Hey guys, Just had a 429/C6 powered 59 shipped in for my daughter. Overall its solid... I'm looking for rear hatch struts or a gas shock conversion Anyone know a direction I should head for this ?
Nice wagon. Not sure about the struts but maybe check with Concours in Carson City? https://concoursparts.com/
I would stay away from Gas Struts on that unit. Reason being the top mount point doesn't pass over center in the closed position. Because of that the ram load will always be trying to open the hatch keeping pressure on the glass and frame. If you're up to building a new top mount I'm sure you can find a ram that will do the job. You just shouldn't try to bolt a ram onto the existing mount points.
I totally agree, the original parts are hard to find but I found mine on ebay, post a add in the wanted . classifieds. HRP
Yes...I figured some kind of re-engineering would be needed. I'll try to find some stock stuff before heading in that direction Thanks !
I have another DUMB question... Is the hatch supposed to have a handle on it ? The tailgate opens, and drags under the hatch. Then I can lift the hatch. Is this stock ?
The upper lift gate for the 52-54 Fords are identical, there is a pair advertised on ebay for a 55 -56 Ford or Mercury and from what I can see they look identical to the 52-54, I have no idea what the 58/59 upper lift gate hinges look like but I would****ume they would be pretty much like the 52-56. At any rate there is a pair of 55-56 on ebay for 130 bucks, here is the link. HRP
Well, I don't have a 59 Wagon but do have a 57 wagon. On that car you lift the handle on the lower gate and it drops the latch fingers down out of the strikers on the top window frame and there is a finger pull to lift the top open with. The hinges on a 57 are totally different than the 52/54 style in that they are torsion bars hidden inside the headliner. The lift supports are a pair of slide together pieces with a knob to tighten and hold open. I think in 59 they went to a lock finger that replaced the knob. It latches in full open and with a little more lift releases the hold and drops to closed. As far as 59 Fords in my care I only have this low mile unrestored 1 owner (plus me) that needs a new home. It would look good parked next to the Wagon after a Watson style panel job and a set of Astro Supremes. It already has a new set of twice pipes.
This member knows more than I do about the 57-59 Ford Wagons. I had a thought, shoot FLAT TOP BOB at conversation, he's at www.owenssalvage.com He has a 65 acre yard and has helped me with hard to find parts a lot over the years. HRP
Just clean it up and add the trim back and drive it. Make sure the engine runs and brakes work, and you have lights and seatbelts. I would not lower it beyond the aerostar springs in the front. even then buy the rubber isolators so you dont go TOO low. same for the rear. I drove my '57 wagon from CO to LA, 292 Y-Block with single cylinder non-power brakes and the world didnt end. We made it fine. Sounds you have plenty of engine. Im sure there are other upgrades. As far as the rear lift gate, check to see if the lock knobs are not too tight also you can grease the sliders. when I pull the latch the lift gate pops up a few inches and you just lift it and lock it up with the knobs. You might want to see if the hinges need oil or if there is something missing with the torsion bars. If it doesn't pop up a little when you pull the tail gate down, something needs greasing. I also just noticed you are missing one of the sliders on the driver side, it should be two. There should also be a knob on there to lock the lift gate in position. As far as your Daughter Have her round of some pics of what SHE wants and let her help. I just realized you can try to mock something up at the same mounting points at the sliders but it probably would not go all the way up. there is a limit as to how high the lift gate can go
Surviving one trip doesn't make a car safe. Unless statistics have changed in recent years, you're most likely to have an auto collision within 25 miles from home.
It’s my daily now. prob another 500 plus miles check out this video of my opening the rear tailgate and how the top lift gate just pops up automatically. click on the box and then click again and you’d see it in my album. i didn’t help that lift gate go up. That is it what it does. It takes a sec or two to load. https://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/media/opening-rear-tailgate.583177/
Owens Salvage for sure, Bob helped me out with parts for my car, not sure if he has wagons. He had 4 or 5 Customs when I ordered my parts. My dad had a '59 Ranch Wagon. I recall the upper gate would fall when he hit a sizable bump in the road, otherwise it stayed up well. If nothing is broken, it may have to be cleaned and lubed.
The '58 used the same style sliders/latches as the '59, lift to open/latch, lift again to unlatch/close. They may even be the same part.
If you can't find a good OEM unit, you might take a look at these... drawer slides | McMaster-Carr They offer a slide that latches open, the downside is it has to be manually released. And IIRC, GM also used this type slide on their wagons in this era, another possibility.
I wasn't sure when they made the change. I do remember them not holding when you found a good pot hole as mentioned by bobss396.
I have absolutely no experience with these wagons but I have had a lot of vettes. Couldn't the OP just use 69-71 corvette hood prop? Chrome of course. Latches lock open automatically, then lift up and lower to close. It doesn't do anything for the weight of the lift gate though. $50 on line.
Those are the right type of mechanism, length may be an issue in stock form. Minor fab skills my be required. Personally I don't think the factory units are hard to come by and the O.P. has only had the car a few days. I'd still be shaking the bush to see if some stock units wouldn't fall in my hands.
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