Front tube shocks 40 deluxe car

S

svmsr1044

Senior Member
Apparently, there is no commercially available front tube shock conversion kit for a 40 Ford car that is compatible with the front stabilizer bar; yet, some of you have successfully done this conversion. What has your solution been?

Thanks,
Steve
 
Do a search on Swap meet parts for sale using the term tube shock kit.
look here:
https://www.fordbarn.com/forum/search.php?searchid=24009774
There was a company that made a front tube conversion shock kit for 40 Fords with sway bars back in the 60's. They sometimes come up for sale on Ebay. If you have the materials, tools and time you could make your own kit. I made the lower shock mount tapered shock bolt that fits the perch bolt on a lathe.
I bet this could be modified to fit?
https://cgfordparts.com/ufolder/fordpart.php?number=11A-18124-KIT

Here's an interesting read.
https://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/threads/front-tube-shocks-for-1940-ford.940782/#post-10586451
 

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Ive got a set of those . I doubt ill be using them . Pm me . Maybe 2 sets come to think of it .
 
Thought about tube shocks to replace the worn Houdaille units on the front of my '41. As you have learned, it is not easy. I was certainly not willing to give up the front sway bar. In the end I decided it was best to just have Andy Falandes rebuild the original shocks.
That did not take long, was not that expensive, and the shocks work great. Ride and handling improved.
 
drolsten makes a good point, especially if you don't already have the sway bar perch bolts
already installed as you then have to remove the entire front suspension and axle.
 
19Fordy said:
drolsten makes a good point, especially if you don't already have the sway bar perch bolts
already installed as you then have to remove the entire front suspension and axle.
Click to expand...

Same here I bought a set of front conversion mounts for my ‘41 but ended up having Andy rebuild all my shocks front and rear.
 
If you get in trouble the lower shock mount bolt can be fabbed from a motor or gearbox mount bolt.

You'll need to cut the head off the bolt (and some of the shaft) and weld a thick retaining washer in place of the bolt head. You can't just space out the mount bolt for the shocks, it is too long and will interfere with the chassis through its travel.

From memory (I might be wrong here - you better check), you need about 37mm of shaft (just enough) to allow for correct compression of the shock bushes when you bolt up to the perch. This may also depend on the shocks you use.
 
i had a 41 ford couple and replaced the original shocks with a NOS monroe tube shock kit i think it was a waste of time as the original gave a better ride
 
If you have a lathe you can turn down a 5/8 in. dia. Rockford Grade 8 bolt for the lower front tube shock mount.
I did not cut off the head of the bolt but, added a washer for the shock. First, practice cutting the taper on a a scrap piece of aluminum to check the fit before turning the taper on your bolt.
I made it longer than stock so I could double nut it. Works fine, Here's some photos.
Last photo shows the Ford OEM shock mount bolt. Hope this helps someone.
PS: I realize the sketch dimensions do not meet today's ASTME Standards.
 

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I put the same kit on my '40 as pictured above and it works fine with the sway bar. I got lucky and found a set at a swap meet that still had the crusty shocks with the tapered lower bolt in them. The upper brackets come up for sale all of the time. It would be easy enough to make the lower bolt or come up with some kind of shim or bushing with a regular bolt.
 
V8: THANK YOU for letting me know about the taper angle.
I made it so long ago that I forgot.

You sure have neat little pieces of tech. info stuffed in your brain that you willingly share.
"Thank goodness"
 
Thank you so much! You guys are amazing, you have a wealth of experience and information, and you are willing to share it!

Thanks again,
Steve
 
19Fordy said:
V8: THANK YOU for letting me know about the taper angle.
I made it so long ago that I forgot.

You sure have neat little pieces of tech. info stuffed in your brain that you willingly share.
"Thank goodness"
Click to expand...


That's funny, 'cuz I REALLY make-up most of that stuff! Now, back to our regularly-scheduled programming. DD
 
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