Height of 48 Ford front end.

[48fordconv]

The front of my 48 Ford Conv. Seems to set a lot higher than other 48 Fords. What should it have for front spring ? How many leafs? Also has high should bumper be off ground in middle of bumper? Thanks for any help.

[48fordconv]

Mine has 11 leaves but measures 16 1/4" at bottom of bottom to ground. Does anyone have the specs. for spring setting up right on the ground? I got a spring company that can work on it but need height of spring setting upright on ground. (out of car) Thanks

[Old Ford Addict]

I would think you need to know the installed width (eye to eye) number to give the spring shop.

[Kube]

Originally Posted by Steve-Maine

The front of my 48 Ford Conv. Seems to set a lot higher than other 48 Fords. What should it have for front spring ? How many leafs? Also has high should bumper be off ground in middle of bumper? Thanks for any help.

Steve, The "standard" spring was in fact eleven leaves. The optional spring had twelve.
The difference in ride height between the two was very minimal - less than 1/4". However, the ride with the 12 would have been a bit more stiff.
Specified height with the 11 leaf was a nominal 17".
Having the correct spring(s) and height makes a huge difference in the way a vehicle rides and most noticeably in the way it handles.
Sagging spring(s) will make a car ride harsh and require much more effort to steer.
If possible, I always advise a (serious) restorer to obtain NOS springs. Replacement springs will certainly fit and function but unless the spring maker has the factory specifications (typically lacking) they will not correctly replicate the Ford designed ride & handling characteristics.

[Kube]

Originally Posted by Steve-Maine

Mine has 11 leaves but measures 16 1/4" at bottom of bottom to ground. Does anyone have the specs. for spring setting up right on the ground? I got a spring company that can work on it but need height of spring setting upright on ground. (out of car) Thanks

Steve, I might suggest you look for another shop or find NOS springs as I'd previously suggested.
The height of a spring with no load on it has very little (as in "nearly NO) to do with the installed height, load bearing capabilities.
Springs are typically designed to hold a specified load (weight) at a specified height.

[johnny]

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46 woodie 16 1/2 to bottom of front bumper ,I think it was a new spring ,can't remember if so .In theory the lower the front the straigher it should steer as the ball on the end of the radius rods if lower would tend to increase the + caster .but i think the car would have to drop a lot to gain a little increase in + caster Johnny

[Kube]

Originally Posted by johnny

46 woodie 16 1/2 to bottom of front bumper ,I think it was a new spring ,can't remember if so .In theory the lower the front the straigher it should steer as the ball on the end of the radius rods if lower would tend to increase the + caster .but i think the car would have to drop a lot to gain a little increase in + caster Johnny

That theory does not apply to the front chassis design of these old Fords.
The reality is that when the spring is worn, there is a significant decrease in handling performance.
Perhaps imagine a car with worn out shock absorbers... similar to what that does to the ride and handling.

[fordor41]

I had a local spring shop do some work for me a while back and he had the spec. sheet for 41-48 Fords. Each model had a spec. listing for each model. there wasn't a generic spring even though they appear the same.

[johnny]

Kube what you are saying about a worn spring might be right .But i said nothing about a bad spring The lower the car frame the + caster is increased it changes more + when the raidus ball is lowered which is in turn is fastened to the frame. so if one took leaves out of the spring to create a lower profile down goes the frame and the radius rod ball increasing the caster. the whole question was about the ride height not the efects of driving with a bad spring .Johnny.

[Kube]

Originally Posted by johnny

Kube what you are saying about a worn spring might be right .But i said nothing about a bad spring The lower the car frame the + caster is increased it changes more + when the raidus ball is lowered which is in turn is fastened to the frame. so if one took leaves out of the spring to create a lower profile down goes the frame and the radius rod ball increasing the caster. the whole question was about the ride height not the efects of driving with a bad spring .Johnny.

By simply removing leaves, the caster will actually be less. A tiny amount, no doubt impercievable "on the road" but a tiny amount nonetheless.

[Kube]

Originally Posted by johnny

Kube what you are saying about a worn spring might be right .But i said nothing about a bad spring The lower the car frame the + caster is increased it changes more + when the raidus ball is lowered which is in turn is fastened to the frame. so if one took leaves out of the spring to create a lower profile down goes the frame and the radius rod ball increasing the caster. the whole question was about the ride height not the efects of driving with a bad spring .Johnny.

By simply removing leaves, the caster will actually be less. A tiny amount, no doubt inperceivable "on the road", but a tiny amount nonetheless.