1953 F-100

[casey55wa]

Great info to stumble upon, was thinking the same about my '55.

 

[Spike]

F-100 redo thoughts

I'm back, I've been kicking some ideas around using parts from Night Prowlers, & Speedway plus good local talent. Do you guys have any good ideas or suggestions ?
I'm thinking about: (4)-48 Chevy taillights in a roll pan, sunken license, that folds down for access to the trailer hitch. Also, a pair of "S" shaped vertical nerf bars.
Headlights to be individual "deitz" style with a pair of horizontal bars as a grille. I'm thinking about painting the mouth (?) flat black, & placing amber turn signals behind the grille hopefully visible only when on.
Cleaning off the hood ornaments & badges.
De-handling the doors using solenoids, etc.
Changing the rear springs for a set from a Dodge Caravan.
Maybe frenching in an electric antenna.
Thinking about a different front bumper.
Tinted glass (since what I have is cracked or broken).
A 5 gauge panel, AC, and a stereo.
Paint will start out as primer Then hopefully Silver with Raspberry flames.
What do you think? Spike

 

[bobf100]

I'm back, I've been kicking some ideas around using parts from Night Prowlers, & Speedway plus good local talent. Do you guys have any good ideas or suggestions ?
I'm thinking about: (4)-48 Chevy taillights in a roll pan, sunken license, that folds down for access to the trailer hitch. Also, a pair of "S" shaped vertical nerf bars.
Headlights to be individual "deitz" style with a pair of horizontal bars as a grille. I'm thinking about painting the mouth (?) flat black, & placing amber turn signals behind the grille hopefully visible only when on.
Cleaning off the hood ornaments & badges.
De-handling the doors using solenoids, etc.
Changing the rear springs for a set from a Dodge Caravan.
Maybe frenching in an electric antenna.
Thinking about a different front bumper.
Tinted glass (since what I have is cracked or broken).
A 5 gauge panel, AC, and a stereo.
Paint will start out as primer Then hopefully Silver with Raspberry flames.
What do you think? Spike

Spike - sounds very cool. I was curious why you would go to Dodge Caravan springs? Never heard of that so I'm interested in what the change will do for you (I'm always wanting to learn new things). As to the de-handling the doors and using solenoids - I decided to go a different route with mine. I sandblasted the handles then painted them the body color. They blend in nicely and are somewhat invisible. Can't wait to see all the mods. Post some pictures while you're doing them.

 

[Spike]

I'm back

Spike - sounds very cool. I was curious why you would go to Dodge Caravan springs? Never heard of that so I'm interested in what the change will do for you (I'm always wanting to learn new things). As to the de-handling the doors and using solenoids - I decided to go a different route with mine. I sandblasted the handles then painted them the body color. They blend in nicely and are somewhat invisible. Can't wait to see all the mods. Post some pictures while you're doing them.

I nearly 'hit the roof' (no kidding). On a bump I left the seat entirely. I had the Volare front susp. in it and was lulled into thinking how nice a ride it had, THEN WHAM!! the rear hit the bump and I thought I was parasailing (snicker)
I was told/read that they (the Dodge springs) were adaptable & softer than the stock F-100 Also they unbolt, complete from the minivan. All that is needed is some plates welded to the Ford, drilled, then "bolt on" (also adding spring saddles to the RA). I'm not (so) gullible that I believe it is that simple but, I think it's "doable" without a lot of work. I'll try to take a picture later showing the mount brackets.
I'll take pictures as things happen. I'm having the dragster chassis repaired first. Spike Sometimes I feel like this is happening, maybe I'm hitting a wall. Later

 

[MikeB]

Spike,
Before you go the the trouble of installing other springs you might try taking a leaf or two out of the rear springs. Removing one or two short ones (load leafs) lower the rear and will give you a smoother ride but it will reduce your load carrying capacity. While you have the spring apart do a little work on the leafs. Grind smooth the divot caused by the edge of the leaf digging into the leaf above. Also round/bevel the top edges of the ends of the leafs so they slide without catching on the leaf above. When you reassemble make sure the surfaces are clean and smooth.

 

[bobf100]

Spike,
Before you go the the trouble of installing other springs you might try taking a leaf or two out of the rear springs. Removing one or two short ones (load leafs) lower the rear and will give you a smoother ride but it will reduce your load carrying capacity. While you have the spring apart do a little work on the leafs. Grind smooth the divot caused by the edge of the leaf digging into the leaf above. Also round/bevel the top edges of the ends of the leafs so they slide without catching on the leaf above. When you reassemble make sure the surfaces are clean and smooth.

I've done the same thing on some of my past rides - it works well and improves the ride. I've also added poly strips between the leaves which allows them to slide much better as the suspension works.

 

[Spike]

I've done the same thing on some of my past rides - it works well and improves the ride. I've also added poly strips between the leaves which allows them to slide much better as the suspension works.

I can do that. Also remove a intermediate leaf ?? Then (or) maybe , install regular Airlift bags for stiffening 4 xtra weight handling.
Since I'm thinking Air bags, How about Just 1 leaf per side and an airbag added.
Since I won't want to make the truck "dance or hop!!! I really won't need much of a tank or compressor. Or any compressor, just air up at home.
This truck won't be pulling anything heavier than my dragster plus a few tools.
The loaded trailer weighs 2000#.
How is this for "going around the bend"? Spike

 

[Spike]

Spike's suspension or F-100 bounce

I can do that. Also remove a intermediate leaf ?? Then (or) maybe , install regular Airlift bags for stiffening 4 xtra weight handling.
Since I'm thinking Air bags, How about Just 1 leaf per side and an airbag added.
Since I won't want to make the truck "dance or hop!!! I really won't need much of a tank or compressor. Or any compressor, just air up at home.
This truck won't be pulling anything heavier than my dragster plus a few tools.
The loaded trailer weighs 2000#.
How is this for "going around the bend"? Spike

I am looking at suggestions for my rear suspension. I like the idea of spring bushings and removing two short leaves? I think I heard about removing "every other one" or something similar. My truck has either 7 or 9 leaves It's really stiff. That's why the removal of several leaves sounded reasonable.
I was at a car show awhile back and was shown a airbag setup that used a connector that bolted at the axle/spring pad and the front spring mount. The airbag mounted just in front of the axle. They said it could be run W/WO a compressor & air tank. Of course that starts getting expensive.
My real consideration is that both my wife & myself have very bad backs and need soft suspension. That's why I want it soft (empty) then maybe, the old standby, Air Shocks. Any ideas? Spike

 

[bobf100]

I am looking at suggestions for my rear suspension. I like the idea of spring bushings and removing two short leaves? I think I heard about removing "every other one" or something similar. My truck has either 7 or 9 leaves It's really stiff. That's why the removal of several leaves sounded reasonable.
I was at a car show awhile back and was shown a airbag setup that used a connector that bolted at the axle/spring pad and the front spring mount. The airbag mounted just in front of the axle. They said it could be run W/WO a compressor & air tank. Of course that starts getting expensive.
My real consideration is that both my wife & myself have very bad backs and need soft suspension. That's why I want it soft (empty) then maybe, the old standby, Air Shocks. Any ideas? Spike

I think you're on to a good idea. Why don't you try to remove a couple of the spring leaves then see if you like the new ride height and how soft the ride is. Other than a some labor involved with removing the springs it isn't going to cost you anything so it's worth a try. If it's not what you want you can always put them back and nothing is lost. MikeB suggestion about cleaning up each spring will also help with the ride as it will help the springs leaves slide better against each other. After 50 years they probably have some deep ridges and gouges in them from rubbing together. I'm thinking the air shocks might not soften the ride all that much.

 

[Spike]

F-100 suspension

I'll try it. Like you say removing the leaves wll only cost labor. I did that with a Model "A" coupe, years ago and ground the edges of the springs, adding 'polyprophylene' strips between leaves and removed three leaves. It actually rode pretty well.
I was thinking that the Air Shocks won't help make it ride softer but, they should help stiffen it when pulling my trailer then "air down' the shocks to do normal driving. I'll let you all know how it turns out. Spike

 

[Brian_B]

I lowered mine for a couple of weeks with the remove a couple of leaves thing. It did not take me long to return it to stock height. I drive it like a truck and sitting that low (in the front)...meant dragging around here.

It did soften up the ride.

What helped mine most (remember it is stock) was the poly-liners from Mid-fifty and good shocks (monroe).

I drove mine around 10 hours this weekend (to MO, Ok, and back) and I drove it to work and back today (1 hour each way). Mine does not sit a lot.

 

[Spike]

Spike's F-100

Sorry, no new news. I wanted to let you all know that I've been out looking at/for parts. I will be pulling a 302/trans from an 81 Lincoln Continental. Those words used to mean a lot. Back when a "Continental" was a "snazzy" car. Can I say "snazzy" w/o dating myself?
Anyway, it is a complete car and I think I will use the engine & trans in my truck and the rear axle will go under my 49 sedan.
I received my catalog from 'Nifty Fifty's or ??? I am startled by whatall they have for sale. I'm amused by their comments on quality when something isn't up to 'snuff'. I agree it IS a great catalog.
I went to two "car" meets locally and was disappointed at the lack of vendors. catering to the hobby. I may have gotten a couple of good vendor names. One is Night Prowlers from Lamar, MO. BTW, if you type wrong be careful! you will go to a 'porno' address!! Be sure to use the word "the" in "THE" address. I didn't & discovered my mistake Later Spike

 

[Brian_B]

Yeah...at the smaller meets and even larger (non effie specific) there is not much in the way of vendors for ours.

I order almost everything for mine.

If you can attend the "Ozarks Run" in branson next july (sponsored by my truck club) they have dennis carpenter and Mid-Fifty both there along with some smaller vendors.

I do not think the clubs site has next years info posted yet, but I will look when I get home tonight (tomorrow). If it is, I will try to link you to it.

I am going to the fall swap meet at Petit Jean Mountain this weekend. I doubt I find any effie parts, but maybe some larger ford car parts that I need. We will see.

Later,
Brian

 

[BKW]

Sorry, no new news. I wanted to let you all know that I've been out looking at/for parts. I will be pulling a 302/trans from an 81 Lincoln Continental.

Are you sure it's a 302?

The 1980/81 Lincoln Town Cars & 1980/81 Mark VI's came with either a 302 or a 351W.

The A/T is the gawd awful first version of the AOD.

 

[casey55wa]

We used to have an '81 with the 351W...but there were very few of them, most were a 302.

 

[Spike]

Lincoln engine Qs

Are you sure it's a 302?

The 1980/81 Lincoln Town Cars & 1980/81 Mark VI's came with either a 302 or a 351W.

The A/T is the gawd awful first version of the AOD.

I don't know, it looks small enough to be a 302. I know it's a TBI. That will change.
Is it a terrible trans? Is it possible to make it right? Is it worth the cost ?
If it's a "dead Horse" Maybe I should use a regular C4 ! The trans worked, but it leaks at the front seal. Is that a part of the problem.
BTW, is the rear axle a 8.8 or a 9" ?
I do have a lot to learn. Spike

 

[Spike]

302

Are you sure it's a 302?

The 1980/81 Lincoln Town Cars & 1980/81 Mark VI's came with either a 302 or a 351W.

The A/T is the gawd awful first version of the AOD.

It looks to be very little short, Narrow, & not tall. I will wait to take a head off & look (using my yardstick) I'll measure it. Spike

 

[daddyjake707]

wow i just finally read this post and i already learned a lot to use for my 55 now im stuck at work and want to leave early to get elbow deep in the truck haha
im curious tho i am planning on doing a IRS system for the rear wouldnt that be a real smooth ride or is that not a good option to go with??