Lowering a 40,s truck

[Ianrhall]

I have a 44 ford v8 truck coming. I want to lower it approx 3-4" all round.
Seems to be many opinions on this
A friend used a 3" drop and dropped leaves and then flipped the rear axle
This has made the truck maybe too low and the running board is level with the ground, I would prefer a slight rake. Flipping the axle was a lot of work and now we are looking at how to raise it a little!
So could I
Fit drop axle and use stock front springs
Reverse long rear leaf and remove some other leaves

Leave front axle but as above reverse the eyes and remove some leaves
Same at rear

The latter plan would be virtually no cost, although all of the bushes are likely to be shot

It's just a question of whether to order an axle or not, I'm in the uk so will need to get it shipped with the truck

Thanks
Ian

[scooder]

Ian, on the front of these there ain't a bunch of room for suspension travel stock,(least on my '42 there's not lots of room) so reversed spring eyes and removed leaves is gonna have you bottoming out a fair bit I think. So going with a dropped axle is probably better. As for the back, I spec removing leaves would suit you, as I spec your not gonna use it as a pickup, what with all this lowering business, shame. I like pickups to be pickups, and used and kept as such.
You keeping the flathead in it?
Your probably gonna be sent to the HAMB.
Martin.
Also in England.

[Ianrhall]

Any pics of your 42?
Yes definitely keeping the flattie. It sits way too high so have to do something, intend on using it so don't want a radical drop, airbags would be cool tho!!

[cmbrucew]

You might want to keep it stock as Ford did not make many 1944 non military trucks.
There was a war going on that year.
Bruce

[Ianrhall]

Only going to drop it a bit and put dual system on, that's about it. I won't cut it up!
Pretty rare then is it?
Ian

[Ianrhall]

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Could it be a military truck!

[waterboychuck]

I installed a 3 inch dropped axle on the front and removed 1/2 of the leafs in the rear. I don't think that I'll be hauling anything and the ride is better. Send me a PM with your email and I send you some photos. Mine are too large for this sight.

[Ken Crans]

On my 47 i had i used a F-1 axle to convert to tube shocks eliminating the lever actions and having the F1 brakes which stop a whole lot better.. Used reverse main leaves with every other leave missing i believe it was 5 -7 leaves Had to alter front shackle for travel Did the same in the rear with reversed eyed and a 63 F100 9 in. sat perfect and rode real nice Check in Avitar for pics There a lot if different options and your preference good luck

[Sixseven]

A PO of my truck removed several rear leaf springs and it didn't seem to lower the rear but for the thickness of the spring. It lessens the ride stiffness which is why I suspect it was done.

[Ianrhall]

Yes, a friend if mine has just lowered his 47 by flipping the axle but leaving the leaf packs. It has dropped it 4.5" but ride is very hard. It still has 10 leaves in the packs, good an to remove 4 or 5 I think.
I intend to remove some leaves and possibly either flip the rear shackles or turn the long leaf over(have to re bend it of course)
I hope this will achieve around 3-4" of drop
Whether I will still have to notch the chassis remains to be seen!
Ian

[TonyM]

Originally Posted by cmbrucew

You might want to keep it stock as Ford did not make many 1944 non military trucks.
There was a war going on that year.
Bruce

Yep, not many 1944 Civilian Ford Trucks. Leave it stock.

[Ianrhall]

I'm only lowering it a bit, could revert it back!!

[funrunr]

I went with drop axle and left original spring in front, my biggest mistake was going mono leaf in rear. Looks great but very bouncy ride. I dont suggest it to no one. (40 coupe, not truck but same principle)

[scooder]

Originally Posted by funrunr

I went with drop axle and left original spring in front, my biggest mistake was going mono leaf in rear. Looks great but very bouncy ride. I dont suggest it to no one. (40 coupe, not truck but same principle)

Not really the same principal, his truck has parallel leaf springs front and back. Totally different setup, sorry.

Ian, you say 1944, I'm interested in how you've got this info. I ask purely because for instance most "1942" pickups aren't, majority are 46-47's.
Be quite cool if it is a 1944, cus as been stated, very few civilian trucks were made in the war years, only allowed if you could prove you really needed a new truck, and had to be in a needed industry, farming or such. Then you still had to jump through hoops to get on the waiting list.
Martin

[Ianrhall]

I am told it is 44, we will see for sure when I have title in my hand. Will it be much the same truck 42-47?
Ian

[cmbrucew]

Originally Posted by Ianrhall

I am told it is 44, we will see for sure when I have title in my hand. Will it be much the same truck 42-47?
Ian

That would depend on wither it was made for the military and also the country of origin.
Where is your truck coming from?
Bruce

[Ianrhall]

From Spokane WA

Ian

[AnthonyG]

Has anybody used the Carbon fiber leafs? I've heard the ride is great and they are strong enough for light loads if you want to use it as a pickup? Better than stock ride. Much easier to work with due to so much lighter. Looks easy enough to mount under axles to lower. A bit expensive.
http://www.speedwaymotors.com/1935-4...-Kit,2210.html

[Ianrhall]

$750, I won't be using them!!

[Mike B]

Ian, check with "Chris" here on Ford Barn, he had a 46? he lowered a tad and made it look nice...I'll see if I can find the thread for you.

[Ianrhall]

The truck is coming from him��
Ian

[Mike B]

Heck...lol...he just got that not long ago!

I'm sure he lowered one of those trucks before?

[Ianrhall]

Yes I think that's correct

[scooder]

Originally Posted by Ianrhall

I am told it is 44, we will see for sure when I have title in my hand. Will it be much the same truck 42-47?
Ian

Yes mate, there are small detail difference in the 42 but only details. I think these year trucks have the least info available of all the early Ford's.
Martin.

[Ianrhall]

I think you are right there, I have a couple of books on ford pickups and they pass by the mid 40s ones!
Ian

[cmbrucew]

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https://www.fordbarn.com/forum/showthread.php?t=153747

Here is the thread by Chris when he bought the truck.
No decision then if it was made in 1944.
Bruce

[Ianrhall]

Truck is here now, need to get it closer to the ground!

[TonyM]

Looks great.

[Mike B]

Originally Posted by Ianrhall

Truck is here now, need to get it closer to the ground!

Did you figure out a plan to lower it?

[JSeery]

Originally Posted by cmbrucew

https://www.fordbarn.com/forum/showthread.php?t=153747

Here is the thread by Chris when he bought the truck.
No decision then if it was made in 1944.
Bruce

Little late on my reply! but there was a lot of decision on the year of the truck in that thread and 1944 is part of that decision.

[Ianrhall]

Intend on fitting 3" drop axle to the front and probably remove a leaf or 2
At the rear I'm not sure but thinking of raising shackles to give 2.5" then remove 3 or 4 leaves. The plate that the leaf pack sits could be altered to give another 1". After that maybe I could reverse the long leaf. There is 8" of clearance between axle tubes and chassis so I have plenty of room. I am trying to avoid flipping the axle, maybe that would be ire straight forward

Ian

[Mike B]

Tinker, his chassis is just about like an F1, not a 35-41 PU.

[Ianrhall]

Final stance!

[Fordors]

Perfect! A great look and fully streetable.