I’m doing a build and could use some help… 1939 Ford Pickup Build. I bought a frame already to go… dropped front axle, disc fronts, steering box, 8” rear end, shocks, springs… you get the picture. The gentleman I got it from typically uses a Chevy power plant but I intend to use a Flathead Mercury/T5 combination. As I put my mock up block in its standard position the oil pan bumps into the tie rod and drag link. I’m wondering if using a truck oil pan will make any difference? Or do I need to do something different with the tie rod and drag link? Pretty sure most of the components are Speedway. I’ll try to post pics… thanks for any thoughts or advice.
Tie rods should be below the wishbone, it is typical to have to heat and bend the steering arms to make it work after installing a dropped axle
If it were Ford spindles id heat the arms and move the tie rod and drag link below the wishbone. But ive never messed with those bolt on arms or presumably aftermarket pitman arm so maybe thats not an option? I dunno. The flathead truck oil pan isnt gonna get you there.
If I wereyouI would buy some Chassis Engineering dropped steering arms that have the bolts thru both the spindle and the arm. Much safer.
As above^^. I will add are you sure the water pumps are the right year as some have a different height in the mounting tab, I think.
What brand of axle? On several after market dropped axles the stock ford steering arms wont clear the drop sufficiently. If thats the case you may need to lop them off and fit aftermarket dropped arms. Without a clear side view i am sure you have close to zero suspension travel before the tie rod hits the frame, maybe.
You need the truck rear sump pan, the middle sump passenger car pan will not work even if the suspension was stock
I used the CE arms to get under the wishbones; also made up a drag link out of straight tube to do away with the bulky adjustment sleeve. Pete & Jakes sell the CE arms now.
Just a FYI on the Chassis Engineering steering arms, that part of the business along with the dropped axles were acquired by Pete and Jakes, while everything else went to Heidts. You can get the steering arms direct from Pete and Jakes or can buy them thru Summit Racing.
Like John's said above. You need a 48 -52 f1 truck pan or a 49-50 merc pan with the proper pickup. the center sump pan will not work without losing half it's vo!umn.
I put a truck pan on and set it in place a bit… looks like I’ll need to bend the arms a bit or go beneath the wishbones as stated above. Think I’ll make a call to Pete & Jakes to check on options they may have for the arms…
As others have said you need to be below the wishbones .... once the weight of the motor is there then you will have very little travel .... Pete & Jakes catalogue has a good explanation of font end axle suspension setups .... get them to send you one
yes, imagine the disaster of going over a bump and getting the tie rod smashed between the wishbone and the frame
You need to use a rear sump oil pan. Lots of info on Fordbarn Do a SEARCH on REAR SUMP OIL PAN and info like this appears. https://www.fordbarn.com/forum/showthread.php?t=305811&highlight=rear+sump+oil+pan
This ^^^^^ is the correct way to deal with it. or you can take a ball peen to the oil pan. I have done that too.
look 4 posts above yours. he already put a rear sump on it. he still needs to address the steering arms
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