Transverse spring question-- drag race related

Since the stock early Ford front leaf spring pack is SO DANG HEAVY, I was wondering if a lightweight single leaf transverse spring could be used in a street-strip full-bodied gasser? Would it be sufficient if pulling the front wheels off the ground by maybe a couple inches during launch (not a big wheelie) when it settles back down? If a single leaf might possibly be sufficient, what material would be recommended? Fiberglass? Carbon fiber? Steel? What manufacturer? Suggestions? Any one with experiences with single leaf transverse front springs?

 

BlownOlds, what most guys did is rearch the main leaf and build a spacer to raise it more. That is what we have done, we have 3 leaves. I wouldn't worry about the weight. Get a haircut and it will make up the difference.

 

I somehow doubt a haircut would make up the diff. Have you picked one up? HEEEEEAAAAVVVY. Besides, my head is shaved already. Any other suggestions? Looking for any input. Anyone know of any problems that have surfaced with any of the aftermarket single-leaf transverse springs for early Fords?

 

The monoleafs are mushy from what I hear. Ask ElPolacko he probably can steer ya(no pun intended) in the right direction.

 

Thanks, man. I'll hit him up about that. Personally, I don't mind mushy a little, especially if it lets the front end come up a little quicker on launch. The big problem is whether or not it would allow damage to occur when coming down off a little bit of air on a launch (say, a couple inches in the air, but then coming down). I realize that it would not prevent damage on a big wheelie, but then again, I don't expect a big wheelie-- plus even modern suspensions don't always protect from that kind of abuse anyway.

Hey, you want to sell those 16x10 Halibrands with the single bolt pattern? I'm looking for a pair with a single drilled bolt pattern. If you don't mind having dual-drill, then you could probably pick up another set real easy. E-mail me at jec2@gte.net. Talk to you later.

 

The mono leafs are a little soft.Also pretty flat,so you wouldn't have alot of travel in compression.If you really want to save weight,think coilovers.

 

I didn't think the springs on a coil over would be sufficient enough to hold the weight all by themselves. I thought those were more of a damping thing. I'll have to check into that, as I actually planned on using coilovers in the first place (I really like the polished aluminum Aldan's).

Well then, that begs a couple questions anyways:

1)Can you run a Ford beam axle suspension without any transverse spring in there at all? Or should a single leaf be in there, and then the coilovers added to boot?

2)Who has info on putting coil overs on an early Ford front suspension???

 

BO, (hehe) I am mounting those bad boys tomorrow. I bead blasted em today and applied the conversion coating on em.
Got the slix today...tomorrow we mount!!The slix that is.

 

If you ever do sell them for whatever reason, remember I axed fust.

hehe

 

Just found out that they are 5 on 5.....Gonna hafta drill the axles...don't wanna dual pattern wheel.

 

5 on 5, yep, that's what I want. But if you don't want a dual-pattern wheel, then I can't blame you for not wanting to sell. But keep me in mind if anything ever comes up, thanks.