YES... I used the search engine,, I looked though litterally page after page of posts.. I didn't find anything pertaining to my exact situation, and at this point I'm just going to ask in case anyone has done the same. I have a 1953 f100 shortbox. 1. right now it is stock, 2. I have ordered the front disk brake conversion kit for it. 3. I have a rack and pinion conversion kit for it. (has anyone else used rack and pinion?) 4. I have not ordred the rear disk converion because I need to measure the 1964 f100 9 inch to see what kit I need to order. but I plan to change out the rear to disk too. OK.......... with all of the above in mind I am going to use this truck as a daily driver, sun, snow, sleet, rain, or shine. i live in iowa so YES a functional heater is needed. BUT.. I would like to lower the truck a bit ..... I want it lower but still drivable for everyday use. I am thinking of ordering mono-leaf springs for the front and rear. f100 central sells two drop sizes of both.... for FRONT springs they offer either a 3" or 4" drop mono leaf for REAR springs they offer either a 4" or a 6" drop mono leaf I am running a rack and pinion front so bump steer won't be affected by the springs. has anyone lowered a F100 with just springs alone? I do not want to cut the frame for clearence, so... I a 3 front 4 rear the way to go? or would a 4 front 6 rear be fine without bottoming out all the time. I would love to see a pic of a truck with each on it, and if anyone has experience PLEASE let me know. I have yet to see a pic of a f100 with JUST a spring change, they all have springs, dropped axles, ect ect,, I guess what i'm asking is for a daily driver what would you guys recommend?
One thing to keep in mind about monos and the '53-'56 F-100s...they work much better with a lot of weight. Whether it's true of all monos out there for the F-100s, I don't know- Mid 50s are supposed to work well with less weight- but the ones I've experienced thus far seem to be much more effective with big blocks, or early V8s, than they are with the SBC or SBF F-100s. My $.02.
Mid Fifties sells lowered multi leaf springs (3 1/2") and you can even get them with the axle moved forward 1 1/4" to center the tire in the wheelwell. Their catalog has several different ways of lowering your truck and how much each one will lower it. Larry T
I used a mono-leaf for the front of my 52....it also had reversed eyes and was a drop-in. Kept the orig. steering box, though. For the rear, I got a reversed eye main spring and took out a couple of leafs and used the teflon slider strips between leaves. Works great.
I'm running a 1957 292 or 312 Yblock in the truck. I don't know for sure if it's a 292 or a 312 until I look at teh main bearing caps or the shaft to look for the asprin dot. It could be either. SO... is 3" front 4" rear too much for a daily driver? or is it not enough ???????? It sounds like mono-leaf should work then..... what is the difference between the reversed eyes and standard? it says on there site that they recommend a rebuld kit for the shackles but I think otherwise they sould be drop in....
Keep in mind that not all 312 cranks have that "dot" on the flange.... 3" & 4" should be just fine for a DD F-100. In general: If you look at an original spring as installed and the spring eyes are on the "top" of the spring...a reversed-eye spring as installed would have the eyes on the "bottom" of the spring. It's just a way to achieve 1/2" - 1 1/2" more drop, all other things being equal.
my '54 is lowered about 5 inches front and rear and it's fine as my daily driver. It has the reversed eye monos on the back and a 3 inch dropped axle, reversed eye full pack springs on the front. The reversed eyes only make the truck lower by 1.5 to 2 inches. They curl down instead of up which makes the main part of the spring higher. A shackle rebuild is probably a good idea, too because you already have everything apart. Also check the king pins and tie rod ends. Might as well have everything right. Conor
I have new tierod ends included with the rack and pinion steering kit. I will make sure and get the kingpin rebuild kit also. I figure while I have it stripped down to the frame I am going to completly rebuild all of the parts of the steering / suspension. they will all be new or rebuilt. from what you guys have said,, I think I'll go with the 3 inch front / 4 inch rear setup. I'll make sure and start taking pictures as I progress,,, I might start a build thread....I don't know if I'm "qualified" for a build thread,, BUT.. I can do one anyway...LOL.
My 64 F100 has a rack and pinion steering and mustang II front suspension. The mustang II's are alot of money, but well worth it after driving it. Not sure how much it is lowered, but it sits pretty low. I live in central Iowa, you are more than welcome to drive it and compare.
thanks for the offer Turbo Rocket. HEY,,, if you need any parts for your 64 let me know. I'm going to pull the heater, some knobs, motor, trans, driveshaft, and rear end. the body is not great, but not bad... if you want any of it,, your more than welcome to have it.
Mono leafs are a good choice for a daily driver you want a little lower. It's pretty hard in general to get these trucks low enough to the point where it's impractical to drive. I mean without changing the suspension to IFS clips, bags, flipped axles, and all that hassle... Although I have to say that IFS in these trucks is bitchin' and worth it in the long run.
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