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Old 01-30-2011, 09:12 PM   #1
fleetpaint
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Default wheels & tires for lowered 39 ford

Just installed 4" lowered axell & reverse lowering spring in my stock 39 ford tudor sedan. The car is now way too low for the stock wheels & tires. Anyone have ideas on what would be the best direction to go?
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Old 01-30-2011, 09:17 PM   #2
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Default Re: wheels & tires for lowered 39 ford

pic.
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Old 01-30-2011, 09:19 PM   #3
Tim Brown
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Default Re: wheels & tires for lowered 39 ford

what would be the best direction to go?

UP? Sorry...
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Old 01-30-2011, 09:25 PM   #4
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Default Re: wheels & tires for lowered 39 ford

What is the problem with the stock wheel / tire comb?? - does it hit the front fender when turning on level surface? approaching a grade?
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Old 01-30-2011, 10:37 PM   #5
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Default Re: wheels & tires for lowered 39 ford

very low, cant turn much at all!
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Old 01-31-2011, 12:09 AM   #6
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Default Re: wheels & tires for lowered 39 ford

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What size tires do you have on the car now? Perhaps narrower ones on the front?
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Old 01-31-2011, 12:19 AM   #7
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Default Re: wheels & tires for lowered 39 ford

Coker sells a 4.75 X16 WW Firestone thats a bit over 26"" tall($154 ea).You might try that but means to spend more money.
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Old 01-31-2011, 12:34 AM   #8
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Default Re: wheels & tires for lowered 39 ford

What about refitting the stock spring, would that give the look and the function???
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Old 01-31-2011, 01:14 AM   #9
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Default Re: wheels & tires for lowered 39 ford

I have a '39 coupe body on a '40 frame, with a 4" dropped front axle and I use Coker's 560 X 15 tires. I have a std rear end and use G78 X 15's on the back.
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Old 01-31-2011, 02:23 AM   #10
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Default Re: wheels & tires for lowered 39 ford

Axle could be a little wide, king pin to king pin.

You can also put a spacer between the top of the spring and the cross member. If it sits lower on one side than the other, you could make the spacer wedge shaped.

Change offset of your front wheels.
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Old 01-31-2011, 02:20 PM   #11
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Default Re: wheels & tires for lowered 39 ford

I'm running stock 16 inchers on mine. I would say your front axle is too wide. Mine is too and it makes it turn like a battle ship. I rolled in a small part of my fender lip so if it does rub, at least it doesn't cut up the tire.
Basically I just learned my limits on tight spaces/turns and have been fine.
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Old 01-31-2011, 03:18 PM   #12
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Default Re: wheels & tires for lowered 39 ford

Labold, Your car looks great! Love the stance
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Old 01-31-2011, 04:08 PM   #13
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Default Re: wheels & tires for lowered 39 ford

The stock 39- 41 Ford axle is 48 1/2 in. king pin CL to king pin CL. The Magnum 4 in dropped axle for a 40 Ford is 3/4 in.less than this to allow for better tire/fender clearance. Is that the one you installed? If so, then you would have had to shorten your drag link too. Did you installed dropped steering arms? The easiest way to solve your present problem is to reinstall your stock spring. That will raise your front end by at least 1 inch. If you reinstall your stock axle and the reversed eye spring your front end will be 1 inch lower than stock. If you install the dropped axle and your stock spring your front end will be 2 in lower than stock. Keep in mind the springs do "settle" over time. If you install a 4 inch dropped axle and reversed eye spring your car will be 3 in lower than stock.
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Old 01-31-2011, 07:43 PM   #14
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Default Re: wheels & tires for lowered 39 ford

the tires rub when not going straight!..lol
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Old 01-31-2011, 08:09 PM   #15
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Default Re: wheels & tires for lowered 39 ford

Quote:
Originally Posted by 19Fordy View Post
The stock 39- 41 Ford axle is 48 1/2 in. king pin CL to king pin CL. The Magnum 4 in dropped axle for a 40 Ford is 3/4 in.less than this to allow for better tire/fender clearance. Is that the one you installed? If so, then you would have had to shorten your drag link too. Did you installed dropped steering arms? The easiest way to solve your present problem is to reinstall your stock spring. That will raise your front end by at least 1 inch. If you reinstall your stock axle and the reversed eye spring your front end will be 1 inch lower than stock. If you install the dropped axle and your stock spring your front end will be 2 in lower than stock. Keep in mind the springs do "settle" over time. If you install a 4 inch dropped axle and reversed eye spring your car will be 3 in lower than stock.
I installed the lowered axel that came with the car, so I dont know for sure what axel I have, I will measure tonight. I did need to shorten the drag link & install i droped stering arms.
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Old 01-31-2011, 09:33 PM   #16
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Default Re: wheels & tires for lowered 39 ford

The way I have found to easily lower the front of the 37-40's is to use the 35-36 wishbone and the 46" (K-K) 4" Superbell ($250)or Magnum axle($360).That brings the wheel and tire in further.The front spring is the same from 35-40 so you can reuse it.You might have to modify the perch pins depending on what shocks you use.
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Old 02-07-2011, 11:41 PM   #17
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Default Re: wheels & tires for lowered 39 ford

I did actully the same set up and had that the same problem. Left the 4" dropped axle and replaced the original front spring and that helped.
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Old 02-08-2011, 07:41 AM   #18
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Default Re: wheels & tires for lowered 39 ford

Quote:
Originally Posted by gmc1941 View Post
I did actully the same set up and had that the same problem. Left the 4" dropped axle and replaced the original front spring and that helped.
I think that is what i need to do!....Just mounted the new 475/16 coker's!....Will see what that does!
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Old 02-08-2011, 09:38 AM   #19
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Default Re: wheels & tires for lowered 39 ford

There is always the other way.
Put a IFS I have a Heights front end with narrowed a arms running 205x70x 15 with 6" in wheels.All i need now is about $1000 for www tires.I'm also using stock steering wheel with Manuel rack and Stock MII spindles.Just aim it goes straight as arrow.The CE bolton may also be easier.
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Old 02-08-2011, 09:38 AM   #20
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