The Ford Barn

jnunez1955 · 07-27-2011, 07:07 AM

I just brought a 1951 ford f1....all original (mostly)
it has the stock flathead v8, ibeam axle, manual tranny, steering.

But the previous owner (before deciding to sell it to me) wanted to turn it into a rod, he pinched the frame in 2 inches to help channel the body.
The truck has a good stance, and i would love to reverse it but its quite a bit of work to undo what the previous owner did.

My problem is that i want to keep the original drivetrain, but since the frame is pinched 2 inches, the parallel leafs will not line up with the front axle.

My solution is to move the spring hangers off to the side, my question is, since the hangers wont be under the frame anymore, would the 3000pound truck weight, put to much strain on the new hangers...especially in front of the car.

thanks for any help guys.

36 flathead · 07-27-2011, 07:51 AM

I think it would be easy to move the spring perches on the rear end.

jnunez1955 · 07-27-2011, 08:19 AM

yeah. the rear end is easy.
you can just simply weld new mounts on the rearend is self

the front end axle on the other hand... is completely fixed.
you cant adjust the perches on the axle

Will moving the front spring perches an 1inch on each side outwards,
will that be to much weight? what gauge metal should i use and type of welding should be done?
i know they designed the perches to fit right under the car, which helps handle the weight...but that obviously wont work for me.

the axle perch center to center is 29 inches long,

rotorwrench · 07-27-2011, 12:10 PM

The structure will hold the weight if some gussets made from triangular steel plate are welded on to reinforce the spring mounting structures or weld on some short outer channel sections to box in the outer edges of the original frame channel at each mounting point (extend the frame outward on both sides just for the spring mounts).

The great thing about a custom is you can modify it any way you want as long as the structure will support the intended load.

jnunez1955 · 07-27-2011, 09:26 PM

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yea, what gauge tubing should i use,and the type of weld

i was debating between welding in new spring hangers...or using 1" offset spring hangers...but the price is well over 200 bucks just for a pair.

07-27-2011, 07:07 AM	#1
jnunez1955 Member Join Date: Sep 2010 Posts: 60	1951 Ford F1 axle, front spring hanger questions I just brought a 1951 ford f1....all original (mostly) it has the stock flathead v8, ibeam axle, manual tranny, steering. But the previous owner (before deciding to sell it to me) wanted to turn it into a rod, he pinched the frame in 2 inches to help channel the body. The truck has a good stance, and i would love to reverse it but its quite a bit of work to undo what the previous owner did. My problem is that i want to keep the original drivetrain, but since the frame is pinched 2 inches, the parallel leafs will not line up with the front axle. My solution is to move the spring hangers off to the side, my question is, since the hangers wont be under the frame anymore, would the 3000pound truck weight, put to much strain on the new hangers...especially in front of the car. thanks for any help guys. Last edited by jnunez1955; 07-27-2011 at 08:20 AM.

07-27-2011, 07:51 AM	#2
36 flathead Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: pittsburgh pa Posts: 138	Re: 1951 Ford F1 axle, spring hanger questions I think it would be easy to move the spring perches on the rear end.

07-27-2011, 08:19 AM	#3
jnunez1955 Member Join Date: Sep 2010 Posts: 60	Re: 1951 Ford F1 axle, spring hanger questions yeah. the rear end is easy. you can just simply weld new mounts on the rearend is self the front end axle on the other hand... is completely fixed. you cant adjust the perches on the axle Will moving the front spring perches an 1inch on each side outwards, will that be to much weight? what gauge metal should i use and type of welding should be done? i know they designed the perches to fit right under the car, which helps handle the weight...but that obviously wont work for me. the axle perch center to center is 29 inches long, Last edited by jnunez1955; 07-27-2011 at 08:35 AM.

07-27-2011, 12:10 PM	#4
rotorwrench Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: San Antonio, Texas Posts: 16,422	Re: 1951 Ford F1 axle, front spring hanger questions The structure will hold the weight if some gussets made from triangular steel plate are welded on to reinforce the spring mounting structures or weld on some short outer channel sections to box in the outer edges of the original frame channel at each mounting point (extend the frame outward on both sides just for the spring mounts). The great thing about a custom is you can modify it any way you want as long as the structure will support the intended load.

07-27-2011, 09:26 PM	#5
jnunez1955 Member Join Date: Sep 2010 Posts: 60	Re: 1951 Ford F1 axle, front spring hanger questions Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) yea, what gauge tubing should i use,and the type of weld i was debating between welding in new spring hangers...or using 1" offset spring hangers...but the price is well over 200 bucks just for a pair.

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