Hello all, Please provide a picture or diagram with dimensions for the 1939 front spring. I am having issues installing with existing shackles. Spring dimensions: 39 3/8" eye to eye center. 9 3/8" interior at arc. What is the position of the shackles before installing the spring? Right now the shackles are vertical as shown in the attached pictures.
You definitely need a spring spreader or a porta power . Where do you live ? Lake Worth Florida if your close
Thank you all for the responses! I have a porto power. Please share photos or videos. I was told the springs are not original, so I want to check if the dimensions are correct. Front spring: Unloaded Shackle to Shackle distance? Eye hole to eye hole distance?
Either take it apart (safely) and put in the main leaf on the shackles first and then re stack the springs or spreader. https://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/threads/1941-ford-pickup.1057277/page-5#post-12334631
Thanks again! After installing the front spring with the wheels on the floor, the shackles are orientated differently. Is this orientation correct? Should I change the main spring left for a smaller one? What should be the distance eye to eye. Also, the pickup front now appears too low. What is the correct elevation?
Please share the specs of the original spring. Is it possible to reshape the existing main leaf to match the required dimensions?
Basically, the shackles should swing at about a 45 degree angle when all the weight is on the car, and the spring has settled. That’s 45 inwards. Yours are outwards. You could maybe have that spring arched higher, which would bring the ends closer together. Might add about ten inches to the height though. Maybe that spring is from a 42-48?
Thank you again! Can I just buy two, the main leaf and the one that "holds" the main leaf? Please indicate where to buy the correct spring parts?
If you want original you should call original type vendors. Lots of hot rod type springs out there (Posies), but they are flatter and usually have reversed eyes which lower an additional inch. For just a stock used spring, put an ad in the cl***ifieds. But make sure the seller really knows what he has, since you wouldn’t be able to tell if he was wrong until it’s too late.
I can't find a leaf with non-reverse eyes. What should I do if I purchase reversed eyes? Also, I am not sure what length to buy. My current spring is 2 inches wide, but the center to center of the existing shackles is 38 inches approximately when the shackles plates are upwards. Also, for some reason, the shackles plates are not set at the same inclination, and I can turn the rubber bushings to match them.
I see you posted it also on the Fordbarn, that’s great place to find another used stock one for sale.
You realize the shackles will move around and the tilt will change as the spring works? If you are restoring the truck and don’t want the drop, I suggest you find a used original spring. Many guys out there removing them to put in the lowered springs.
That looks like a 41 and later spring . If your axle is a 41 and later , the angle of the shackles do have a 45* slant OUTWARDS AT BOTTOM. Need some pics of the axle and brake backing plates . It wouls be wise to remove all but the main leaf and install on the shackles .as alchemy said the angle will change . The spring length and the shackle length can all be varied by a little to get what your looking for . Do you have a speedway book ? If not go to there site and look under the front spring selection. They will list sizes . Another site is Mac Van Pelts , he lists the front axle specs . Gary
I appreciate all the responses! I would prefer using the original spring, but I am not sure what the eye-eye distance is. If I choose to use the reverse eye main leaf on the front spring; should I modify the rear spring as well? We tried to turn the shackles plates to match both sides, but the rubber of the bushings on the wishbone didn't allow it.
Woops . It looks like your top shacklel mounts have been heated and changed to accommodate a different spring?
Good catch!! Just noticed it. The bent is on the p***enger side. It was probably done a long time ago. That is why the square holes in the shackles plates don't match with the bushing bolt. Can it be heated again to straighten?
On my '38, I found a NOS front spring for a 60 HP car which lowers it a little and gives a softer ride. I have spread old Ford springs with a portapower, just be sure it's positioned correctly so it doesn't fly out and hurt you. I prefer to take the spring apart and just spread the main leaf (that's what you'll have to do if you have reversed spring eyes. There is a way to take an old Ford spring apart without getting hurt. I do it with two big heavy-duty C clamps (my clamps are at least 100 years old, so old they say "Made in Cincinnati, O", belonged to wife's grandfather), a foot long piece of all-thread, flat washers, and nuts. Clamp the spring securely with one clamp on each side of the center bolt, take out the center bolt. replace with the all-thread, washers, and nuts. Loosen the clamps a little, loosen the all-thread a little, gradually releasing the tension holding it together. That way, you won't have spring leaves flying and hitting you. With your main leaf installed and both shackles bolted up, you can re***emble your spring reversing the procedure you used to take it apart. Note that the center bolt has a square head that fits into the square hole in the center of the crossmember. Good time to inspect the center of your crossmember for cracks. They are prone to cracking, remember these old Fords got banged around on rough dirt roads, and most original crossmembers will have at least some hairline cracks you need to weld up and grind the welds down before reinstalling your U-bolts. It's a good idea to get some 1/8" thick rubber sheet, cut a strip the width of the spring, cut out a hole for the top of the spring center bolt to go through, locate the spring in the crossmember making sure the head of the center bolt is in the hole in the center of the crossmember. Reinstall the bars that go across the bottom of the U-bolts that clamp the spring in the crossmember with correct castle nuts and cotter pins. If your U-bolts are not tight enough, the center bolt can come out of the hole in the crossmember and let the spring slip sideways in the crossmember. Ask me how I know that. Be careful, those old Ford springs can hurt you!
Thank you very much all of you. I really appreciate your detailed explanations. The first step that I need to do is straighten the front end of the wishbone top support of the LH shackle. Can I just heat it with a torch to red, then twist as needed, and then let it cool down at ambient temperature?
Yes, that is the correct way to do it. Get a piece of round steel stock that will fit through the shackle eye, heat to cherry red, use the steel rod as a lever, straighten, and let it cool.
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