The Ford Barn

Augiep9 · 03-25-2016, 09:31 AM

How would I vow out taking some leafs out of my rear leaf pack? Put the frame of jack stands, unbolt u bolts that hold spring to crossmember, lower rear end with spring pack down, use c-clamp and all thread to get springs apart, remove the leafs and reassemble in reverse order? Does that sounds safe? And do I need to unhook the brake rods to get it to drop down low enough?

wrndln · 03-25-2016, 09:55 AM

The only safe way I now is to remove the spring together. Then using large C clamps clamping the leaves together, remove the center bolt and slowly release the C clamps until the tension is gone. Then remove leaves 7 and 9 if you want an 8 leaf spring and then reverse the procedure above and reinstall the modified spring. Remember, the rear spring has tremendous power/potential energy and can do a lot of damage, if things go bad.
Rusty Nelson

Jim Huseby · 03-25-2016, 09:55 AM

Yes. Remove brake rods and shock links. And you'll get a lot of due safety admonitions from your friends here on the barn. Call me at 816 690 8464. It's not a toll call for you.

Jim Brierley · 03-25-2016, 10:27 AM

Leave the top leaf in its original position as it has rounded top edges to fit in the cross-member.

Augiep9 · 03-25-2016, 11:38 AM

Thanks guys. So should I take the spring put to do it or is it safe to leave it in? I can weld up a spreader if need b but it's I can do it in the truck I will

Augiep9 · 03-25-2016, 11:40 AM

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Jim huseby, where do you live? And would you by any chance have a spring spreader?

Tom from Drippin' · 03-25-2016, 11:50 AM

I highly recommend wrapping the spring with a heavy chain, when loosening the center bolt.

700rpm · 03-25-2016, 11:57 AM

It's a lot of dangerous work, and what do you hope to accomplish? If you removed even four leaves you might lower it only by an inch or so, and I suspect it will adversely affect the overall handling of the car, since a roadster pickup is already pretty light. I personally wouldn't do this.

Augiep9 · 03-25-2016, 12:15 PM

I would like to get it down 3 or 4 inches in the back. The front springs seems to b sagging lower than factory already and I am put 17" wire wheels with a 5.50x17 tire. Just looking to get the gap between the fender smaller. Would a model t spring with a leaf or two removed get me low enough?

C26Pinelake · 03-25-2016, 03:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tom from Drippin'

I highly recommend wrapping the spring with a heavy chain, when loosening the center bolt.

Smart man, I could not agree more ! Wayne

C26Pinelake · 03-25-2016, 03:12 PM

I also have a RPU as does a friend. When he lowered his he developed a terrible growl in the rear end ! He compared everything with mine to get rid of the growl and still has not. Wayne.

1930pu · 03-25-2016, 07:12 PM

I don't plan to haul anything in my 1930 rpu, i used a roadster spring in the rear and it sits nice, and rides good

Jim Brierley · 03-26-2016, 11:44 AM

I put a Model T spring on the rear of my widebed, it lowered the rear quite a bit. I have a 4" dropped axle in front. Rides really low.

C26Pinelake · 03-26-2016, 11:55 AM

Why would you want to lower the backend? My neighbors looks like a Model A abortion! Wayne

Augiep9 · 04-01-2016, 08:18 AM

I'm thinking the what I am going to get is a model t reversed eye spring from speedway. I will Probly not take any leafs out and see how it sits. Here is a picture of the 33-34 wire mocked up.

Jim Brierley · 04-01-2016, 10:14 AM

Rreversed eye springs are more difficult to install, always use caution!

Russ B · 04-01-2016, 11:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jim Brierley

Rreversed eye springs are more difficult to install, always use caution!

I made special clamps for my spring spreader to install a reversed eye main spring safely. Still much care and caution needed. Stacked on leaves afterwards using all thread and four big C-clamps.

dalton · 04-01-2016, 11:16 PM

A reverse eye T spring will get you down about 3", maybe a little more.

They have a different arc at the top where the spring goes into the crossmember so a shim made of a hardwood like rock maple is a good idea to disperse the weight and keep a similar contact patch between the spring and the crossmember. I traced the springs and cut a "shim" to fit the difference in shapes.

Like others have said, use a real spring spreader, a chain to contain the spring pack should something go wrong, and be careful. I have seen some scary homemade spring spreaders.

Also, try over at the HAMB for doing mods like this, They cater to Traditional hot rods and customs and you will get more people experienced with hot rods and modified cars.

Augiep9 · 04-03-2016, 08:03 PM

Thanks for the information. I did build a spring spreader last week out of 2x2 square tube and round bar. When I get around to getting the spring installed I will post more.

dalton · 04-03-2016, 09:11 PM

Not to be insulting Augie, I don't know your skill and knowledge level, so, with that said, please make sure the spreader you've built is strong and stable enough for the job at hand. The strength and power in the model a springs, especially the rear, are often underestimated. They can kill or severely injure.

I have seen some pretty scary homemade spring spreaders on the interweb. If you post some pics of your spreader here and on the HAMB, you will likely get some feedback. Good or bad!

03-25-2016, 09:31 AM	#1
Augiep9 Junior Member Join Date: Mar 2016 Location: Basehor, KS Posts: 10	Lowering rear of RPU How would I vow out taking some leafs out of my rear leaf pack? Put the frame of jack stands, unbolt u bolts that hold spring to crossmember, lower rear end with spring pack down, use c-clamp and all thread to get springs apart, remove the leafs and reassemble in reverse order? Does that sounds safe? And do I need to unhook the brake rods to get it to drop down low enough?

03-25-2016, 09:55 AM	#2
wrndln Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Lakeville, MN Posts: 5,168	Re: Lowering rear of RPU The only safe way I now is to remove the spring together. Then using large C clamps clamping the leaves together, remove the center bolt and slowly release the C clamps until the tension is gone. Then remove leaves 7 and 9 if you want an 8 leaf spring and then reverse the procedure above and reinstall the modified spring. Remember, the rear spring has tremendous power/potential energy and can do a lot of damage, if things go bad. Rusty Nelson

03-25-2016, 09:55 AM	#3
Jim Huseby Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Posts: 361	Re: Lowering rear of RPU Yes. Remove brake rods and shock links. And you'll get a lot of due safety admonitions from your friends here on the barn. Call me at 816 690 8464. It's not a toll call for you.

03-25-2016, 10:27 AM	#4
Jim Brierley Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Temecula, CA Posts: 4,095	Re: Lowering rear of RPU Leave the top leaf in its original position as it has rounded top edges to fit in the cross-member.

03-25-2016, 11:38 AM	#5
Augiep9 Junior Member Join Date: Mar 2016 Location: Basehor, KS Posts: 10	Re: Lowering rear of RPU Thanks guys. So should I take the spring put to do it or is it safe to leave it in? I can weld up a spreader if need b but it's I can do it in the truck I will

03-25-2016, 11:40 AM	#6
Augiep9 Junior Member Join Date: Mar 2016 Location: Basehor, KS Posts: 10	Re: Lowering rear of RPU Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) Jim huseby, where do you live? And would you by any chance have a spring spreader?

03-25-2016, 11:50 AM	#7
Tom from Drippin' Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Dripping Springs, Texas Posts: 286	Re: Lowering rear of RPU I highly recommend wrapping the spring with a heavy chain, when loosening the center bolt. __________________ The pursuit of excellence is healthy and rewarding. The pursuit of perfection is frustrating, neurotic and a terrible waste of time.

03-25-2016, 11:57 AM	#8
700rpm Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Portland, Oregon Posts: 5,913	Re: Lowering rear of RPU It's a lot of dangerous work, and what do you hope to accomplish? If you removed even four leaves you might lower it only by an inch or so, and I suspect it will adversely affect the overall handling of the car, since a roadster pickup is already pretty light. I personally wouldn't do this. __________________ Ray Horton, Portland, OR As you go through life, keep your eye on the donut, not the hole.

03-25-2016, 12:15 PM	#9
Augiep9 Junior Member Join Date: Mar 2016 Location: Basehor, KS Posts: 10	Re: Lowering rear of RPU I would like to get it down 3 or 4 inches in the back. The front springs seems to b sagging lower than factory already and I am put 17" wire wheels with a 5.50x17 tire. Just looking to get the gap between the fender smaller. Would a model t spring with a leaf or two removed get me low enough?

03-25-2016, 03:12 PM	#11
C26Pinelake BANNED Join Date: May 2010 Location: Michigan / Ontario border, Sarnia, Ontario. 50 miles from Detroit and 150 from Toronto. Posts: 5,800	Re: Lowering rear of RPU I also have a RPU as does a friend. When he lowered his he developed a terrible growl in the rear end ! He compared everything with mine to get rid of the growl and still has not. Wayne.

03-25-2016, 07:12 PM	#12
1930pu Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Kingston, Pa. Posts: 151	Re: Lowering rear of RPU I don't plan to haul anything in my 1930 rpu, i used a roadster spring in the rear and it sits nice, and rides good

03-26-2016, 11:44 AM	#13
Jim Brierley Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Temecula, CA Posts: 4,095	Re: Lowering rear of RPU I put a Model T spring on the rear of my widebed, it lowered the rear quite a bit. I have a 4" dropped axle in front. Rides really low.

03-26-2016, 11:55 AM	#14
C26Pinelake BANNED Join Date: May 2010 Location: Michigan / Ontario border, Sarnia, Ontario. 50 miles from Detroit and 150 from Toronto. Posts: 5,800	Re: Lowering rear of RPU Why would you want to lower the backend? My neighbors looks like a Model A abortion! Wayne

04-01-2016, 10:14 AM	#16
Jim Brierley Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Temecula, CA Posts: 4,095	Re: Lowering rear of RPU Rreversed eye springs are more difficult to install, always use caution!

04-03-2016, 08:03 PM	#19
Augiep9 Junior Member Join Date: Mar 2016 Location: Basehor, KS Posts: 10	Re: Lowering rear of RPU Thanks for the information. I did build a spring spreader last week out of 2x2 square tube and round bar. When I get around to getting the spring installed I will post more.

04-03-2016, 09:11 PM	#20
dalton Member Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Orlando Posts: 80	Re: Lowering rear of RPU Not to be insulting Augie, I don't know your skill and knowledge level, so, with that said, please make sure the spreader you've built is strong and stable enough for the job at hand. The strength and power in the model a springs, especially the rear, are often underestimated. They can kill or severely injure. I have seen some pretty scary homemade spring spreaders on the interweb. If you post some pics of your spreader here and on the HAMB, you will likely get some feedback. Good or bad!