The Ford Barn

Shadetree · 08-01-2013, 07:27 PM

I am not sure what a Road Wagon is but I have always heard this expression. I picture a horse drawn wagon with no springs. I know, I know when this truck was made it was for haulin' not cruisin' the boulevard on Saturday night. But surely it didn't ride this rough when new. Would removing some of the spring leaves help? What have you F1 owners done to soften the ride?

RMR&C · 08-01-2013, 10:30 PM

Yes, you can remove some leaves. I think I took out 4-5 from each spring. It won't help the cornering, but will ride much better.

Ross F-1 · 08-01-2013, 11:53 PM

Does the truck have original springs? You can identify them by the grooves in the springs and dog-eared ends. The dog-ears tend to dig in to the leaf above, to the point they stop sliding, effectively locking them up. Grinding the ends smooth will help, if they are dug up too much already.

BTW, 500 lbs in the bed makes them ride like a dream!

Vic Piano · 08-02-2013, 03:15 AM

Bud, are you running radial tires... if not, that will smooth out the ride. I run radial tires on our '51 F-1 and I drive it on the highway and around town and it is fine. I have the original springs, etc. Vic

GreenMonster48 · 08-02-2013, 05:45 AM

I too just switched to radials. Night and day difference!

HOTRODSURFER · 08-02-2013, 06:21 AM

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Quote:

Originally Posted by GreenMonster48

I too just switched to radials. Night and day difference!

X2.. radials will make a huge differance in the ride

Pete Fl/Wi · 08-02-2013, 06:31 AM

Radials run a little low on tire pressure. Posies springs made a big difference in ride.

4tl8ford · 08-02-2013, 07:22 AM

Just a reminder - It's a truck - a truck that was designed to work unlike todays trucks - I can remember riding in mid/late 50's trucks when new and they bounced you all over the seats, vibrated and shook - didn't matter if it was loaded or not
Anyone saying that they rode like a dream was having nightmares

alan · 08-02-2013, 07:49 AM

remember the short springs hold the weight, the long springs are for the ride, with that in mind take out every other short spring and add some teflon sheets between the left over springs, made my 3/4 ton ride a lot better, then I added radial tires and made the wife happier!!

Firepower flyer · 08-02-2013, 08:45 AM

When I rebushed my front and rear springs I had to repalce the two rear springs with new ones.I didn't like how high it sat or the ride. I pulled four leaves out of each rear and it sits and rides good.
Joe

El Rat · 08-02-2013, 10:57 AM

If the shocks have been replaced with gas filled ones that could be the problem. They just didn't work on my buddy's 52 Chevy pup. The ride was so rigid and unforgiving that it was like having a 2 X 4 between the frame and axle...

I used to be indecisive but I'm not so sure any more...

Shadetree · 08-02-2013, 09:01 PM

Thanks everyone! I saved your comments. This will make a good winter project.

It does have new shocks placed by the previous owner, not sure if they are gas filled.

08-01-2013, 07:27 PM	#1
Shadetree Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Cottageville, WV Posts: 1,535	My `51 F1 Rides Like A Road Wagon... I am not sure what a Road Wagon is but I have always heard this expression. I picture a horse drawn wagon with no springs. I know, I know when this truck was made it was for haulin' not cruisin' the boulevard on Saturday night. But surely it didn't ride this rough when new. Would removing some of the spring leaves help? What have you F1 owners done to soften the ride? __________________ Son, you will never blow an engine up in high gear.

08-01-2013, 10:30 PM	#2
RMR&C Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: NW Montana Posts: 131	Re: My `51 F1 Rides Like A Road Wagon... Yes, you can remove some leaves. I think I took out 4-5 from each spring. It won't help the cornering, but will ride much better.

08-02-2013, 03:15 AM	#4
Vic Piano Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Odessa, FL Posts: 7,611	Re: My `51 F1 Rides Like A Road Wagon... Bud, are you running radial tires... if not, that will smooth out the ride. I run radial tires on our '51 F-1 and I drive it on the highway and around town and it is fine. I have the original springs, etc. Vic __________________ Imagination is more important than knowledge.

08-02-2013, 05:45 AM	#5
GreenMonster48 Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Enfield Connecticut Posts: 559	Re: My `51 F1 Rides Like A Road Wagon... I too just switched to radials. Night and day difference!

08-02-2013, 06:31 AM	#7
Pete Fl/Wi Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Posts: 281	Re: My `51 F1 Rides Like A Road Wagon... Radials run a little low on tire pressure. Posies springs made a big difference in ride.

08-02-2013, 07:22 AM	#8
4tl8ford Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Erie, PA Posts: 78	Re: My `51 F1 Rides Like A Road Wagon... Just a reminder - It's a truck - a truck that was designed to work unlike todays trucks - I can remember riding in mid/late 50's trucks when new and they bounced you all over the seats, vibrated and shook - didn't matter if it was loaded or not Anyone saying that they rode like a dream was having nightmares __________________ Dick C Erie, PA 1996 Exploder 1952 Ford F2 (Driver) 1948 Ford F1 Panel (Frame off resto-rod) 1946 Ford Coupe (Basket case)

08-02-2013, 07:49 AM	#9
alan Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: UPSTATESC Posts: 669	Re: My `51 F1 Rides Like A Road Wagon... remember the short springs hold the weight, the long springs are for the ride, with that in mind take out every other short spring and add some teflon sheets between the left over springs, made my 3/4 ton ride a lot better, then I added radial tires and made the wife happier!!

08-02-2013, 08:45 AM	#10
Firepower flyer Senior Member Join Date: May 2011 Location: New Berlin,Wi Posts: 228	Re: My `51 F1 Rides Like A Road Wagon... When I rebushed my front and rear springs I had to repalce the two rear springs with new ones.I didn't like how high it sat or the ride. I pulled four leaves out of each rear and it sits and rides good. Joe

08-02-2013, 10:57 AM	#11
El Rat Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2010 Posts: 260	Re: My `51 F1 Rides Like A Road Wagon... If the shocks have been replaced with gas filled ones that could be the problem. They just didn't work on my buddy's 52 Chevy pup. The ride was so rigid and unforgiving that it was like having a 2 X 4 between the frame and axle... I used to be indecisive but I'm not so sure any more...

08-02-2013, 09:01 PM	#12
Shadetree Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Cottageville, WV Posts: 1,535	Re: My `51 F1 Rides Like A Road Wagon... Thanks everyone! I saved your comments. This will make a good winter project. It does have new shocks placed by the previous owner, not sure if they are gas filled. __________________ Son, you will never blow an engine up in high gear.