The Ford Barn

olguy · 03-11-2021, 11:29 AM

Hi, I'm trying to bring my newly acquired '41 sedan a little lower to the ground without affecting the ride or basic handling characteristics. Thought I could
kill two birds with one stone if I replaced the front and rear springs with Posies 2"dropped springs while I replace the shackles and bushings. I'm aware of dropped axles and lowering blocks, but don't want the work involved with such modifications. Just want to keep it simple, drop the car about 2" and possibly improve the ride.
Bad idea???
Thanks for any inputs,
Tony

JSeery · 03-11-2021, 11:32 AM

Longer spring shackles also work.

pistonbroke · 03-11-2021, 01:21 PM

I'm going with reverse eye main leaf up front and a pair of longer shackles with a panhard bar to stop the swing in the rear on my 41 pickup. A couple of guys have said posies spring don't always drop the car as much as advertised do to old spring sag/wear. That is why I'm just changing my main leaf to reverse the eyes. I should get about two inches drop from that in the front and by increasing my shackle length by in the rear this towering pickup should come down to earth. Best of luck on your sedan. Tim

drolston · 03-11-2021, 02:06 PM

Reference this thread.

https://www.fordbarn.com/forum/showt...light=drolston

Beware that 1941 was a unique transition year for the front suspension. Neither of the two Posies springs are exactly correct. I had to fab longer shackles to get the shackle angle right. Which is important for handling.

drolston · 03-11-2021, 02:08 PM

Also check this thread. More detail on Posies.

https://www.fordbarn.com/forum/showt...ghlight=posies

fordor41 · 03-11-2021, 11:52 PM

Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)

on my '41 fordor front, I installed a reversed eye main and removed various leaves and ended up with every other leaf removed. had to play with shock adjustment. tried with and without panhard bar and ended up without, gave the best ride. if you check the '41 roll bar , the way it attaches to the axle, it act like a panhard bar. I believe that between the roll bar and panhard, the two were fighting each other. tried tube shocks and stock shocks gave the the best ride

Tinker · 03-11-2021, 11:59 PM

On the front I'd consider a drop axle over all other options. It does involve, maybe messing with your steering arm and track bar. If you reverse the eye of the current spring you might get there. But if you buy a new reverse eye it probably has more arch then your current old spring. Think I got about the same with my 38 on the rear, added 2" drop shackles also. Great tight spring though. For the rear you can just use some lowering shackles.

Who knew 2" is such a pain and requires so much work. It's easier just to leave it alone and be happy you have some room to roll under it to change the oil.

Maybe some rear shackles and a some rear fender skirts. Mild tail dragger vibe.

.

fortyonerag · 03-12-2021, 06:24 AM

You can lower the back with longer shackles, but it will be at the expense of handling.

Without a track bar in the rear, longer shackles will give you handling like a labrador on linoleum. Ask how I know. On my 41 I wound up de-arching the rear spring and reversing the eyes for a 3 - 4 " drop. This way I kept close to stock handling with the drop I wanted.

I'm running 6.50 X 16's. Only slightly bigger than stock, but on the front there is not a lot of fender clearance. If you plan lower the front a lot keep this in mind.

TJ · 03-12-2021, 09:26 AM

i would also dearch the springs.

Topher5150 · 03-12-2021, 11:21 AM

This is my 47 I had the main leaf reversed and flattened, shackles and I took out a few of the top leafs

hombres ruin · 03-13-2021, 12:56 AM

Absolutely beautiful ride

Tinker · 03-13-2021, 01:26 AM

It seems like you don't see a lot fatfender coupes around. Low production numbers or something. Hombres yours has always been a favorite of mine for a long time. Never had the pleasure of seeing it in person however.

V8COOPMAN · 03-13-2021, 01:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tinker

It seems like you don't see a lot fatfender coupes around. Low production numbers or something.

Here's where all of your fat-fendered coupes went.....EVERY Saturday nite across America, one by one....GONE! DD

fortyonerag · 03-13-2021, 07:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tinker

It seems like you don't see a lot fatfender coupes around. Low production numbers or something. Hombres yours has always been a favorite of mine for a long time. Never had the pleasure of seeing it in person however.

A fave of mine also.

olguy · 03-17-2021, 11:24 AM

Once again, thanks to all who responded to my query. I will definitely consider all options...
Tony

hombres ruin · 05-21-2021, 12:02 AM

Thanks so much .. hope to show it to you some time

hombres ruin · 05-21-2021, 12:02 AM

�� thank you

hombres ruin · 05-21-2021, 12:03 AM

Much appreciated

03-11-2021, 11:29 AM	#1
olguy Junior Member Join Date: Aug 2017 Location: michigan Posts: 16	Mild lowering, 1941 Hi, I'm trying to bring my newly acquired '41 sedan a little lower to the ground without affecting the ride or basic handling characteristics. Thought I could kill two birds with one stone if I replaced the front and rear springs with Posies 2"dropped springs while I replace the shackles and bushings. I'm aware of dropped axles and lowering blocks, but don't want the work involved with such modifications. Just want to keep it simple, drop the car about 2" and possibly improve the ride. Bad idea??? Thanks for any inputs, Tony

03-11-2021, 11:32 AM	#2
JSeery Member Emeritus Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: Wichita KS Posts: 16,132	Re: Mild lowering, 1941 Longer spring shackles also work.

03-11-2021, 01:21 PM	#3
pistonbroke Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2021 Location: Perry Mo. Posts: 482	Re: Mild lowering, 1941 I'm going with reverse eye main leaf up front and a pair of longer shackles with a panhard bar to stop the swing in the rear on my 41 pickup. A couple of guys have said posies spring don't always drop the car as much as advertised do to old spring sag/wear. That is why I'm just changing my main leaf to reverse the eyes. I should get about two inches drop from that in the front and by increasing my shackle length by in the rear this towering pickup should come down to earth. Best of luck on your sedan. Tim

03-11-2021, 02:06 PM	#4
drolston Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2014 Location: Williamsburg, VA Posts: 1,627	Re: Mild lowering, 1941 Reference this thread. https://www.fordbarn.com/forum/showt...light=drolston Beware that 1941 was a unique transition year for the front suspension. Neither of the two Posies springs are exactly correct. I had to fab longer shackles to get the shackle angle right. Which is important for handling.

03-11-2021, 02:08 PM	#5
drolston Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2014 Location: Williamsburg, VA Posts: 1,627	Re: Mild lowering, 1941 Also check this thread. More detail on Posies. https://www.fordbarn.com/forum/showt...ghlight=posies

03-11-2021, 11:52 PM	#6
fordor41 Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: elmira,ny Posts: 1,517	Re: Mild lowering, 1941 Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) on my '41 fordor front, I installed a reversed eye main and removed various leaves and ended up with every other leaf removed. had to play with shock adjustment. tried with and without panhard bar and ended up without, gave the best ride. if you check the '41 roll bar , the way it attaches to the axle, it act like a panhard bar. I believe that between the roll bar and panhard, the two were fighting each other. tried tube shocks and stock shocks gave the the best ride

03-11-2021, 11:59 PM	#7
Tinker Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: MN Posts: 7,053	Re: Mild lowering, 1941 On the front I'd consider a drop axle over all other options. It does involve, maybe messing with your steering arm and track bar. If you reverse the eye of the current spring you might get there. But if you buy a new reverse eye it probably has more arch then your current old spring. Think I got about the same with my 38 on the rear, added 2" drop shackles also. Great tight spring though. For the rear you can just use some lowering shackles. Who knew 2" is such a pain and requires so much work. It's easier just to leave it alone and be happy you have some room to roll under it to change the oil. Maybe some rear shackles and a some rear fender skirts. Mild tail dragger vibe. . Last edited by Tinker; 03-12-2021 at 12:14 AM.

03-12-2021, 06:24 AM	#8
fortyonerag Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2016 Location: Melbourne Australia Posts: 541	Re: Mild lowering, 1941 You can lower the back with longer shackles, but it will be at the expense of handling. Without a track bar in the rear, longer shackles will give you handling like a labrador on linoleum. Ask how I know. On my 41 I wound up de-arching the rear spring and reversing the eyes for a 3 - 4 " drop. This way I kept close to stock handling with the drop I wanted. I'm running 6.50 X 16's. Only slightly bigger than stock, but on the front there is not a lot of fender clearance. If you plan lower the front a lot keep this in mind. Last edited by fortyonerag; 03-12-2021 at 10:49 PM.

03-12-2021, 09:26 AM	#9
TJ Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Napa,California Posts: 6,037	Re: Mild lowering, 1941 i would also dearch the springs.

03-13-2021, 12:56 AM	#11
hombres ruin Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: san diego Posts: 518	Re: Mild lowering, 1941 Absolutely beautiful ride __________________ "I have built my organisation on fear"..Al Capone.

03-13-2021, 01:26 AM	#12
Tinker Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: MN Posts: 7,053	Re: Mild lowering, 1941 It seems like you don't see a lot fatfender coupes around. Low production numbers or something. Hombres yours has always been a favorite of mine for a long time. Never had the pleasure of seeing it in person however. Last edited by Tinker; 03-13-2021 at 01:37 AM.

03-17-2021, 11:24 AM	#15
olguy Junior Member Join Date: Aug 2017 Location: michigan Posts: 16	Re: Mild lowering, 1941 Once again, thanks to all who responded to my query. I will definitely consider all options... Tony

05-21-2021, 12:02 AM	#16
hombres ruin Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: san diego Posts: 518	Re: Mild lowering, 1941 Thanks so much .. hope to show it to you some time __________________ "I have built my organisation on fear"..Al Capone.

05-21-2021, 12:02 AM	#17
hombres ruin Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: san diego Posts: 518	Re: Mild lowering, 1941 �� thank you __________________ "I have built my organisation on fear"..Al Capone.

05-21-2021, 12:03 AM	#18
hombres ruin Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: san diego Posts: 518	Re: Mild lowering, 1941 Much appreciated __________________ "I have built my organisation on fear"..Al Capone.