The Ford Barn

ford31 · 10-20-2012, 11:07 AM

I have the Ken Davis Shocks been on pickup several years,very satisfied and would never change back that said,I think ride is ok but wife says little rough(bad knees) but it is a model a,ours are the red ones are there softer versions? I have problem on phone cannot hear as good as use to Ken offered to help me with easier ride (by phone)

CarlG · 10-20-2012, 11:28 AM

The ones I got from Ken are blue.

ford31 · 10-20-2012, 02:19 PM

wonder if blue is softer

KGBnut · 10-20-2012, 05:11 PM

Mine are the blue ones and they are pretty firm.

Ken's a nice guy and not hard to reach. Why don't you contact him directly and ask him?

Dusty · 10-21-2012, 12:42 AM

I just installed the front blue ones on my "A" I found the ride to be very firm but that may not be a real assessment, it seems my front springs are sagging so bad I have only about an inch of inner shock tube showing on the passenger side and none on the driver's side. I assume they are bottoming out.

I will probably end up removing them and give up on the idea because I don't want to fool with the spring.

Bummed out in WV

dusty

Logan · 10-21-2012, 12:57 AM

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Quote:

Originally Posted by Dusty

I just installed the front blue ones on my "A" I found the ride to be very firm but that may not be a real assessment, it seems my front springs are sagging so bad I have only about an inch of inner shock tube showing on the passenger side and none on the driver's side. I assume they are bottoming out.

I will probably end up removing them and give up on the idea because I don't want to fool with the spring.

Bummed out in WV

dusty

Springs aren't hard to pull apart. In about an hour or maybe more if you've never done it, you can have the front end dropped, the springs off the shackles, and have the springs taken apart. If you take the springs apart, use a giant C clamp to hold the leafs in place while you loosen the center bolt and take it out. Then slowly loosen the C clamp to the tension eases off the leafs. Then you can have them re-bent or whatever you want to have done. I would suggest doing this because the ride of your car won't get any better, and it's a simple fix.

CarlG · 10-21-2012, 01:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dusty

I just installed the front blue ones on my "A"... it seems my front springs are sagging so bad I have only about an inch of inner shock tube showing on the passenger side and none on the driver's side...

Same with mine -- That prompted me to replace the front spring with a new one from A-Springs.

BILL WILLIAMSON · 10-21-2012, 01:06 AM

I agree, fronts are easy, the rear is a real BOOGER+*&$#@%%#+ Bill W.

BILL WILLIAMSON · 10-21-2012, 01:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CarlG

Same with mine -- That prompted me to replace the front spring with a new one from A-Springs.

Carl, my man,
Why are we up so late? Might miss something???My Dog is beggin' to go to bed, he gets SO excited when we go to bed. Bill W.

CarlG · 10-21-2012, 01:16 AM

Bill, It's an hour earlier here than there.

BILL WILLIAMSON · 10-21-2012, 01:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CarlG

Bill, It's an hour earlier here than there.

Dum Da Dum Dum,
Just consulted my wall sized world map Good thing you're not past the date line or you might be in YESTERTOMORROW & wouldn't know the front spring from the rear shock! Bill W.

Dusty · 10-21-2012, 07:40 PM

OK, you guys convinced me I can do it, I'm going to purchase a new front spring from Snyder's has anyone used theses? I have reviewed Les's manual and it looks like if you measure from the middle of the front bumper to the floor it is suppose to be 18.5 inches +-.5 Mine is only 15 so it is sagging a lot.

dusty

CarlG · 10-21-2012, 08:07 PM

The spring Snyder's sells is the A-Spring. I bought mine from Snyders. Snyder's lists 2 springs, get the better (ie:more expensive) one. Also get a can of Slip Plate from NAPA or John Deere, and a can of Rustoleum Professional black paint. I was able to re-use my old shackles. I did use a spring spreader, but it probably is not necessary on the front spring. Just don't try that on the rear.

Logan · 10-21-2012, 08:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dusty

OK, you guys convinced me I can do it, I'm going to purchase a new front spring from Snyder's has anyone used theses? I have reviewed Les's manual and it looks like if you measure from the middle of the front bumper to the floor it is suppose to be 18.5 inches +-.5 Mine is only 15 so it is sagging a lot.

dusty

Whenever you assemble your springs, put some kind of lube in between each one. I use grease, some others use other things. You shouldn't need a spring spreader for the front. I would also take this time to check out the rest of the front end and replace anything that's worn out.

Dusty · 10-21-2012, 08:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Logan

Whenever you assemble your springs, put some kind of lube in between each one. I use grease, some others use other things. You shouldn't need a spring spreader for the front. I would also take this time to check out the rest of the front end and replace anything that's worn out.

Wouldn't the ones from Snyder's come already assembled?

dusty

CarlG · 10-21-2012, 08:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dusty

Wouldn't the ones from Snyder's come already assembled?

dusty

They are assembled, just not lubricated between the leaves, nor are they painted.

Logan · 10-21-2012, 09:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dusty

Wouldn't the ones from Snyder's come already assembled?

dusty

If it were my car, I would take the springs apart from snyders, paint each one, and lube each one. But I'm really really picky when it comes to that kind of stuff. If you just want to paint them all together and put it on, it'll will be just fine. If you decide to take it apart and paint each spring, buy a new center bolt with your springs. Because the one that will come on the springs will most likely all ready be cut off. Therefore when you go to put them back together, you will not have a long enough bolt to go threw all the leafs.

Ed Saniewski · 10-22-2012, 05:45 AM

Don't just paint around them, take the time to disassemble them,it's easy, then black paint and Slip Plate them. You will be happy later when you don't have to listen to the squeeking as you drive down the road.

Pat Martone · 10-22-2012, 06:13 AM

What is "slip plate" and where can you get it?
(I've been oiling my already-mounted springs with penophite (spelling?) spray, which is a light oil with graphite added. It seems to quiet down the springs nicely.)
Is penophite good enough to use when disassembling new springs for painting and lubrication prior to installation?
Thanks.

1928Pickuppain · 10-22-2012, 07:05 AM

I see absolutely no point to painting the leaves inside there is so much friction in there I don't care if they are sanded, primed, painted, baked and greased there is so much friction it will share te paint off the in between an now you have shit In there to act as an abrasive surface to bite into both surfaces and reduce movement. Just sand any rust off and put ample amounts of grease. And why buy new? If there original just take them to any decent spring shop and they will rebend them for cheep or do it you self with two iron blocks and a press work them back and forth up an down the arch with the press and put a new deeper curve in them. (just make sure you dot use any heat or thell be ruined) If you have a broken spring then ask around some one will probably give you a leaf. So basically no cost to do them did mine thee years ago on my press and I'm still riding were I should be.

10-20-2012, 11:07 AM	#1
ford31 Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Rocky Mount,MO. Posts: 410	Ken Davis Shocks I have the Ken Davis Shocks been on pickup several years,very satisfied and would never change back that said,I think ride is ok but wife says little rough(bad knees) but it is a model a,ours are the red ones are there softer versions? I have problem on phone cannot hear as good as use to Ken offered to help me with easier ride (by phone)

10-20-2012, 11:28 AM	#2
CarlG Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Anchorage, Alaska Posts: 9,123	Re: Ken Davis Shocks The ones I got from Ken are blue.

10-20-2012, 02:19 PM	#3
ford31 Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Rocky Mount,MO. Posts: 410	Re: Ken Davis Shocks wonder if blue is softer

10-20-2012, 05:11 PM	#4
KGBnut Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Southwestern Connecticut Posts: 934	Re: Ken Davis Shocks Mine are the blue ones and they are pretty firm. Ken's a nice guy and not hard to reach. Why don't you contact him directly and ask him? __________________ Style beats speed any day, and with a lot fewer tickets.

10-21-2012, 12:42 AM	#5
Dusty Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Lincolnton, Georgia Posts: 723	Re: Ken Davis Shocks I just installed the front blue ones on my "A" I found the ride to be very firm but that may not be a real assessment, it seems my front springs are sagging so bad I have only about an inch of inner shock tube showing on the passenger side and none on the driver's side. I assume they are bottoming out. I will probably end up removing them and give up on the idea because I don't want to fool with the spring. Bummed out in WV dusty

10-21-2012, 01:06 AM	#8
BILL WILLIAMSON Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: FRESNO, CA Posts: 12,560	Re: Ken Davis Shocks *I agree, fronts are easy, the rear is a real BOOGER+&$#@%%#+ Bill W. __________________ "THE ASSISTANT GURU OF STUFF"**

10-21-2012, 01:16 AM	#10
CarlG Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Anchorage, Alaska Posts: 9,123	Re: Ken Davis Shocks Bill, It's an hour earlier here than there.

10-21-2012, 07:40 PM	#12
Dusty Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Lincolnton, Georgia Posts: 723	Re: Ken Davis Shocks OK, you guys convinced me I can do it, I'm going to purchase a new front spring from Snyder's has anyone used theses? I have reviewed Les's manual and it looks like if you measure from the middle of the front bumper to the floor it is suppose to be 18.5 inches +-.5 Mine is only 15 so it is sagging a lot. dusty

10-21-2012, 08:07 PM	#13
CarlG Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Anchorage, Alaska Posts: 9,123	Re: Ken Davis Shocks The spring Snyder's sells is the A-Spring. I bought mine from Snyders. Snyder's lists 2 springs, get the better (ie:more expensive) one. Also get a can of Slip Plate from NAPA or John Deere, and a can of Rustoleum Professional black paint. I was able to re-use my old shackles. I did use a spring spreader, but it probably is not necessary on the front spring. Just don't try that on the rear.

10-22-2012, 05:45 AM	#18
Ed Saniewski Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Denville NJ Posts: 964	Re: Ken Davis Shocks Don't just paint around them, take the time to disassemble them,it's easy, then black paint and Slip Plate them. You will be happy later when you don't have to listen to the squeeking as you drive down the road. __________________ Model A Ford Club of New Jersey http://www.mafcnj.org Model A Pick Up Owners and Enthusiasts https://www.fordbarn.com/forum/group.php?groupid=5

10-22-2012, 06:13 AM	#19
Pat Martone Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2011 Posts: 495	Re: Ken Davis Shocks What is "slip plate" and where can you get it? (I've been oiling my already-mounted springs with penophite (spelling?) spray, which is a light oil with graphite added. It seems to quiet down the springs nicely.) Is penophite good enough to use when disassembling new springs for painting and lubrication prior to installation? Thanks.

10-22-2012, 07:05 AM	#20
1928Pickuppain Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Billerica, Ma Posts: 461	Re: Ken Davis Shocks I see absolutely no point to painting the leaves inside there is so much friction in there I don't care if they are sanded, primed, painted, baked and greased there is so much friction it will share te paint off the in between an now you have shit In there to act as an abrasive surface to bite into both surfaces and reduce movement. Just sand any rust off and put ample amounts of grease. And why buy new? If there original just take them to any decent spring shop and they will rebend them for cheep or do it you self with two iron blocks and a press work them back and forth up an down the arch with the press and put a new deeper curve in them. (just make sure you dot use any heat or thell be ruined) If you have a broken spring then ask around some one will probably give you a leaf. So basically no cost to do them did mine thee years ago on my press and I'm still riding were I should be.