Technical 40 Ford parallel leaf springs

I waited at least this long last year for mine, got side tracked on another project, so hopefully will get it installed on my 36 this summer.

 

I've used CE on 2 40 s The first was in the early/ mid 80 s and the springs were curved backwards After some driving (maybe 6-8 months) . The car rode great and the stance was good. My current 40 has springs purchased after 2000 but before Roy passed. They required 1 1/2 blocks to start and now have 1 in. blocks. I may go down to 1/2 in. blocks. I machined the blocks to move the axle to center the wheels in the fenders. My point is: springs settle.

 

Hey guys! I know this is an old thread but just curious if any of you used a maverick 8" with a Chasis Engineering leaf spring kit? I'm working on rebuilding the 8" atm and am planning on getting the kit next, being that I don't weld want to make sure it'll all bolt in without a need for welding anything.

Thanks!

 

Keep in mind that the offset of the Ford 8 inch rear is quite big. I think, around 2 in. Check and see.

 

I have built three 40’s with 8” Maverick and CE leafs. Works great

 

I have '40 with a 8" from a Granada and CE leafs, no issues at all with install. I have done two CE leaf kits one Chev, one '40 Ford and can confirm no need to weld.

 

I've got some shoebox wheels I'm going to be using. Thanks for the heads up I assumed they fit just fine. Might have to get some new wheels.

 

@Crusty Chevy @okiedokie

Thanks so much! I appreciate it! Do you guys happen to remember what you all used for wheels on the rear of those 40 ford's? What offset? I have a couple of wheels off of a shoebox I was planning on using but not sure if they'll work now.

Thanks again!

 

i used early Mustang springs fit great no issue ........

 

I have 15 x 5 smoothie steel wheels from I believe US Wheel (got them second hand) in the rear. I think it is a standard off-set around 2 1/2-3". They only make a 6" wheel now in that size. https://www.summitracing.com/parts/usw-510-56101 I like a regular old car sized tire, not looking to fill the space with anything wider. Though it looks like a 6 or possibly a 7 could fit. There is 4" between the leaf/frame and the inside edge of the rim and around 2" over to my skirt. Know that the wheel well gets pretty narrow at the top. 39guy has a nice trick in his 40 for Uncle Mike thread on making a bit of a mini-tub to get extra tire clearance.

 

A friend of mine used the Maverick rear and CE springs in his 36 Tudor, sway bar mounting had tight clearance to the wheels he was using. But, did clear.

 

@Crusty Chevy much appreciated man! That is some awesome info!

 

@Crusty Chevy How's it going man? About to buy the kit and was curious if you had to use wedges to adjust the pinion angle? Want to make sure I get everything I need to save some shipping costs.

Thanks!

 

early mustang rear springs,a good shop will ask you how much arch you want.

 

I put new saddles on my 8" rear end and set up the angle when I welded it. You will probably have to do the same as the spring saddle width of your rear end will most likely not match the distance between the leaf spring pins.

 

Thanks man! Was hoping I didn't have to deal with adjusting the perches but I guess I was wrong!

I appreciate it!

 

@okiedokie

Did you have to make any modifications to the spring pads on the maverick 8"s when you installed the CE leaf kit?

Thanks

 

And, that person would have to know what dimensions to plug in to draw them up, by the time thats all done, its probably cheaper to buy a kit, made right, that fits.

 

I have a maverick rear end under my 41 pickup with CE springs. Mine is a 9" posi that I had custom built, centered the pinion, I had to mount the sway bar above the axle for more room, and I welded the perches (spring pads) on myself after loading the frame to set the pinion angle. The Maverick rear end is perfect if you plan to run reverse offset wheels.

 

8” from 75 Maverick in my 40 with CE springs, did not have to move perch pads.

 

Hell yea! Haha what I wanted to hear, thanks man. My 8" is off a 72 maverick, hopefully not much different

 

Back in the 92 when I started building the 41 CE had a low ride spring kit and I still used lowering blocks

 

Which spring kit is that? The CE kits I have installed always put the spring hangers and shackles under the rails and it looks like your front hangers are inboard of the rails with the shackles thru the frame.

 

You have an excellent eye. It's a CE kit that was improved upon by @Pist-n-Broke prior to me purchasing the frame from him. No blocks required to get a wicked low stance. That's why we call him the Wizzard.

 

I have an 8" on my 47 Ford. I used the CE brackets but used Dodge pickup front springs. I'm going to take them to the spring shop and see if they can flatten them out a bit......this is with 4" blocks.

 

@topher5150 thanks for the insight man.

Wow, 4" blocks on that one? Holy shit I was worried my diamondback 820R15's were gonna be a tight fit. I think I'll still need some blocks, damn.

 

Hey, @Bandit Billy, have you got pics of the front spring hangers?

 

I don't remember the block size, I know it wasn't 4", I used and it has CE low ride springs

 

This is what it looked like before I put blocks on it.

 

@topher5150 did you use those adjustable blocks? The wheel looks way off on that image. First one looks spot on.