Hot Rods shock setup for 31 Coupe w/mechanical brakes

I have a 31 Ford Model A coupe that is pretty much stock right now. I will be running it without fenders and with a slight drop of 1-2”in the front. I am planning on retaining the mechanical brakes.

I am looking for a tube shock kit that will work with this setup. Please post any pictures you may have, thanks.

Kevin

 

Nobody makes a bolt on for the front lower, that isn’t super ugly (they clamp on the beam). I welded some bent angle on the bottom eyelet of my wishbone. Bolted a regular parts store shock stud to it. Then used the common F-1 upper shock mount arm, with a little bending. I used shocks sized for a 50 Plymouth.

For the rear you can try to find the bolt on lower brackets that come stock on a 48 Ford. Might require a little heating and bending to align it to the crossmember above. Then maybe a regular shock stud through the back side of the crossmember above.

 

What about the studs that bolt to the bottom of the perch bolt?

And does anyone run the shocks in front ot the axle?

 

Your stock spring perches won’t have enough thread sticking out to bolt those modern lower mounts to. And a new aftermarket perch, while long enough to hold the shock mount, won’t have any brake bracketry on the top.

Sure, you can mount your rear shocks in front of the axle. But you’ll probably have to fab all the mounts. I thought you were asking for ready made stuff.

 

yes i am looking for bolt on. What about using the spring shackle mount for the lower and an F1 or other style bolt on upper mount

 

http://www.kendavismodela.com/shocks.html
Here's a HAMB thread about it: Technical - model A tube shock kits | The H.A.M.B.

Here are some other options:
https://www.mikes-afordable.com/product/A18014MOD.html
https://modelastore.com/shock-absorbers?product_id=4833

I haven't used these, but this was 5 minutes on Google.

 

thank you although I may not have mentioned that I’m not running fenders, so appearance is very important

 

It can be done. Lower shock mount as mention above and modified F-100 upper shock mounts.

For bolt-in, look at what Pete & Jake's offer.

 

I think you missed the part that he wants to use the mechanical brakes.

 

Yeah ****. I saw that but forgot about all that monkey motion out over the perch bolt and the fact that they're so short.

So... drill and tap the axle for a shock stud and the rest works. Not how I would do it, but I wouldn't use that combo of parts to begin with, but alas...

Why not use friction shocks and attach to the stock ball end on the Model A perch bolt?

 

Something like this :
Before

After

 

I just ***umed the OP was not able to do much fab work since he was asking for a “kit”.

 

That's what I thought too, but there's no kit for this application, that's why I showed what needs to be done.
But he can find a good welder to do such a mod.

 

There are kits, they're linked above. He just is planning to do fenderless as well and is worried about looks also. Can't have it all sometimes without fab.

 

When I said no kits, I ment no pretty kits that's not made with angle iron and a couple of U bolts.
He could also just weld a bung on the I-beam for the lower shock and not mess with the perch.
But you're right, without fabrication there's nothing pretty.