1952-59 Ford Front Springs - Replacements?

well if its only on the top then i would most certainly go with shorter tires . and a heavy sway bar helps more than you could imagine . maybe something like a 195 70 15 .

 

Simple: Make everybody sit on the left side of the car. Problem solved.

Okay, okay. I always get myself in trouble trying to be a smart-a**.

Here's my serious suggestions:

A. Go with a substantial front anti-sway bar. Ch***is Engineering makes a good MII anti-sway bar kit that should work. Take some measurements and call them to be sure.

B. Lower the rear end of your car so it sits almost level. I'd suggest 2" or 3" lowering springs instead of using blocks. You are getting substantial weight transfer to the front during braking and cornering with the rear end as high as it is.

3. Go with KYB heavy duty gas-charged shocks front and rear. This will improve the ride and handling, and slow suspension oscillations which contribute to spring compression during braking and turning.

4. Gain yourself a little more room in the fender wells by reshaping them slightly in the area of interference. This can be done neatly and almost invisibly by a skilled body man, so there's no need to bring out the hatchet or gas wrench. If you don't have the skills to do this yourself, hire it out.

Your car is finished very nicely as it is and appears to be essentially well built. This little bit of suspension fine-tuning should solve your problems and result in a car with an improved stance (not so radically dumped in the front) and greatly improved road manners.



Tony's '56 (50Fraud) is a good example of how your car might look with the suggested changes in place. His front end sits nice and low - about where yours is - but as you can see his rear end is not nearly as high.

I know this would make a substantial improvement in your car's handling, and in my humble opinion it improves the appearance (stance) of the car as well.

Hope this helps.

 

i like the idea of everybody sitting on the left side. that idea never occured to me. i also like the idea of the lowering springs as well. i did put kyb gas shocks on the front when i replaced those springs. i never thought to look at the problem from the rear of the car. it doesnt sit as high as the picture shows it to be really, altho there is a rake to it. tony's 56 looks very nice, and i appreciate the pic showing it to me. it has been a reliable driver, and i like to drive it when the weather is nice. now, it seems like its been raining here for almost 40 days and nights, but really has only been wet for a week.
st louis spring makes new leaf springs to order, and people i know who have used them have nothing but good to say about price, willingness to help you make the right decision and turn around time.
and, dont worry about being a smart a##. i can take it. there is a little smart a## in all of us

 

i cut a coil and three quarters... now i have to notch my frame for clearance.... 'shrug' i like cuttin' stuff up.. it's all good. . . . . it's low though... and that makes me happy!

 

Hi folks! I did cut off 1 1/3 turn of mine springs and is still riding fine!
Vicky!

 

Hi Again! I forgott to say i have 17"inch in front and 18" back!

 

Maybe you could put the wife and kids in the trunk to lower the back...

I have Granada spindals, 1" lower blocks on the front of my '55 Ranchwagon . 2" lowering blocks on the rear with KYB Gas-a-Just shocks on all four corners. I don't have any rubbing problems except when the trans pan hits the driveway if I try to back in...

 

I think Tony's car is the deal!!!! I can't get enought of it, everything perfect!

 

yeah, if i only knew how to photoshop, i would be set but yeah, he does have one sweet looking ride thats for sure

 

I'm not sure I understand your photoshop comment. If you need photoshop work done, one of our members, Scott (Skoh73) is a photoshop expert and is willing to do photoshop work for our members. If he's covered up there's always the big photoshop thread on the main board as well.

If it's about the photo of Tony's '56, that's the real thing. No photoshop involved...and no bags. I had the pleasure of seeing his car "in person" at the Lonestar Round Up this year and it's every bit as nice...and as low...as the photos show.

That's the beauty of the HAMB. There's almost always somebody who can help you find what you need.

 

Whoa Eric! I'm not an expert! I'm just a guy that likes to do cars for people as a hobby, to help out, and hopefully, give back a little to the HAMB.

 

what i meant by my photoshop comment was if i knew how to do that, i could see for myself which view i like better. right now, the bottom of the wheel well lip, from the ground are at about 23 inches. all exhaust is tucked up nicely with nothing hanging willy nilly.

 

skoh73
Whoa Eric! I'm not an expert! I'm just a guy that likes to do cars for people as a hobby, to help out, and hopefully, give back a little to the HAMB.

Well, maybe so, but I'm impressed with your work. I think you're too modest.

dwaynerz what i meant by my photoshop comment was if i knew how to do that, i could see for myself which view i like better. right now, the bottom of the wheel well lip, from the ground are at about 23 inches. all exhaust is tucked up nicely with nothing hanging willy nilly.

Photoshop is a great tool in the hands of talented, motivated people like Scott (issat better?). Many of us have taken advantage of the photoshoppers like Scott who make themselves available to HAMB members. They have the ability to turn our thoughts into visions, which we can then turn into reality.

Most photoshoppers are more than willing to help if you'll supply them with a good clear photo, usually a side view, of sufficient size. They don't ask for payment, but as one of our most prolific photoshoppers, James D, often states, "please and thank you go a long way".

I have asked for photoshop help on several occasions and our resident HAMB photoshoppers have come through with flying colors.

Don't be afraid to ask.