Hot Rods Front end too low on a 1939 ford

I just bought a 1939 ford coupe, sits too low in the front . Has a 4 " dropped axle and a reversed eye spring. Besides changing the front axle what can I do to raise the front a few inches? Thanks

 

Pull the spring apart and un- reverse the main leaf. Simle procedure, just use the search function. That wouid be my first step. Maybe the previous owner removed too many leafs trying to tune the ride ?? Mitch

 

If you ain't draggin', you ain't low enough.

 

Thanks , but I dont have the tools to reverse the eye. I was thinking of replacing the main leaf with a stock one . Or someone mentioned installing a spacer between the spring and crossmember

 

Replacing with a non reversed eye spring would be my first change
It’s the easiest

 

I was thinking the same , but not having luck finding a stock type of spring

 

Posies doesn’t have one?

 

Every 39 came with one and every hot rodder would rather have a reversed eye spring. Put a classified ad on the HAMB to trade.

 

a spacer would be really easy.

Sent from my Chromebook 11 Model 3180 using The H.A.M.B. mobile app

 

Tire size?

 

Any pics?

 

You don't "reverse" the eyes, you re-arch the spring back to original. A good vice and heavy sledge hammer is all that's needed. A piece of thick 1/2" steel with a section of a Grade 8 bolt welded to it would be better and easier. It's not rocket science.

 

Yeah..pics..

 

I don't have a spring apart to show photos. It takes time hitting the spring between the bolt and where it touches the plate. The distance should be 3-4" and hit it in the center moving the spring 2-3" between hits. It's easier to add arching in the same direction. To Reverse it, the process needs to be above the ground. I usually do it on the garage floor.

 

It shouldn't be hard to find someone in the area who would swap springs with you. I would count leaves and compare the count for a stock spring for that car though as someone may also have removed leaves to get it that low.
A search shows that there are a number of spring shops in your area with Somerset spring and chassis LLC in Bridgwater being not much more than a beer run away.

568 Central Avenue Building 3
Bridgewater, New Jersey 08807
Get Directions

(908) 725-8547
They can probably rework the main leaf or all of the leaves easily enough.

 

First, make sure you have the correct number of leaves for a '39 spring. If you do, reversing the main leaf back to original will raise the car 1 inch. Installing the stock axle will raise the car 2 inches. You could also add leafs to the stock spring but then you will need new U-bolts. You will also need longer U-bolts if you add a spacer. What size tires are you running? Installing the correct OEM tires and rims will raise the car too. If you want to do it right, install the OEM axle. Double check to see if your steering arms have been dropped. To avoid changing the axle you could also install a complete original 1939 or 40 Ford front suspension. They are frequently posted for sale.

 

You can reverse the spring yourself in about 20 minutes with a cheap ass harbor freight press..

 

Dropped axle and reverse eye spring shouldn't be too low at all on a 39.
Post a pic.

 

My wife does all of our spring leaves on a souped-up HF press. Air over hydraulic ram made it much faster...foot operated valve.

 

Thanks for the feedback I located a stock spring that I'm installing

 

Call Stanley Spring Dayton Corp. Harrisburg Pa. They will have one or will make you one. They make the springs for Posies

 

First photo is of a stock 40 with stock OEM front spring. Click on the link and look at Post #3 which shows same 40 with only a Posie #2040 reversed eye spring installed.
It lowered the car 1 in. You can barely see the rake. See first photo in post #3 in thread below. The "red wheels" photo is the way the car looks today.
https://www.fordbarn.com/forum/showthread.php?t=77931&highlight=reversed+eye+spring
Please post a photo of your 39. The OEM spring for a 39 and 40 Ford coupe was a 10 leaf spring,#01A-5310B. Number should be stamped on top leaf of the spring.

 

You could add a little arch to the spring. Sometimes we forget that a spring can be arched as well as dearched.

 

A 1939 /40 Ford too low, Blasphemy! HRP

 

More than likely the rear axle is too high.
Show a picture.

 

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Looking at your other rides, they are all jacked up.

We need pictures of this too low front suspension. HRP