The Ford Barn

jiw1 · 02-22-2023, 07:55 PM

i am converting my 46 mercury to tube shocks,i have mounted the upper front mount but did not drill the hole in the front axle yet. i checked the distance between top mount center and where i think the hole in the axle for the lower mount should be is 17". a stock monroe shock for this car only extendes 17.88".it will fit but is this extended length enough to let the car roll from side to side? what i am trying to find out if the distance is 17" center to center what should the extended length of the shock measure. same with rear center to center is 21". thank you all

alanwoodieman · 02-22-2023, 10:46 PM

ream out the stock shock connection and use 70,s chevy van front shocks

jiw1 · 02-23-2023, 01:26 PM

i looked up 1970's front shocks made by monroe and they are to short,there extended length is 14.63". my top to bottom or center to center is 17'.

TJ · 02-23-2023, 02:25 PM

If 17" is your ride height(with weight on the suspension) I would use a shock with an extended length of about 20" and a compressed length of about 14". Gives you about 3" of travel in either direction. You might get by with 19" and 15". Measure the distance from the axle to the tip of your axle bump stops which will give you a better estimate on compressed length.

Automotive Stud · 02-24-2023, 10:28 AM

Don't drill the axle, bolt the lower mount to the ear on the pirch pin where the lever shock originally attached. This will make your shocks the right length and not compromise the axle.

jiw1 · 02-24-2023, 11:20 AM

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tj, thank you for that info. auto stud,your info is very reasonable but in my sight doing it that way does'ent seam to line up with the top mount (in my line of sight}unless the top mount is relocated,is that what needs to be done?

jiw1 · 02-24-2023, 11:23 AM

another pix

jiw1 · 02-24-2023, 11:27 AM

trying to get another picture posted

TJ · 02-24-2023, 11:51 AM

Drilling your axle should not be a problem. In '48 Ford went to tube shocks and used a hole in the axle for the lower mount. You will have to use a spacer to compensate for the center depression in the axle.

tetanus · 02-24-2023, 12:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TJ

Drilling your axle should not be a problem. In '48 Ford went to tube shocks and used a hole in the axle for the lower mount. You will have to use a spacer to compensate for the center depression in the axle.

They were filled in on the forging for hole

1oldtimer · 02-26-2023, 04:53 AM

Did my '47 through the axle like a '48, go slow and use lots of cutting oil. I've seen the kits to add it on the perch pin, but I've also seen a few with broken off ears.

1oldtimer · 02-26-2023, 04:58 AM

I used an old clamp on kit in the rear. The KYBs went to my old '54 panel as they were too stiff for the '47. I know the angle is steep, but the exhaust is in the way.

corvette8n · 02-26-2023, 07:05 AM

I thought about converting my ‘41 to tube shocks, I even acquired all the brackets, but I sent my original shocks out for a rebuild instead.
Fast turnaround and a good job, try Andy.

Andrew Falandes
789 Tea St.
Charlemont, MA. 01339

(413)768-8487

mailto:[email protected]

02-22-2023, 07:55 PM	#1
jiw1 Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2014 Location: girard,il Posts: 123	tube shocks i am converting my 46 mercury to tube shocks,i have mounted the upper front mount but did not drill the hole in the front axle yet. i checked the distance between top mount center and where i think the hole in the axle for the lower mount should be is 17". a stock monroe shock for this car only extendes 17.88".it will fit but is this extended length enough to let the car roll from side to side? what i am trying to find out if the distance is 17" center to center what should the extended length of the shock measure. same with rear center to center is 21". thank you all

02-22-2023, 10:46 PM	#2
alanwoodieman Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: upstate SC Posts: 2,964	Re: tube shocks ream out the stock shock connection and use 70,s chevy van front shocks

02-23-2023, 01:26 PM	#3
jiw1 Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2014 Location: girard,il Posts: 123	Re: tube shocks i looked up 1970's front shocks made by monroe and they are to short,there extended length is 14.63". my top to bottom or center to center is 17'.

02-23-2023, 02:25 PM	#4
TJ Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Napa,California Posts: 6,037	Re: tube shocks If 17" is your ride height(with weight on the suspension) I would use a shock with an extended length of about 20" and a compressed length of about 14". Gives you about 3" of travel in either direction. You might get by with 19" and 15". Measure the distance from the axle to the tip of your axle bump stops which will give you a better estimate on compressed length.

02-24-2023, 10:28 AM	#5
Automotive Stud Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: New Jersey Posts: 832	Re: tube shocks Don't drill the axle, bolt the lower mount to the ear on the pirch pin where the lever shock originally attached. This will make your shocks the right length and not compromise the axle.

02-24-2023, 11:23 AM	#7
jiw1 Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2014 Location: girard,il Posts: 123	Re: tube shocks another pix

02-24-2023, 11:51 AM	#9
TJ Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Napa,California Posts: 6,037	Re: tube shocks Drilling your axle should not be a problem. In '48 Ford went to tube shocks and used a hole in the axle for the lower mount. You will have to use a spacer to compensate for the center depression in the axle.

02-26-2023, 07:05 AM	#13
corvette8n Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: 36 miles north of Albany NY Posts: 2,952	Re: tube shocks I thought about converting my ‘41 to tube shocks, I even acquired all the brackets, but I sent my original shocks out for a rebuild instead. Fast turnaround and a good job, try Andy. Andrew Falandes 789 Tea St. Charlemont, MA. 01339 (413)768-8487 mailto:[email protected]