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Technical Help with lowering a 50 ford

Discussion in 'Traditional Customs' started by vwdave30, Dec 20, 2014.

  1. vwdave30
    Joined: Nov 21, 2009
    Posts: 457

    vwdave30
    Member

    I just installed some rear 3 inch lowering springs and 51 shackles under my shoebox ford and now the spring is touching the frame at the back. I have the reversed eye to the back of the car did i put the spring on backwards?
     
  2. missysdad1
    Joined: Dec 9, 2008
    Posts: 3,305

    missysdad1
    Member

    Check your new springs against your old springs. Should be the same length and configuration, just less arch. I have received lowering springs that were quite wrong but the vendor made it right. I had to provide the specs from my old springs to make this happen, however. The shop that actually manufactures the springs does so from specifications they are provided. Sometimes the specs and/or the application information they are given is incorrect.
     
  3. vwdave30
    Joined: Nov 21, 2009
    Posts: 457

    vwdave30
    Member

    I figure the springs are right i got them at shoebox central im sure they sell plenty of em. I was just wondering if i had them on wrong
     
  4. missysdad1
    Joined: Dec 9, 2008
    Posts: 3,305

    missysdad1
    Member

    Okay, but mistakes happen. Been there, done that with another large vendor of suspension parts. But without photos it's impossible for anybody to help you with the installation. Good luck.
     

  5. I used to run with 51 shackles on my shoebox and my rear springs also hit the frame at the back. It's because of the 51 shackles being shorter then the standard 49-50 shackles making the spring coming closer to the frame when bottoming out.
     
  6. HotRodFreak
    Joined: Mar 25, 2005
    Posts: 1,935

    HotRodFreak
    Member

    I used 4" lowering blocks in rear of my 51 Ford with no clearance problem.
     
  7. vwdave30
    Joined: Nov 21, 2009
    Posts: 457

    vwdave30
    Member

    I may change back to the 50 shackles and put a 2 inch block under it
     
  8. happy hoppy
    Joined: Apr 23, 2001
    Posts: 2,327

    happy hoppy
    Member

    I had the same problem. 1950 Ford, stock leaf springs and I installed 1951 shackles. The spring touched the frame. I re-installed the original shackles.
    I have read over and over that the 1951 shackles help lower 1949-50 Fords, but it did not work for me.
     
  9. vwdave30
    Joined: Nov 21, 2009
    Posts: 457

    vwdave30
    Member

    I put the stock shackles back on and it fixed the problem.
     
  10. vwdave30
    Joined: Nov 21, 2009
    Posts: 457

    vwdave30
    Member

    Here it is after i put stock shackles back on and put in some 3 inch blocks
     

    Attached Files:

  11. vwdave30
    Joined: Nov 21, 2009
    Posts: 457

    vwdave30
    Member

    This is how it sat with 51 shackles and no blocks......i just figured out how to attach pictures with my phone
     

    Attached Files:

  12. zefa46
    Joined: Dec 15, 2012
    Posts: 40

    zefa46
    Member
    from Bolton uk

    Hi with 3" block is there still suspension travel or does it bottom out
    Mike
     
  13. willumbilt
    Joined: Jul 15, 2010
    Posts: 43

    willumbilt
    Member

    what harm is done if the very rear eye of the spring at the shackle bolt touches or rides on the frame rail?
     
  14. vwdave30
    Joined: Nov 21, 2009
    Posts: 457

    vwdave30
    Member

    The spring can not move if the eye is against the frame. The shackles move back and forth as the spring gets longer and shorter as the goes up and down
     
  15. vwdave30
    Joined: Nov 21, 2009
    Posts: 457

    vwdave30
    Member

    There is plenty of travel mine rides nice
     

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