Need help with 54 F100

Guys I need some help. My 54 F 100 has a rear 4 link setup with air bags in the rear - installed by previous owner. The rear frame is also rect tubing from about the cab back. I'm not a fan of the air bag set up and I'm considering changing back to rear leaf springs. I measured the rear frame and it's 34 in. wide.

I have a 79 Lincoln Versailles rear in my 55 Chevy. It was narrowed a few inches - can't remember how much. And the spring perches were moved in a little. The spring perches are 40 inches apart right now. I'd like to swap the Lincoln rear onto the truck if possible. I have some money in the Lincoln rear - I didn't know better at the time. So I'd like to use it on the truck. Since, I have to sell the 55. Does anyone know the distance from leaf spring to leaf spring on a stock 53-56 F100. I searched all over the HAMB as well as ford-trucks and can't seem to find it. I also can't find a good source for the spring hangers.....Any advice is greatly appreciated.

rustfarmer

 

try the fordtruck forum they can help

 

55 dude,

I did. Unfortunately, no luck though!

Thanks,
rustfarmer

 

I have one I can measure tommorow when there is some light outside.
I need to get some other measurements off of it anyway.

 

Hey Rustfarmer
I just measured my truck, as best I could while crawling on the ground, and center to center on the spring saddles is approx 40 1/4" I used a 79 Granada Ford 8" rear end on my truck without narrowing. the saddles did have to be repositioned though. I hope this helps!

 

Thanks alot guys!!! Brian W thanks for taking the time and effort to measure your truck!

Since my Lincoln saddles are mounted 40" outside to outside and a stock F100 is about 40 1/4 center to center (or 42 1/4 outside to outside). Would I be able to get away with running my perches 1" off per side? I know to do it right would be to move the perches 1'' per side but is there leeway on this? The reason I'm trying to avoid it is that the rear end is powder coated.

Thanks again guys for all your help!

rustfarmer

 

I just measured the one I have outside with no rear on it.
C-C of pins is 40".
No I wouldn't try an inch. 1/8-1/4 I might give it a whirl but that far off the perches won't seat flat on the spring.

 

Thanks guys! I've read somewhere that guys have gone with Nissan or Explorer leaf spring frame mounts. Anyone have experience with using different mounts other than the stock F100's. Any experience with after market kits like TCI or Classic performance Parts? Hopefully I can find something that dosen't move the springs away from the frame as much as the stock F100 mounts.

If you have any advice I'd like to hear from you.

Thanks again,
rustfarmer