I have recently picked up a project 41 coupe and am in the process of gathering parts. I have some questions regarding dropping the front end. Kind of a traditional hot rod theme I am going for and I am very new to older vehicles I have only done mid 90s 00s fords I plan on stock 41 wheels and a 6.00 or 6.50 up front and 7.00 outback for tires and I want the front end low. I have searched around here and google for pictures and set-ups but havent really found anything. I looked for a monoleaf but most places have said they are not avail for the 41. So now i am thinking a magnum drop axle and posies spring but I am not sure if that will be to low and weather to get the 2 inch spring or the 3 inch along with the 4inch axle. If anyone has pictures and setups or even a link I would appreciate it.
Why not have Sid's dropped axel or Okie Joe do yours?Both are in Oklahoma.And you can have your main leaf eyes reversed.Where are you located? Would help.
If you plan to keep the car fairly stock but low up front, the least headacheey way to go would probably be getting a dropped stock Ford axle. Aftermarket axles tend to have different perch and kingpin locations, which may require a new spring and all new cross and drag links. A dropped Ford axle will go right in, but you may encounter clearance issues with the tires depending on how low you go (which is, I believe, why aftermarket dropped axles tend to be narrower). The 37-41 axles have a narrower kp to kp measurement than earlier or later axles already. Axles can be dropped and narrowed or dropped and stretched to keep their original kp relationship. http://droppedaxles.com/FORD_AXLES.html
41 Ford Front suspension is the same as a 40. Do a search for 40 Fords and you will find lots of info. In many places they put the 41 in the same catagory as 42-48 but as has been posted 37-41 axles are the same.
I would just go with a dropped front axle and a reverse eye spring. I would not go farther then 4" drop and I personally like a 3" drop ( I have no idea why). Unless I am mistaken the '41 is spring in front of the axle which also gives the opportunity to use longer shackles, not extremely long but once you are set up with your axle and spring if still not enough you could go an inch or two longer on the shackles and pick up a little more drop. NOTE: if I am wrong about spring on front of axle then totally disregard that information. Edit damnit: I meant to mention that Sids or OKie Joes are good choices as has ben mentioned. Drop the original.
So, say i went with the dropped "ford axle" and take my factory spring to the spring shop and reverse eye it how close to a drop in the picture would that give me, or do I still need a "drop spring" or do I not need to mess with the spring at all. I do not want to split bones or hack the frame either if that matters
Start with the axle and remove a few leaves-probably has 11--take out 2-3 to start-spring isn't that hard to take in and out-see where it sits then reverse the eyes if need be-stay with the Ford spring if it is in good shape
I would have to see the car as it sits now but I am going to guess that you can get that drop with a 4" drop axle. You don't have to start messing with the bones until you start messing with the springs. Even at that sometimes you can live with the results after you drop the springs and don't split the bones. I rode in a dropped *'39 once that was dropped a ton and the wishbones were left stock. When the guy would hit a bump hard or jump a driveway it made a clunk and I asked him about it. he said it was the wishbone hitting the frame. The car was a very old build and he didn't want to mess with it and said that it didn't seem to hurt anything and had been that way for "gawd knows how long". Not suggesting that it is a good idea but it is an experience I have had with one. *same basic suspension as the '41
porkn****** is correct about the the spring being in front of the axle so you could use longer shackles. But be aware that too long of shackles can also lead to handling issues (as he pointed out) which is why most would use a dropped axle. Reversing the eye only gives you about an inch of drop. If you go to the custom side of the hamb and look at the Jesse Lopez 41 Ford clone thread you will see what was done to drop the front of that 41. A dropped axle was used but he also had to change the steering arm for clearance. Torchie
I also agree with this approach. The pic you posted looks to have may be a 3 inch lowering. A few leaves removed and possibly a inch longer shackle may get you where you want to be. Torchie
I only skimmed the replies but I don't think any one else replied re the tire size. 6.50's would be too big on the front. 6.00's or 5.50s would be better. 6.00s are stock. 5.50s might look a little small on a 41, but if you want low, they might be what you need. Mart.
41' I think is first year of having a track bar so a little longer shackles should not be an issue..I'd do the dropped axle first; BUT you have to figure if you want it narrowed a couple inches when dropped for tire clearance, I don't know for a fact that you need to..
Thanks for the replies guys, very helpful. I will start with just the drop "ford axle" and not mess with the springs or shackles until I get the engine/trans set down in there. I think a narrowed axle will be necessary with that size tire, but ill do some searching before I order one.
6.50's were an option I believe. I have them on my 41. 41 has a front stabilizer set up to minimize bounce and sway. Can't speak for 42. 46-48 had the "Panhard" style bar in the front and rear. Torchie
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