Shock options

[old46ford]

I am slowly getting my 46 ready to get back on the road after a 50 year sleep. The original lever shocks are shot... by that, I mean they are very stiff and you can push on the car and it will stay in one spot.

What are some less expensive options? The car won't be driven much once ready...

Can I just keep them in there and rely on the leaf springs? I know I can have them rebuilt, but that's expensive.

Are there options to put newer shock absorbers, preferably bolt on options.

Thanks

[revkev6]

I believe you can convert it to 48 deluxe shocks pretty easy. these are standard hydraulic shocks that you can get at any autoparts store. need to purchase the bolt on upper and lower mounts to go with it though

[old46ford]

Thanks!

[Kurt in NJ]

It could also be stiff springs, the spring centerbolt hasa lube fitting that looks like a grease fitting, it is for spring lube which is thin , grease clogs the passages, I made that mistake on my 46

[adileo]

I use John Deere corn grease on that.

[Cool Hand Lurker]

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Originally Posted by revkev6

I believe you can convert it to 48 deluxe shocks pretty easy. these are standard hydraulic shocks that you can get at any autoparts store. need to purchase the bolt on upper and lower mounts to go with it though

Can you tell us where to get the upper and lower mounts for this conversion?

I am going through the same project on my 47 Ford Coupe. I got tubular shocks from Rock Auto (www.rockauto.com) for about $17 each but haven't been able to find the adapters yet. Were these new mounts a stock part for the 1948 models?

[rotorwrench]

The mounts were used by FoMoCo for 47 & 48 model years as stock equipment plus there were more than a few aftermarket mounts that were offered with the new "aircraft shocks" of the era. I purchased one of these kits Off Flea-Pay a few years back.

[fordor41]

have you tried to adj. the shocks? there is an adjustment tab on the shaft, outboard of the shock arm. Mine were a bit stiff when I got it. Dumped the oil, refilled and backed the adj. off to the soft position and operated them clamped in a vise. Still on the car after 20 yrs or so.

[Kurt in NJ]

Originally Posted by adileo

I use John Deere corn grease on that.

Even that is too thick, Ford spring lube is 77%ice machine oil(about auto trans oil)the rest talc (dry lube and polishing)with a sprinkle of ground sabestos(use some graphite). Any grease will clog the passages in the spring and the lube won't reach the tips of the leaves, lack of lube makes the springs stick, when pushed down the car should rise back to same level if springs properly lubed--- makes a big difference in the ride

[Drbrown]

Stock late '47 had tub shocks on rear and former type on front. My '47 is so and came off the line about August. Bought an old conversion kit for front over at HAMB. I believe '48 was first year with tube type front and rear.

[slowforty]

Drake has a rear sway bar kit for Trans verse spring Fords. It is a good addition and has the rear shock tube conversion

[Old Henry]

C&G has both front and rear shock conversion kits here: http://cgfordparts.com/ufolder/cgcat...&searchnumber=

[TomT/Williamsburg]

The rear sway bar kit from Chassis Engineering is a great a

[TJ]

Check the swap meet section of this site. A guy on the swap meet sells the needed brackets for tube shocks. It's called "purehotrods"