Features 1939 Ford Tudor Front Shocks

Hey Folks,

My brother is restoring a '39 Ford Tudor to be a traditional hot rod similar to what our dad drove when he was young. Brother is somewhat new to the early Ford V8 world (as am I), and he had a question about the front shocks. The attached photo is a few years old (frame is now completely restored), but the question is about the origin of the front shocks shown in the photo. We had assumed they were original '39 Ford equipment, but a prominent member of the local Early V8 Ford club said they were not original, and he didn't recognize them as being from something else like a Ford truck from the same period.

I'm assuming it would have originally had lever type shocks like the rear? Anyone recognize what is shown in the photo? Thanks in advance.

 

what Moriarity said.

 

Thanks Moriarity. Given that my brother is going for a 50s/60s hot rod vibe (i.e., not 100% original hardware), is there any reason why he shouldn't stick with the tube shock setup? I know when people sometimes modify suspensions it can lead to an undesirable/unsafe outcome. Not sure if this layout falls into that category, or perhaps it's commonly done and a well-established method.

 

Great, thanks for the info! Much appreciated.

 

Look just like the ones on my old 39. I figured they were an aftermarket piece as they bolt in the same holes where the original lever shocks mounted.


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Your car is a v8-60 car, isn’t it?


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Yep, they definitely look the same as the ones on your old '39. What's odd is that my brother said they have a Ford stamping on them, suggesting they came from another Ford vehicle rather than aftermarket. Not sure if this is actually true, though. I haven't looked at them closely myself.

Yep, it was originally a V8-60 car, but is being modified with a hot-rodded Mercury 59AB engine like was in the '39 my dad drove when he was a kid.

 

Have used several sets of those on 40's-believe they may be later Ford as they had a Ford stamp as well. They work fine-better than some of the aftermarket kits. Only issue is that they can contact the inner fender panel and cause front sheet metal alignment issue-have to correct that.We made a 3/8" steel plate to space it out and welded to the bracket bolt area--also shortened a few at top for different shocks--all worked well.

 

I got same set up on my 39. They Work well. Been that way since the early 1990s on mine.

 

I think they may be 1948 Ford parts. Maybe.

 

Yep--46-48 I think

 

1948 was the first year for the tube shocks. 1946 and 1947 still had the lever shocks. The '48 shock brackets were and easy way of updating older models.

 

Any idea which models? I've been googling stuff like "1948 Ford shock mounts" and nothing shows up in the image results. I'd love to figure out what type of vehicle they came from if they are actually a Ford factory part from later on.

 

Fritz says 48-passenger cars I think-I see them now and then on ebay--they work well-as said , much better than aftermarket in my opinion

 

Just got a photo from my brother confirming they have a Ford logo and part number, so I guess they aren't aftermarket. That said, they look nothing like the ones you posted above. Peculiar.

 

^^ I have never seen this type. The ones I have used only have two mounting holes and line up with stock holes in 40 frame. Also have Ford stamp. These look interesting.

 

Not sure if you're referring to my post or Moriarity's. The front shock mounts on my brothers have two bolts and appear to use the stock holes on my brother's V8-60 frame.

 

I was referring to Moriarity's post above. The ones you show I have used a lot. The others I have never seen. Just be aware as I mentioned, they can hit your inner fender panel and throw off front sheet metal alignment-easy fix

 

Interesting--never seen those-learn something every day-the Ford ones I have used many times on 40's

 

They look the same as all Aussie 46/48 Ford's have ,we had tube shocks from 1940

 

I have the same set up on my 40 standard. Tube rubs a bit on fender well.

 

‘40 with aftermarket tube shock kit.


No idea who made them. No markings. Frame bracket will fit right or left.

 

Took a closer look at mine. They apparently are aftermarket as there’s no Ford marking on them. Only a part number, L & R


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The ones @Moriarity shows are 47-8 factory parts. They won’t clear a 46/ earlier car because the inner fenders for the 7-8 have a different shape with a divot for them.

found that out last fall when I found out they wouldn’t fit my 46’ with out some hammer time.

the ones OP posted as confirmed already are a very common era correct after market part