the works now that will resolve your problem. I'm just waiting on my prototypes to come back..
Well, if it's a traditional style part that no one could easily distinguish from a ford part I might be interested. If it's something that's going to stick out like a sore thumb......
How will the eyes being reversed solve my problem unless the spring itself is wider? Also it will alter the stance which, to be fair so would a new main leaf if I have one made. I'm not trying to argue and I understand you wanting to withold some info as it's a new product but, makes it kind of hard for us to discuss, lol. Maybe PM me and I promise to keep the details hush hush? I'm interested to hear about it.
The Jalopy Journal
