i recently bought a 39 deluxe 2 door sedan. it is on 6.50-16 tires and stock rims. it has 10 leaf springs in front and back. the suspension appears to be unmodified. i have about 1 inch space between top of tire and the rear fender opening if you are looking at this from low side view.. to me the car seems to be sitting to high. it is level front to rear. is this much space above tire seem normal to others who have a simillar car thanks randy
1939 ford ride height
- Thread starter randymo9
- Start date
Seth Swoboda
Well-known member
Seems like your car is sitting about right for stock suspension components. Your car most likely came from the factory with 6.00x16 tires. The 6.50x16 tires are just a little wider. If you want a cheap way to gain a little "rake" to your sedan get a reverse eye leaf spring for the front. It will lower the front about an inch or so. My 39 pickup sits level at stock ride height but with a reverse eye leaf spring on the front it gave it a little rake.
Last edited:
milesoftexas
Junior Member
My 39 Coupe Deluxe seems as you describe yours w/ same tires & springs set up as original.
Some side shots of mine are attached (I hope)
Some side shots of mine are attached (I hope)
Last edited:
Kube
Super Moderator
It may seem the car is sitting too high to you but when new, these cars did ride higher than what we are familiar with in modern rides. Most guys do little to restore their ride height properly. Most, at best, may clean and paint the separate leaves. That does nothing to restore the authentic height and does little to nothing to restore the engineered handling characteristics.
With correct NOS springs installed and 6:50 4-ply tires, the clearance to the edge of the fender is about 1 1/4". With 6:00's it is closer to 1 3/4". The 6:50 tires are not only wider, they are quite a bit taller.
If the fender is even with the top of the tire or below, the springs are shot.
With correct NOS springs installed and 6:50 4-ply tires, the clearance to the edge of the fender is about 1 1/4". With 6:00's it is closer to 1 3/4". The 6:50 tires are not only wider, they are quite a bit taller.
If the fender is even with the top of the tire or below, the springs are shot.
'36 5W
Senior Member
There was a good reason the original spring packs of the mid to late 30's cars contained
10-12 leaves, producing a truck-like ride; the roads were VERY rough! The majority of
secondary roads were either gravel or dirt. Pavement and concrete did not become common-place until the late '50's in many parts of the country.
For a slightly softer ride, consider removing at least two leaves from the top of the pack, and while you are at it, clean and inspect them for wear. Most took a good deal of abuse and should be replaced. "Tuning" these old buggy springs properly, can produce a more comfortable ride and give the slightly lower ride height you are looking for.....
10-12 leaves, producing a truck-like ride; the roads were VERY rough! The majority of
secondary roads were either gravel or dirt. Pavement and concrete did not become common-place until the late '50's in many parts of the country.
For a slightly softer ride, consider removing at least two leaves from the top of the pack, and while you are at it, clean and inspect them for wear. Most took a good deal of abuse and should be replaced. "Tuning" these old buggy springs properly, can produce a more comfortable ride and give the slightly lower ride height you are looking for.....