Technical 1939 Ford taildragger rear suspension alternative.

Just bought myself a 39 Ford convertible.
I want to build a custom in "taildragger" style with skirts and a lower rear.
Dont really know what rear suspension to use, rear axle will be a 8 inch.
The paralell leaf spring kits seems to be a easy way to go but i think the car will sit to high in the rear, 4link is kinda ugly and feels modern.
Ladder bars might be a option.
Any suggestions, tips and tricks or pics is appreciated!

 

Look at my sloper build thread, it has parallel leaves.

So, with an 8 inch, we can assume an open drive line.

What suspension is there now?

 

Its all original right now exept for superslide leafsprings and a dropped axle.
It will get a 283/th350 and the 8 inch rear axle.

 

Nifty looking ride, Congratulations.
Call me lazy, but I would remove a leaf and hang the skirts

 

Yeah, thats the easy way but i want some more power and better gears for higher speed.

 

I’m no help, but that’s a good looking car. Nice score.

 

Keep the rear stock type spring and build some ladder bars? That'll handle the power you can put at it and still look traditional if you care

 

Yeah, thats one way to go and probably the best looking one.

 

Thank you.
Its not nearly as nice as it looks, needs alot of bodywork but its a 39 and as you know its worth the effort.

 

I'd modify the rear cross member reverse the spring eyes and flaten out the spring.
But I would be using the original diff and probably flathead with an o/d manual gearbox.

 

Weedeter brand parallel leaf kit gives much lower stance. It installs the springs inside the frame rails rather than underneath like most kits do

https://www.weedetrstreetrod.com/

 

Ladder bars, unless they are of the variety that are very close together at the leading end, are really a drag-race only thing.

Parallel ladder bars turn your entire rear rear suspension into a swingarm. This puts a huge strain on all components involved, and prevents most suspension articulation.

They can make for a jarring ride on anything but a very smooth road.

Parallel leaf springs make for such effective suspension that they can still be found on new vehicles today.

You can get kits that would put the car quite low, and still maintain a nice ride.

 

Thank you.
This might be great info, when i bought the car i got a 8 inch rear axle with it that had been on another 39 ford. It had leaf springs and rear chackles with mounts that i thought was home made. They look alot like the kit Weedeter has and only 3 leafs in the springs just like mine. If im lucky i might got the leafsprings from that kit and the rear chackles/mounts.