36' pickup suspension

banjoQ

banjoQ

Senior Member
My 36' pick up came to me without any shock absorbers in place. Now that I have it running and stopping i am looking at my next project. First, let me say that my truck is not as Henry built it. It was assembled in the wrecking yards in S.F. in 50'. Were shocks fitted from the factory or an option? Possibly they were left off during the street build. The person who built it is not here to ask. Currently the truck rides on the leaf springs. This is kind of tolerable until you get up to 35-40mph. Would shocks help and can they be fitted. I am pretty sure I have a 36' front axle. I have seen shock kits from C&G for these applications. This could be a good winter project. Thanks in advance.
 
If you are not worried about being stock I would go with the tube shock kits. Shocks were fitted to all new Fords when they left the factory.
 
TJ- it's too late to worry about being stock. This truck was thrown together to be a work truck on the cheap. Built houses, places up to the country and went on deer hunts for fun. For me, It's about function. Going to have to spend a few minutes underneath and size this job up. I am not expecting miracles, just a little smoother ride. I just was not sure if these were a luxury option for trucks or just another example of shade tree mechanics. The guys that threw this one together probably saw them as being optional. I think they will be good for the ride when I can get them in.
 
I'll take a pic and post up how my '36 was...used a short-looking F1 shock mount and tube shock on the front.

My rear was a '55 Chevy car at the time and used the '55 shock mounted to the rear crossmember...but can't get pics of that..are you still running the torque tube rear, or open drive?
 
Mike B - I would appreciate any photos I could get. Yes, I am using the original torque tube with a banjo rear end. The truck has the 4:11s out back. Because of it's origins, I have to do lot's of research before I can begin to work on anything. The truck has juice brakes fitted, around 40' equipment. An 8BA flathead, 50' I believe. Steering gear is out of a 40' or later column shift car. A 39' top loader trans, A 37' cab, because it just looked better. I tend to think of this truck as more of a Folk art thing than an true early Ford.
But getting back to the shocks, I would really benefit from seeing either photos or diagrams to get an idea of what I am trying to replicate. Again, I am pretty sure the front and rear axles are both 36". Frame is a 36 also. Any books or reference guides you could think of would be helpful too. Thanks
 
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The phrase "rides like a lumber truck" comes to mind. Tube shocks would probaby be the cheapest route. But that is without knowing the condition of the transverse springs and the rest of the pieces. Remember it is a 30s truck and probably a huge upgrade from the previous options.
 
Here is a picture of the front shock on my '36 pickup. They work well and really improved how the old truck drives. Hope this helps.

Bill

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I totally understand the limitations of what I am working with. This is actually what has drawn me in. I have to believe that the addition of tube shocks would smooth out the action of the leaf springs. Not expecting much more. I would be happy with it just the way it sits. I have had quite a lot of fun getting it back to this point. No one thought that this truck would run again. I would not hesitate to drive that "lumber truck" to Sacramento if someone wanted to go. Let's see, at 45mph that would take about 3 and a half hours!
36' Bill- I am afraid I could not view your photo, no attachment. Please try again if you can. Thanks
 
before I replaced the spring shackles in my pickup, when you step on the rear bumper it would not move that much. when I replaced the shackles I took the spring apart and sanded the leaves with a flap wheel and ground the leaves back so they ride in a new spot. after 77 years they dig into each other and done move any more. after I put it back together the spring had movement in it . I bet that is one thing wrong with your pickup. I also did the same thing with the front spring. man what a differents
 
Pete & Jakes or any of the other hotrod stuff around and convert to tube shocks, Both front and rear can be bolt on stuff now...
 
If you clean and lube your springs you will for sure need shocks , it will give the vehicle bounce and axle tramp .Un lubed rusty springs act as a dampening affect ,
 
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banjoQ said:
I totally understand the limitations of what I am working with. This is actually what has drawn me in. I have to believe that the addition of tube shocks would smooth out the action of the leaf springs. Not expecting much more. I would be happy with it just the way it sits. I have had quite a lot of fun getting it back to this point. No one thought that this truck would run again. I would not hesitate to drive that "lumber truck" to Sacramento if someone wanted to go. Let's see, at 45mph that would take about 3 and a half hours!
36' Bill- I am afraid I could not view your photo, no attachment. Please try again if you can. Thanks
Click to expand...


Here ya go..........Ed




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BanjoQ, I put a couple more pictures on my album. You should be able to view them all there. I didn't expect miracles when I got the shocks fixed on my pu but it was a miracle, it the handling and steering that it is hard to believe that I put up with no shocks.

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Bill
 
If you are not hauling big loads and want a better ride remove the springs and do as Brendan suggests. Make the front spring a 9 leaf and the rear a 10 leaf. I clean the spring leafs, taper the edges where the contact the next leaf and paint them with rattle can paint. I then use the lipped Teflon spring liner. Doing that and adding tube shocks should get you a much better ride.
 
Above mention makes a lot of sense. My 38 had 18 spring pack in the back and could have hailed 2000lds and not flinced. I put in a posie reverse eye and a drop axle up front. The og shocks were rebuilt and it does ride very nice. But all this will change soon i have a feeling.

Every part needs to be addressed for a smooth ride. How are the kingpins, shackle bushings, rod ends?

A stife ride is a good sign of a possible tight system. Ill add, be cause you mentioed it, drivablilty might be better recieved with a gear change and a bushing inspection and replacement. You mentioned 411s and a 45 mph issue... Isnt this fun! Yes it is!!

Cool truck and enjoy!
 
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Sorry i have not got replied, lost my net connection for a couple of days. Thanks for the information. I will be back under the truck tomorrow. I assume that the shocks Bill has mounted are original equipment? What are these called and are they still available? I must admit that I work on a budget and need not stick to originals. Am guessing that a tube shock conversion might be easier on the wallet? Maybe not. This truck was stored for 50 yrs. The underneath is a bit crusty but not beat. Kingpins are OK. bushings could be worse. Drives pretty well down the road without wandering. A friend with experience in old Fords was impressed with the way it drove. I will look into this for the coming months and see what I can pull together. Thanks for the photos Bill, very helpful.
 
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