'47-'55 leaf springs

[Coach529]

Henry is back on the road with his new SBC.....now it is time to freshen up that suspension.

My old leaf springs are sacked out and shot.

What is the best (Cheapest??) source for replacement springs, shackles, etc?

[NEWFISHER]

Cheapest....find the 2 you are missing in each pack, take the packs apart and mark eacheaf at 2" increments. Place the marks between a couple 4x4s at a press and re arch them yourself. Jim Carter is who supplied me with reman springs for the burb.

[Coach529]

Originally Posted by NEWFISHER

Cheapest....find the 2 you are missing in each pack, take the packs apart and mark eacheaf at 2" increments. Place the marks between a couple 4x4s at a press and re arch them yourself. Jim Carter is who supplied me with reman springs for the burb.

The two that I took out are long gone I am afraid. Think they got scrapped when I cleaned out the old garage.

http://www.generalspringkc.com/product_p/22-184.htm

[NEWFISHER]

Following the link, for $114 I would buy those in a heartbeat.

[mr48chev]

That does seem like a pretty good price. I need a set of the shackles they show but will have to research that a bit.

[Dan in Pasadena]

That link gets my attention. I notice they lump '47-'55 together and '56-'59 together and that the dimensions provided are different for the two.

Does anyone know of certain which of the two groups the springs in my '55.2 belong in?

If I stay with straight axle the options are:

1. Use a dropped axle
2. Use lowering springs.

It's my understanding (maybe incorrectly) that using the two together is not recommended(?) i.e. bump steer issues arise needing pitman arm and/or drag link mods. I confess my ignorance I don't know the terms for which part.

My right front spring pack is missing a leaf and I don't know if:
1. The entire pack was swapped out of some other vehicle over the decades
2. There was a broken leaf so it was just pulled
3. Pulling a leaf was an attempt to compensate for a drooping left side?

Added to all that is every other place than this place asks about $400 for springs whether stock or 3" lower. Even Posies Super Sliders (my #1 choice IF I stay stock-ish) are the same $400. Opinions appreciated.

[NEWFISHER]

Dan, fly up and you can drive the Sub for a weekend. It has all new components ( 20k ago) and drives great. No need for powersteeering etc. I'll leave the hitch in and you can tow my boat to the lake

[Dan in Pasadena]

Ha ha, thanks so munch for the offer, Fish!

I have of doubt at all these trucks drove away better when new than they do now. And of course how "bad" could it have been if they still sell straight axle big Ford trucks for example; albeit with power steering?

My truck doesn't drive horrible but driving in a straight line is approximate. I'm steering between 10 o'clock and 2 o'clock to go straight! It brakes straight unless I truly have to stand on it then it pulls fairly hard right. Fixable with adjustment no doubt but still it does do it. Having a different number of leafs on one side than the other is clearly a giant eff up that must be addressed. And frankly, in (I assume) the closer quarters of suburbia down here, I actually do think power steering is necessary. Just backing out of my driveway requires a three point turn!

[NEWFISHER]

Steering geometry and axle caster angle play a huge roll in "power steering". After the 4" drop axle including all of Sid's arms, new style tie rods, Timkin roller bearings and 6 degree shims under the new leaf packs it steers great, rides great and fools many guys that ask if I did the Mustang conversion myself.

[Dan in Pasadena]

Fish,
Other than the 4" drop axle, was everything else stock (new type tie rods excepted, of course) and bolt on? I guess I'm asking if I can do this myself alone with a bunch of parts Sid would provide as long as I don't have to heat & bend parts.

I've also read that if you grind the leading edge of each leaf to let them slide against each other easier AND use grease or the Teflon stuff plus gas shocks the whole thing rides dramatically smoother. Did you do any of that stuff?

[Coach529]

I had the perfect opportunity to convert to PS when I did my motor swap and I decided against it.

My steering is a 1 hand ordeal most of the time.

[NEWFISHER]

Originally Posted by Dan in Pasadena

Fish,
Other than the 4" drop axle, was everything else stock (new type tie rods excepted, of course) and bolt on? I guess I'm asking if I can do this myself alone with a bunch of parts Sid would provide as long as I don't have to heat & bend parts.

I've also read that if you grind the leading edge of each leaf to let them slide against each other easier AND use grease or the Teflon stuff plus gas shocks the whole thing rides dramatically smoother. Did you do any of that stuff?

It's a Saturday swap. All of Sid's stuff is already modified and just bolts together. Check toe in when you are done and drive it. Easy peasy

[Dan in Pasadena]

Originally Posted by NEWFISHER

It's a Saturday swap. All of Sid's stuff is already modified and just bolts together. Check toe in when you are done and drive it. Easy peasy

Now THAT if friggin awesome to hear!

[NEWFISHER]

Leave Friday after work, stay in Sac. Get to my house at noon on Sat. We get it done before dinner at Outback and you leave Sunday morning and one shot it home.

[Dan in Pasadena]

Wow, that's QUITE an offer! I'm sorely tempted to take you up on it later this summer.

What city in Oregon? I'm not sure I think my truck would make it that far reliably. Mostly my concern is the ball bearing front wheel bearings (I've not pulled them to make sure) but I THINK that's what's there. The other concern is my tranny. But I can verify/correct either or both of those between now and a month or two. The other option is I can trailer it up behind my Dually, no problem. Doing it that way I'd feel comfortable taking time to stop off at family members home in San Luis Obispo and in Auburn on either leg of the trip.

Let me know if this is an accurate list:

Sid's axle $400
Sid's other parts $200, more??
New stock front leaf springs $400
Modern tie rods $50
Gas shocks $200

Does $1250 sounds about right?

[Daze57]

HEY DAN !!!!!

If you have the ability to tow it - i say go for it !!!!!!!!!!!!
Newfisher sounds like he has a good plan
p.s dont forget $$ for outback !

my 02cents worth.

[NEWFISHER]

The Timkin taper bearings is such a huge upgrade in driveability that words can not describe this single most important upgrade on an older ball bearing front end. For those reading this will balls (pun intended) , your next click of your mouse should be to find them and order them. You will wonder why you hadnt done this before!

Sounds like a good list. I have ordered spindle to spindle from Sid. Payed to have reman spindles set up with kingpins, bearings etc installed and shipped with everything but the kitchen sink. It sounds like alot buy what it makes up for in driveability on an older truck is priceless.

[Dan in Pasadena]

Originally Posted by NEWFISHER

....I have ordered spindle to spindle from Sid. Paid to have reman spindles set up with kingpins, bearings etc installed and shipped with everything but the kitchen sink...

This is what I'd do too if I go this route.

No half measures, no trying to figure out who I can rely on to ream the kingpin bushings, etc. I've no doubt there are shops in Metro L.A. Who know how, but how to find that shop? I'd rather have Sid; who does them constantly, do them and know they're done properly.

I'll call Sid Monday or Tuesday and get a quote including shipping which has GOT to be substantial for this heavy stuff. Question: Does Sid clean up the parts by blasting or something? Or will I have to do that before sending him the axle, etc?

[NEWFISHER]

I presure washed mine and other cores i have found and shipped him. His come to you looking new. Top notch guy with top notch parts.

[Sethmark]

I have a set of nearly new stock replacement rear springs. Hit me up on pm if you want them cheap.

[Dan in Pasadena]

Great offer Seth but I need replacement front springs. I've got a mismatched set up the re for some reason. Plus, shipping from SC to SoCal would have to be punitive I think. Thanks again for the offer though! Best, Dan

[Coach529]

Originally Posted by Sethmark

I have a set of nearly new stock replacement rear springs. Hit me up on pm if you want them cheap.

I have S-10 springs in the back.........otherwise I would be all over this. Thanks for the offer though!