39 pickup questions

JRHASZARD

JRHASZARD

Senior Member
Ready to begin assembly of the chassis and running gear for my 39 pickup. I have an engine rebuilt by Walt DuPont and want to get everything together. The frame is nicely painted and all the springs and brake plates etc. have been blasted and painted also. I was wondering about an ad I saw in a catalog, C&G or MAC's about needle bearings for the kingpins. Called a Royal set. Much more expensive but does anyone know if they feel any different when driving?
Also, where can one find the rubber inserts for the spring shackles (cones?). I am having trouble finding replacement u-bolts of the proper length for the rear spring. The last guy welded them to the frame when he butchered that part of the truck. Also, haven"t seen any ads for the clips that hold the springs together. Does anyone have any recommendations for a steering box rebuilder? Thanks for any help. John
 
John, like my 39 P/U the best part of the truck IS that Flathead re-built by Walt. Runs smooth as a kitty's ear:D

I got most of my suspension parts through Posies and Pete & Jakes. I'm using the Posies super sliders for the front and rear springs, the U-bolts I ordered with the new springs.
 
John, what is your objective here, origial stock, close to stock or anything functional? All of these parts and more should be available from sellers of original/ salvaged parts. If any functional part will do there are many suppliers. These should not be hard parts to come by. I would start with the Green Book so you know what part numbers you are looking for.
 
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39 Portlander, how is Walt? I haven't been up that way lately. I looked up those websites and there is a lot of good info there. I am trying to stay as original as possible within reason. I am going to use the original springs for now. I realize they are nearly eighty years old. I sandblasted and applied two costs or epoxy primer and two coats of polyurethane. If they don't work out, I'll buy new ones. I'm also working on my 31 Tudor and a couple of old airplanes right now and am going "part poor". Thanks to everyone for the good tips. John
 
From what I've read on the net numerous times, the Royal rollers aren't too good; the concensus seems to be that plain bushes are best.
 
I have never used anything besides the stock bushings and good kingpins. If your kingpins are nos and bushings replaced you'll have happy motoring.
 
I believe that the problem with the Royal kingpins is that they don't have enough built in resistance so the front end ends up too loose and you start to have other issues. I may have pins, I'll take a look.
 
JRHASZARD said:
39 Portlander, how is Walt? I haven't been up that way lately. I looked up those websites and there is a lot of good info there. I am trying to stay as original as possible within reason. I am going to use the original springs for now. I realize they are nearly eighty years old. I sandblasted and applied two costs or epoxy primer and two coats of polyurethane. If they don't work out, I'll buy new ones. I'm also working on my 31 Tudor and a couple of old airplanes right now and am going "part poor". Thanks to everyone for the good tips. John
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I'm going up to see Walt Thursday @ the Gardiner cruise night, the 39 will finally get to meet the "Flathead King" :D, Scott.
 
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