35 pickup Shock dogbone

[Jakno]

Having problems getting a full nut on my 35 pickup tapered dogbone bolt ends, on the shock arm and on the frame ends. Can just about get a half thread and then the taper closes up.

The shocks I bought used on the Barn and M Bartlett N.C. re-built them for me. Both left & right front dogbones have the same issue. The rear shocks bolted up fine.

Could I be trying to mate up different year parts ?. I bought them as 1935.

Almost ready for my first test flight after 1.5 years. Thanks for anything you could offer.

[Terry,OH]

That is not the 35 style. You have the style used later, although both are 3" CL. 35 Is a pressed steel body and not cast. I believe the later shocks have shorter threads due to an interference issue. I also believe the nut for the LATER shock is a thin Marsten. This is why your having trouble. Not sure if you can see the Ford script on the link below.

[Jakno]

Thanks Terry. When you say that is not the 35 style, are you referring to the dog bone or the shock body ?. Thanks for your reply

[Terry,OH]

I have added photos of the 35 link above. From what I see the front shock looks correct. The 35 front shock arm is straight and the 36 arm angles toward the frame. The 36 shock body is longer than the 35, putting the shock arm out from the frame slightly more than the 35.

[Jakno]

Thanks Terry. Excellent information. I would have spent a lot of time finding out what you have shared. Will be out looking for the correct parts now. Jake, Maine

[Don Rogers]

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Janko, I think that your issue is quite common among 35-36 V-8 restorers. Ford NOS shock link Replacement parts changed or were modified over time. Originally 35-36 shock link studs had a 3/8 x 24 thread with a length of 1/2". They were held in place by a lock washer and a 7/32" thick check nut. These lengths were used in production and replacement parts thru 1937. In late Dec 1937/early Jan 1938 Archive drawings reveal that the shock link studs were shortened to 5/16" and a 7/32" thick self-locking Marsden nut was used. Most NOS replacement shock links reflect this shorter design.

On another note, there were (4) correct style shock links used during 1935 vehicle production. The original dog bone style, stamped steel and 2 forged designs. They are shown below. The dog bone was phased out of production during 1935. The rear dog bone link was quite different and had an integral rear shock arm as part of the assembly.(just like your example below)

[Jakno]

These are my current dog bones. Look like the later models as you said.