I'm slowly working on my 39 Deluxe that I received from my dad. It's 100% original, so any mods I do, I would like to be bolt on only so that the car could go back to original at some point. I read an article from Street Rodder magazine about lowering a 39 using a 35/36 unsplit wishbone. http://www.streetrodderweb.com/tech/0709sr_1939_ford_deluxe_sedan/index.html This looks like a way I would be interested in, but I'm curious if any has done this. Also, once you lowered your car, how much did it drop total? And what size tire/rim did you use? I've looked through the 39/40 picture threads and several of the cars have great looks/rakes to them. Any information anyone could provide I would appreciate. Here's a picture of my 39 Deluxe.
You should do just what that article said.The only thing I changed was I used 46-48 shackles on the rear and droped it about 1 inch more.Here are some pics of my 40 coupe,before and after.
no need to use `35-`36 bones , just use your existing bones with a Magnum axle with 38-1/2 perch centers
I've been looking into dropping the front on my '39 Standard also. Unfortunately the $$$ for the drop axle and all of the other related expenses doesn't seem like it'd be the best investment right now. So, for now I bought just the Posies reverse-eye super slider spring. I installed it with some new shackles last weekend. Here are the before and after pictures. Before. After. I took measurements at the top of the front wheel well and also at the center of the front bumper. Just changing the spring dropped it an even 2" in both locations. If money is an issue you might want to consider that option. The difference isn't huge- but it is noticeable. For wheels and tires I'm running 15" 6" wide Wheel Vintiques Gennies. Front tires are 185/70R15- rear are 217/70R15. Jay
The first pic has 14x6 rims with 185-75-14 tires. The front end is a Super Bell 4" drop axle with a reverse eye spring with a few leaves removed. The rear rims are 15x8 with 255-70-15 tires, but the rear suspension is not stock. I put a Chassis Engineering leaf set up in it and moved it back 1 inch so i don't know if that size wheel and tire will fit on a stock buggy sprung car. The second pic has 15x5 rims up front and 15x7 rears with 255-70 tires...
Thanks for the information and pictures. I think I'm going to go with the Magnum axle, part #2860. I get to keep my original wishbone, unsplit, and still lower the car. Now any suggestions on changing hubs so I can change from the wide 5 pattern to a more conventional pattern?
You can change over to old F 100 drum brakes and get self energizing drum brakes or you could change to disc and it could easily be changed back later if need be.
No pix but I have a stock front end with disc brakes. Used a posie reversed eye spring and 195x65x15 fronts. I have 8" to the center of the chin from the ground which is safe for driveways and country roads. All else is stock and it works for me.
1) Dblcltch1, upgrade the brakes as OL 55 suggests. 2) To lower it, open the passenger door and help your girlfriend or wife aboard. (If it's your girlfriend, make sure that your wife doesn't find out.) I know she only weighs 107, but that's fine. Next, open the driver's door and help yourself in. You will note, as you proudly look into the storefront window's reflection, that the stance is perfect. 3) Flip the spark switch, push the button, shift into 1st and cruise away. Nothing you can do this car will improve on those three.
OL 55, what size tires are you running in the front of the car in the second picture? I'm guessing a 185 or 195/70/15 from the size of the white wall and side wall height? What brand of tire are they? Thanks for all the great info guys.
Sorry for the delay, I was searching for something and came across this old thread. To answer your question......165-15 Coker radials on the front in the second picture.
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