Technical 1947 Ford Truck - Front Suspensions

All,
On the '47 panel build, I have kicking around the idea of upgrading the front suspension to something a few decades earlier. How does one do this on the early Fords and still maintain the factory VIN number location?

-VOH

 

Do you mean newer?

Are you talking about a front subframe swap?

 

rebuild the stock front end. use super slide springs or Teflon spring liner, and good quality pair of shocks. There are ways to add power steering to using GM truck or Toyota boxes. Don't subframe it. Mustang II front ends are made to be used in pintos. Friends don't let friends subframe cars or trucks.

 

I would update with a dropped axle and maybe disc brakes as well as new parts. Those trucks can ride and drive great with original style suspension.

 

This will be driven by the wife, so I was thinking of a MII style. I have looked into a dropped axle a little bit, but will look at this again along with the different springs.

 

You'll need to look elsewhere for MII suspension advice other than don't do it.

 

Yes, I have come across that before. sometimes its received better than other times.

 

I had a late 30’s sedan that had MII front suspension, and I currently have an older sedan with an I -beam. I can honestly say that the ride in each is very equal. But, if a wife is going to be driving the car, I do highly recommend a set of disc brakes. If she’s like my wife or daughter, they stomp on the two pedals. Either all on or all off.

 

Yes, planned on the disk setup already.

 

My straight axle, disc braked truck drives just fine. If there is one upgrade I'd do beyond that, it would be a modern steering box. The factory boxes steer good, just a bit slow.

 

It’s quite possible you may get excellent advice on your quest, but if the mods see the thread it won’t be here for long. -no, I won’t notify them, I’m just letting you know.
There are several sites that you can have weeks of discussion on your quest. But the HAMB isn’t one of those sites.

 

Wives (and women) must not be what they used to be.

 

Hi,i have a 47 ford pickup with the original suspension .I used a posies front spring kit and added disc brakes and power steering. It drives nice and stops good.You wont regret keeping the straight axle. My wife drives it all the time.

 

Having done both Mustang II setups, and stock type suspension, I can say that in reality, there really is not any appreciable difference in improvement in using the MII over the stock setup. If anything, the MII setups handled worse overall, that a stock setup with sway bay added, combined with the issues heavier steering effort if using a manual rack, it's not even worth it. If you use a power rack, that introduces other issues in getting the pressures right to work like it should and have yet to have one of these power racks last more than a year or so without leaking or completely shitting the bed. I can say without any doubt, that a rebuilt, lubricated stock front end with quality springs and shocks with sway bar added, with greatly out handle and out last a MII front end on any early ford. My 39 with Posis front spring, Pete and Jakes front sway bar, handles like a slot car, 1000% better than my late friend Jims 40 delivery with Mustang II front end. Save you money and use the stock stuff just refined.

 

thank you sir.

 

The original owner of my '46 cut off the frame horns just above the axle, flipped them upside down, swapped them right-to-left, and put the spring perches back on the bottom, then boxed the frame. This raised the front of the frame horn about six inches, effectively droppng the nose of the truck about three inches. And the best part - none of the steering had to change! Easy-peasy

 

First off, I agree and fully support our site and you my Moderator friend. But I have an observation. It seems there is a bias toward the lowly pinto and mustang II. We seem to embrace Chevy Vega steering boxes, Chevy T-5 transmissions, there are at least 1,000,000 350/350 Chevy engine/transmission combos on here, Chevy tilt columns, Chevy 12 bolt rear ends, etc. We embrace and love our old Fords, but we have a disdain for the newer Blue Ovals when it comes to parts hunting.

I didn't get much sleep last night after the Amazon driver rang my phone at 4:00 AM to get in the front gate (dumbass). As for the OP, It's a Ford, keep it that way. Or not. Your car, your call. I'm gonna doze off for a bit at my desk now.

 

Just some smartassitude on my behalf. It's what I do.

 

I’ve messed with M2s. They drive ok. Did what it’s supposed to do.
Started doing one in a truck of mine. Changed my mind. I like the way old trucks drive.
the wife drives my sons 61 c40. Manual steering and a 4 speed. She had no issue with my f100s 3 on the tree and manual steering.
She did request power steering for her wagon though.
Doing a front suspension graft now. Only because it will be stupid low. No pics posted here.
The GMC project will either get dropped leaf springs and/or a dropped axle. Nostalgic Sid’s can help ya out with any straight axle lowering and steering compartments.

 

I just reached out to Sid on a couple other items. thank you.

 

Sid drove a 47 for a while too so is as familiar with that whole setup as any. That isn't to say he isn't familiar with all the others too I suppose...

 

The OEM I-beam works pretty well, but I really like having disc brakes and a power steering box on these old trucks. Those two things really make it a lot more pleasant to drive.