Shoebox Central's Steering Upgrade Kit?

[Shoebox]

I too am interested in any current comments regarding this kit. Shoebox Central uses a picture of this kit for their STEERING section of their web page, but going in there is no listing of it at the moment. Jamco told me they have a lead time on them because they get them as ordered. So, guess I'll touch base with Fatman Fab.

[flatford8]

I put one on my ‘51 but I haven’t finished the car so I can’t advise how it works, but I think it’ll be an improvement. Mine is dropped two inches and there’s no clearance issue. I bought it because everything had to be replaced anyway. I saw one for sale on the HAMB that had been installed but not used and got it for my ‘50. Cant report back till spring......Mark

[vilanar]

I have one from Chris , it works great. My ´50 Conv has dropped spindles and bagged suspension so it is pretty low.
It handles great with help of heavier front sway bar and rear sway bar also. Only problem I had when assembling it was that holes on drag link were reamed little too deep so I have to put small bushings under nuts to have tie rods ends tightened.
20000+ miles and counting...

[Gene1949]

Just my $.02 worth. My idea was to have an easy ride that was lowered a bit and comfortable to ride/drive for a couple a thousand miles at a time.
Looked at these kits thru the years and the one thing they all have in common is addressing the dreaded bump steer in our shoeboxes.

I basically went to NAPA/TRW and replaced everything that moved. At the time prices and availability was good.
Got rid of the bias ply tires and went with a common sense radial 205/70R-14 with the correct width rim
Ford Aerostar front springs and 1 3/4" lowering blocks on sacked out rear springs. Shoeboxes like to set level.
Repurposed a front sway bar off a full size [late 70s boat] Buick Century using polyurethane bushings.

The really important part(s);
(1) Readjusted/tightened up the steering box
(2) fabricated enough hardware to level out [make parallel with the earth] the steering linkage (eliminating bump steer for the most part)
(3) Fabricated lowering blocks to drop the attachment points of the lower "A" arms. Again to level them using the earth as reference. Strictly trial and error not too sure if it was worth the effort
(4) putting as much caster as I could stand without killing the parking lot drivability (armstrong steering)
(5) 1/8-1/4 degree NEGATIVE camber

All of this stuff is super simple and easy to do. Point being, apply the rule of KISS and don't overthink suspension upgrades.

[Gene1949]

One other thing;
Setting the toe.
A lot of curvy mountain roads 0" to 1/8" toe out. But makes the car a little "twitchy" (technical term) [having to drive the car vs pointing it]
Straight stretches' like we have here in Nevada 1/8-1/4" toe in. Gives you the ability to "point" the car.

Hope this helps. Suspension is like the great oil debates we have here every so often

[tubman]

Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)

There is currently a thread on the H.A.M.B. about swapping suspension uprights on a shoebox to lower it, which includes a good video. It includes a section about the Shoebox Central kit. According to those who have done this, the kit is essential and makes this a practical modification. Once you understand how it works, I believe it would be possible for any reasonably skilled person to make their own.

[Shoebox]

Denny,
I jumped over to the H.A.M.B. and did a quick search on Shoebox Suspension, found a lot of stuff to read,.... but not finding what you mention, maybe a link? Thanks!

[tubman]

Try this : https://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/...-hack.1214369/.

Actually, now that I think about it, the pictures in the "Shoebox Central" online catalog were quite informative.

[Alberta50fordor]

So is there a consensus against the steering upgrade kit ? was thinking of getting it for my fordor and using the steering parts for the woodie but if it doesn't make enough of a difference i don't want to piss away 500 bucks lol
Been trying to figure out what sway bar i can use off a later model car instead of using their kit as well
also noticed on my 51 woodie that the sway bar is thicker, was that a 51 thing or a wagon thing?

[wga]

Ref: stock 49 woodie
Just finished the rebuild of the front suspension, steering upgrade kit installed from Jamco,
rear suspension, new Bilstein shocks front and rear, replaced body mounts.
The front suspension parts I purchased were all made in china, and the suppliers have all the same parts to sell. Quality is OK, compared to 73 year old Ford parts.

I ordered new stock replacement springs from Eaton Detroit and they are not a replacement to the stock Ford springs, took them out, re installed my 73 year old springs. Should have used the Aerostar springs.

Installing all those rubber parts is a real pain.

With the quality of parts available and the hassle factor, I now understand why installing
a Fatman suspension kit is a good option.

I'm a few days from getting it on the road to test drive it and see if the steering kit from Jamco (same as Shoebox Central) improved the steering. Need to install the sway bar.

Alberta 50, seriously consider using the Fatman front clip, it is a modern IFS with improved brakes, etc. If I knew last year what I know now...

[19Fordy]

The ad says it's no longer available.

[Shoebox]

Originally Posted by 19Fordy

The ad says it's no longer available.

As I understand it, Shoebox Central is NOT SELLING the Jamco Upgrade Kit because of issue(s) they had installing it on their test bed car, of which they shared with Jamco. Would be good to hear from previous poster how his install went.

[petehoovie]

Originally Posted by Shoebox

I went, I saw, I bought the T shirt

[Newc]

The '52/53 Wagons had the bigger sway bar 3/4" ? Also Police option. Put one in a '53. The wagon rubber blocks are not available so I froze the car ones and bored them out. Helped a lot on that '53. Should fit '49 up. Newc

[Shoebox]

Originally Posted by petehoovie

Yep, got that one

[wga]

Shoebox, did you see this:

https://bringatrailer.com/listing/1949-ford-custom-23/

[Shoebox]

Originally Posted by wga

Shoebox, did you see this:

https://bringatrailer.com/listing/1949-ford-custom-23/

Someone got a GREAT buy on that car.

[jackson]

Not sure how useful this will be, given the elapsed time.... about 8 years ago I ordered and installed the Jamco front end upgrade (ball joints, disk brakes) and Fatman steering and sway bar, for my '50 Merc. It was a relatively easy install, and I've been really happy with the results. I had a local tire shop allign the front end using Jamco's setting tips, and tire wear has been even. Main reason I bought this setup was to get disk brakes on the front for my big 'ole heavy Mercury. (at the time, Jamco used Ford Torino spindles and brakes). The only issue is that I have different bolt patterns front and rear... so I carry a single spare with a spacer I can use to accomodate the 'odd" bolt pattern.