I recently bought a 1960 ford f100, which has a drop kit on it. The thing is that the truck rides super ruff and bounces around everywhere. Because I consider myself somewhat of a novice when it comes to mechanics, I did not notice it. the truck has absolutely no travel in front, (pretty much the lead springs are resting on the bump stops) and in the rear there is about 1/2 of travel. Can anyone please tell me why this is and if they know what might be going on? It looks like the leaf springs were mounted upside down. If someone could please let me know what they think that would be great. Thanks
Depending on how it is lowered most drop kits for this truck are leaf springs in front and for the rear flipping the axle above the springs giving little to travel unless you c notch the frame. How did the previous owner lower it ? Some may have flip the leaf springs in front and rear will Give a not so good ride and less travel. It is the cheapest way and sometimes only cost the owner the cost of shocks and spring pins. It may be possible you may have single mono leafs springs that are very stiff and give a bouncing ride. You may consider lowered leaf springs or de arch stock leaf springs . A spring shop can do this for you
Thanks 226 flattie, ya I am positive that he did not c notch the frame. And by what you said it makes complete sense on how he did it. It looks like he flip the leaf spring in the front and the rear and I know for sure that there are mono leaf springs on it, so that explains the bumpy ride. Do you know the best place to get lowered leaf springs? I don't have the stock ones. Also if it were you what do you think a the best quick fix would be to get the truck riding smoother? Thanks again
From what I've heard here and on the FTE forums, the monoleafs for these trucks ride like ****, very choppy and bouncy just like you describe. There are dropped multileaf springs available that ride a lot better. One vendor has them on Ebay all the time. Also t******* the bump stops (if it hasn't already been done) will give you a little more suspension travel, and help a bit.
Thanks flingdingo, ya the ride is terrible! I almost have to come to a complete stop when going over a speed bump. Ill look on eBay and see what I can find cuz these things are killing me. Thanks for the heads up about the bump stops. I don't think it has been done yet. So How much do you typically trim off of them? Thanks again for the advice.
Find a local spring shop in your area and have them made in my opinion this is best. you can tell them how low you want and they can make a spring that gives you the ride and look you desire. there are many shops that carry these in stock like Sacramento vintage ford, even dismantlers like bobs f-100 in riverside . Hope this helps .
There is a old spring shop in Santa Ana,ca not to far from me that specializes in this . Deaver spring service I had custom coil springs made for my shoebox there . Great service very knowledgeable staff. Not the cheapest but quality is there.
Ok awesome. Ya I have to get something soon, I don't even like driving the thing. That really helped and thanks for the ref for the shops. Between you and flingdingo, these are the best answers I've gotten. Cheers
My old one done with a sids drop axle modifed leafs and rear c notch. Road and drove beautiful. http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/group.php?do=discuss&group=&discussionid=16547
Man that made such a huge difference in the truck, it looks amazing! If I were to do the indent oval thing to my truck where can I find everything iE: the sid's drop axel, the leaf springs and the c notch plates. Also if you don't mind me asking, how much did it cost you for everything (equipment and install)
I just uploaded some pictures of the bottom of my truck to my album. If you get a chance to look at it, can you tell me what you think? Thanks
Just looking at your pic's quickly, I suspect that part of the problem is that the shock absorbers could be bottoming out, especially on the rear end. I am wondering if somebody has also removed the helper leaves from the rear end which may be adding to the bouncing effect. Up front, you may consider getting those springs re-set as I think was suggested earlier in your thread. I have one of these trucks and ditched the front suspension for IFS. If you play your cards right with IFS you can very easily end up with disc brakes and power steering on top of a much better ride plus handling and better steering. It looks to be a truck worth doing properly even if it does cost a little more in the long run you will be much happier with it. Check out my threads for ideas; http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=663175 http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=366906 http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=481492 I thought my 223 engine was great until I fitted a V8 and got to say I enjoy the extra HP more than I thought.
Be sure to join the 57-60 F100 group. Tons of info on lowering these trucks. There are several good companies that sell parts. Sacramento Vintage Ford is one. The Truck Shop sells drop leaf springs.
check out these web sites http://fordification.com/ http://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/forum40/ it is mainly for f 100 pickups from 67 to 72 but your frame is nearly the same there are a ton of front suspension swaps to look at also use the search on here for ideas http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=770873&highlight=crown+vic
Thanks for the heads up about sac vintage fords and I did join the 57-60 f100 groups. Just one question about The Truck Shop is that the name I would search for online and where are they located? Thanks
The truck shop is in orange, ca . Just down the street from me. Google them and view the online catalog
Thanks man. Ya Ill check it out. Also I did just post a few pics of under my truck on my album, it looks like the old owner put mono reverse eye springs on it but that looks like that's all he did. If you get a chance to look at the pics and have any suggestions on how to make the ride smoother with this current set up, I would really appreciate it. Thanks again!
Looking at your pictures, you have mono leaf springs all around. The front spring is setting on the bump stop. Try cutting that down as far as you can go. It will be a help to start with. Most likely the rear needs the same treatment. Try that before you spend a bunch of money replacing parts. If that doesn't help, new mild lowering springs with a dropped axle for the front and stock springs mounted below the axle in the rear with a small c notch. All of that is not cheap and it will still ride like a truck. But I like that. It's what I drive. Have fun.
Flip the springs. You can see where the spring is rubing the bottom flange of the frame . It will ride better . Depend on how new the mono leafs are only time and use will soften them up.
Thanks for the advise, ya I think cutting the bump stops down is going to be the way to go. Hopefully this will increase the travel and make it a little smoother. Once I get the funds together I will be doing exactly what you mention. Most guys said that the drop axel and c notch is the best way to go. Do you think it would help at all if I flipped the springs? Thanks again and you have a awesome truck!!
Just to make sure That by flipping the springs, that means putting them under the axel compared to above correct?
On my 51 f-1 I have the 4 drop axle with a 5 inch mono leafs . And kyb shocks. At first it was stiff but as time and driving p***es the ride has soften .
Got it thanks. Ya I think I will flip them and trim the bump stops and see what happens. If that fails, ill be getting the drop axel and c nothing the rear. Thanks
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