Shocks -tube vs Lever ?

[KiWinUS]

What is the general consensus on tube versus Rebuilt lever shock on our old fords ? Not worried about originality . Pros & cons ?
All opinions welcomed !!!
Thanks
Cheers
Tony

[Pete]

Originally Posted by KiWinUS

What is the general consensus on tube versus Rebuilt lever shock on our old fords ? Not worried about originality . Pros & cons ?
All opinions welcomed !!!
Thanks
Cheers
Tony

Tube shocks are cheaper and you have far more selection of compression/rebound rates.

[Kube]

If authenticity is not a concern, tube shocks will offer much better handling characteristics than lever action shocks.
Also, there are various designs of tube shocks available to meet your specific desires.

[39wdy]

I replaced my lever action shocks on my 39 1/2 ton for tube shocks because I use my truck for a working vehicle. I was finding the Houdaille shocks would sag with a load on the truck and cause erratic steering. This didn't occur without a load so I replaced all four corners with the tubes. I think they are far superior for actual road use than the lever action shocks. Toby

[Talkwrench]

Lever ones probably work very well but they would have to be in tip top condition , I replaced mine that where well worn with tube shocks [Pete & Jakes], when I hit the freeway I was sitting on 65 MPH and I didn't even know it, best thing I ever did.

[ford38v8]

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Originally Posted by 39wdy

I replaced my lever action shocks on my 39 1/2 ton for tube shocks because I use my truck for a working vehicle. I was finding the Houdaille shocks would sag with a load on the truck and cause erratic steering. This didn't occur without a load so I replaced all four corners with the tubes. I think they are far superior for actual road use than the lever action shocks. Toby

Toby, you may like your tube shocks, but don't for a minute think that tube or lever shocks either one will offer load support. Shocks are not springs, they only provide spring flex dampening, not load support.

[Old Henry]

Originally Posted by ford38v8

Toby, you may like your tube shocks, but don't for a minute think that tube or lever shocks either one will offer load support. Shocks are not springs, they only provide spring flex dampening, not load support.

Unless, of course, you replace the standard tube shocks with air shocks like I just did to lift the back end when loaded.

[G.M.]

Either shocks work good if installed properly. Tube shocks need the correct operational range as far as stroke. I have seen them to short and pull the mounting bracket off the frame or axle. You may not realize but mounted on to much of a sideward angle shoves the body to the left and right. I bought a 39 convertible 10 or so years ago that had both the original rear shocks and tubular. The fronts were original only. The tube shocks were mounted on a sideward angle pushing the body to the left and right into the nuts that hold the stock shock links on into the inner wall of the rear tires. This caused a grove about 5/8" wide and over 3/16" deep on inner walls which happened double white walls. Newer trucks have tubular shocks on a big angle, front to rear. Some have the angle of both shocks to the front or rear and some have one shock to the front and the other towards the rear. I can't figure that out but it seems to work. G.M.

[PeterC]

Just as an alternative thought - I wanted to retain an original look but wanted an upgraded funtion ie stiffer control of the ride - I had Bill W rebuild my original 35 lever rears but with a heaver oil grade, also swtiched out the front 35 levers to the larger body 36 units - again heaver oil. I can not recall if the valving was modified for stiffer action or if that was even possible. Perhaps Bill W will chime in - but the bottom line is that I like the stiffer controlled ride! PS ... I also have a 1940 swaybar which helps overall control as well.

Originally Posted by KiWinUS

What is the general consensus on tube versus Rebuilt lever shock on our old fords ? Not worried about originality . Pros & cons ?
All opinions welcomed !!!
Thanks
Cheers
Tony

[Graeme / New Zealand]

My 48 has tubes on the rear and levers on the the front. The levers or at least one of them is "stuffed" the front rides terrible ( all other front end suspension bits replaced).

Can you get a kit for converting 41/48 fronts to tubes?

thanks

GB

[Brendan]

I had no shocks on my 36 pickup for a long time. then I dug up a good set of original shocks. man what a better ride, like a bran new pickup!

[oldskool]

I installed tube shock kit on my 41 ,I have diamond back radials and between both I have a very soft smooth ride I think the radials contribute most to a smooth safe ride

[D. Jones]

I converted my 1945 1/2 ton to tubular shocks by copying the shock mounts etc in a 56 1/2 ton, and using the correct shocks for the 56. I had to add a cross member in the rear to mount the top of the shocks to and make both top and bottom mounts for the front. Works well for me.

[Graeme / New Zealand]

Originally Posted by oldskool

I installed tube shock kit on my 41 ,I have diamond back radials and between both I have a very soft smooth ride I think the radials contribute most to a smooth safe ride

Oldskool where did you get your kit from? Did you have to drill any new holes?

thanks

GB

[1oldtimer]

Originally Posted by Graeme / New Zealand

My 48 has tubes on the rear and levers on the the front. The levers or at least one of them is "stuffed" the front rides terrible ( all other front end suspension bits replaced).

Can you get a kit for converting 41/48 fronts to tubes?

thanks

GB

The '48 had a hole in the axle between the wishbone boss and the king pin for a tube shock stud. You can find a upper bracket that bolts right in where the friction shock is with the right angles.

First 2 are my '47, I did have to drill a hole in the axle for the shock stud, the last picture is for an old kit. I heard that the ear breaks off with the way it's mounted in the kit ('46-'48).

I might have another set of the uppers.

[Henry Hopper]

Took the coupe out for a test ride yesterday after fitting tube shocks to the rear....it drove really nice and improved the ride noticeably .....next on the list is to do the fronts.