Best riding A?

[daveymc29]

I have a 31 coupe that has original type shocks which appear to be in fair condition. Like all I have ever had, they leaked from day one, but did seem to improve the ride. I tried some after market tube shocks and the gave a bad ride on the coupe and also on my roadster so I went back to the original type. It gives such a bumpy ride that I'm thinking or getting into larger car and forget the Model A's as my bride complains from mile one to the end of every tour that the jouncing along is killing her back and joints. I hate to admit it, but I am getting close to agreeing with her. What is the best riding A? Maybe I can try with some of the sedans? Any suggestions? A couple of thousand bucks in shocks is not what I'm hoping for.

Dave Mc Arthur

[Gary WA]

I have three model A's and the best one my wife likes is the 4dr blindback!

[Pete]

It is not easy or cheap to get a soft ride in a model A but it CAN be done.
First you need to diddle with the springs to get 100 lb. per inch rate on both front and back.
THEN you diddle with the shocks. I used second hand race car shocks because they were cheap and I could try many till I got what I wanted.

[Y-Blockhead]

One thing I have found on my Town Sedan is not to over-inflate the tires. I also lubed my springs with springs with Slip-plate and have spring covers. Shocks are Stipes. Also have a panhard bar in rear as she tends to sway in a crosswind.

I don't know how the same setup would work on a coupe but I like the ride in my Town Sedan.

[ronn]

I agree on the sedans. but if switching away from a Ford- consider a nice heavy Buick.


I have a 30 model 68 and man is it smooth and heavy and comfortable.

[Kurt in NJ]

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The one with well lubricated springs and properly working shocks

[nkaminar]

The heaver 30/31 Fordors will ride better. Grease the springs. I have an antique device that you hammer between the leaves of the spring and then twist the cap to insert grease. But you could wedge the leaves apart with a large screw driver and then squirt some grease in with a hypodermic needle.

Good shocks are also important. The original Ford shocks are the best because they can be adjusted. The tube shocks are too stiff for the front but you could try shocks for a light car. The rear shocks for a Triumph car look like they will fit the brackets sold by the vendors. VW Bug shocks (1960's) will fit but you will need to modify the brackets with metric bolts.

[springerpete]

How about tires ? Old tires get hard and give a stiff ride. Radials are much better riding. Bill

[P.S.]

Best (softest) ride Model A I own is the 29 fordor. The wood body cars also tend to be quieter. Ride comfort is a lot of factors combined. Springy springs (they stiffen as they age), proper shock absorbers, seat springs, car weight and distribution, etc.

[JayJay]

I've had a 29 station wagon, 30 CCPU, 30 Town Sedan (wood body) and 31 Town Sedan (metal body). I think the 30 TS with good shocks is the smoothest ride. That was with 90+ year old springs and 40+ year old 19" tires, I'm really looking forward to the restored version (in progress) with rebuilt and lubed springs and 16" radials.

[RDVAARK]

Hi,
I've got some suggestions on shocks,but gotten my replies screwed up and would like you to please look at my posted reply under Larry's "Speedster windshield" thread. In the meantime, I'll try to move my remarks about using Triumph TR4 sports car shocks on a Model A.
Sorry for any confusion, please do look.
Russ

[Y-Blockhead]

Originally Posted by RDVAARK

Hi,
I've got some suggestions on shocks,but gotten my replies screwed up and would like you to please look at my posted reply under Larry's "Speedster windshield" thread. In the meantime, I'll try to move my remarks about using Triumph TR4 sports car shocks on a Model A.
Sorry for any confusion, please do look.
Russ

See Russ's post below

"For rear shocks, look at Triumph Tr4 andTr6. they fit the chassis holes on my 28 tudor, and usually are attached to arms with a ball end compatible with Model A dogbone links. I have used a set on the tudor for years, not adjustable, but ride nice,-seem to be close to 60/40. I reshaped (shorter and at a slant)the top of the body casting on a sander to fit the indent in the wheel well, using the original top. To get linkage alignment and to adjust leverage for stiffness, I wrapped the shock body in wet rags to protect the internals, and heated and bent the arms into a'Z" shape to shorten them for various strengths. They work well enough and are easy to find used. Cutting and fabricating proper length arms would be well worthwhile once you find what length works best.
With some work, they could be fitted on the front, but clearing the fenders can be tricky. The Triumph is close enough to the A in weight that this was doable, producing a nice ride in a tudor. In a coupe, worth trying. Trial and error with sandbags in the trunk could be instructive.
Russ"

[AL in NY]

The one you happen to be riding in!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Oldbluoval]

Slant fordor when set up correctly

[RDVAARK]

Thank you, Y-Blockhead , for the repeat of my shocking reply. Nice assist.
.Russ

[Brentwood Bob]

Davey, if your original shocks are leaking, I know a guy.

[Jim M]

I agree with the old tires. I put a new set on my Roadster. Got the good ones...NOT the cheap ones. Made a big difference!!

[mhsprecher]

My 30 town sedan rides like a luxury car relatively speaking. My 28 roadster bounces all over the road like a buckboard. Both have radials and recently rebuilt shocks by the late Robert Paul.

[daveymc29]

Yeh, my shocks are from the late RP. They were leaking before I got them on the car. Not sure I can get a decent adjustment out of them. I had three sets over the years, you're right, I never learn. All leak imediately after the initial ride and continue to do so until empty. I have some old tube shocks that pull hard by hand, might work on the back and put some heavier oil in the original fronts. I like the Buick suggestion and feel inclined toward that direction. Have had a couple of Lincoln Continentals and they ride well but can be pricey for a retired guy on a fixed income. First off though, I believe I will diddle with the oil and adjustments a but more. Sure thankful for your replies, keep 'em coming. I'm old, but might still learn something. Dave Mc Arthur

[Bob Bidonde]

I have a 1931 Coupe and its rear wheels easily get airborne from bumps. After trying a few things including running low tire pressures, I finally opted for 1932 V8 wheels. It made a tremendously smoother ride.
1932 18" wheels are scarce, but 1933 & 1934 17" wheels plus 1935 16" wheels are much mode common and use tires that will make a huge difference in ride quality. All 1932 thru 1935 Ford passenger car wheels fit the Model "A."
The pictures before (red wheels) and the 1932 V8 wheels.