All Six [SoCal][1957][F100] Suspension Part Deux

[OzzLpZ]

After literal months of weighing suspension options, I decided to stick with my solid axles and leaf springs. I am not fully 100% why, just something about the solid axle and leaf springs that I love. Not to mention that I don't plan on gunning my truck, it's going to be my daily driver, and I don't really have a problem with the ride quality of the stock setup. So here's what I was thinking going forward. I plan on using modern truck tires, 17" wheels/rims, and lowering it a bit. Drop front axle, rear hangers and shackles, keeping rear axle below springs, and using stock style springs all around. Probably some 3" body mount spacers too for tire clearance. But I do have a couple of questions that maybe someone on here can guide me on.

1. During my trip down the rabbit hole, I am not really finding spring hangers and shackles for my year/generation of trucks. I see tons of options for the prior generation. I know to extent that Ford tends to use the same parts/locations/etc. across many years. So would the suspension hardware made for pre-57 F100's be a direct fit/bolt-on for my '57 truck as well?
2. I have been looking into "reverse shackles" for the front suspension, hanger in front of the spring, and shackle on the rear of the spring. Allowing the axles to travel more efficiently and better when going over bumps and road deformations. I'm reading a lot of mixed opinions on it online. Has anyone here done this mod, and does it really make a positive difference in ride quality and handling?
3. My last question is dually's. Outside of the cool badass factor, is it worth it? If so, which model should I be looking at? I'm assuming from Dayna are the defacto axles to get lol

 

[bubba22349]

After literal months of weighing suspension options, I decided to stick with my solid axles and leaf springs. I am not fully 100% why, just something about the solid axle and leaf springs that I love. Not to mention that I don't plan on gunning my truck, it's going to be my daily driver, and I don't really have a problem with the ride quality of the stock setup. So here's what I was thinking going forward. I plan on using modern truck tires, 17" wheels/rims, and lowering it a bit. Drop front axle, rear hangers and shackles, keeping rear axle below springs, and using stock style springs all around. Probably some 3" body mount spacers too for tire clearance. But I do have a couple of questions that maybe someone on here can guide me on.

1. During my trip down the rabbit hole, I am not really finding spring hangers and shackles for my year/generation of trucks. I see tons of options for the prior generation. I know to extent that Ford tends to use the same parts/locations/etc. across many years. So would the suspension hardware made for pre-57 F100's be a direct fit/bolt-on for my '57 truck as well?
2. I have been looking into "reverse shackles" for the front suspension, hanger in front of the spring, and shackle on the rear of the spring. Allowing the axles to travel more efficiently and better when going over bumps and road deformations. I'm reading a lot of mixed opinions on it online. Has anyone here done this mod, and does it really make a positive difference in ride quality and handling?
3. My last question is dually's. Outside of the cool badass factor, is it worth it? If so, which model should I be looking at? I'm assuming from Dayna are the defacto axles to get lol

Hi OzzLpZ,
1. There are very few parts that are direct fit from the 1948 to 1951 F1's or the 1952 to 1956 F100 that would work on your 1957 F100. None of the Suspension Parts like spring hangers and shackles will work on the 1957 to 1960's. This place has the Spring Pin's and Shackles for the 1957 to 1960's for the Front and Rear suspension. https://www.performanceonline.com/Spring-Pins-Bushings-Shackle-Kits/
2. The "reverse shackles" are not going to fit or work on the Front or Rear suspension without making some major changes to the Trucks Frame basically it would need to be totally redesigned. You could have all the springs Modded with Reversed Spring Eyes to lower it some and do a Rear Axel Flip this would lower the rear significantly along with your Dropped front axle install its very easy and fairly cheap to do just a little welding. There are ways to get the stock springs to ride smoother to check out how the Possi Supper Slide Springs are made for the early Fords like a 1932.
3. Yes most of the Dually Axles you can find now days will be those out of a F-350 and some E-350's (much more Rare) Dana 70's there were the Spicer Dually's before that form roughly 1952 to 1960 plenty strong if you can find one. I don't think its worth it and adds a lot of extra sprung weight on the rear of a Short Bed Truck its somewhat better for a Long Bed pickup. Then there is the two different Bolt Pattern Wheels also having to carry a couple of spare wheel tires, unless you also go to the F350 Front Suspension too. But its not really that bad of a job it would be some hard work and Labor intensive to do if you really wanted to you could even find an F350 Chassis then use your Cab on it or even find a complete truck reasonable to build. Good luck

 

[OzzLpZ]

Hi OzzLpZ,
1. There are very few parts that are direct fit from the 1948 to 1951 F1's or the 1952 to 1956 F100 that would work on your 1957 F100. None of the Suspension Parts like spring hangers and shackles will work on the 1957 to 1960's. This place has the Spring Pin's and Shackles for the 1957 to 1960's for the Front and Rear suspension. https://www.performanceonline.com/Spring-Pins-Bushings-Shackle-Kits/
2. The "reverse shackles" are not going to fit or work on the Front or Rear suspension without making some major changes to the Trucks Frame basically it would need to be totally redesigned. You could have all the springs Modded with Reversed Spring Eyes to lower it some and do a Rear Axel Flip this would lower the rear significantly along with your Dropped front axle install its very easy and fairly cheap to do just a little welding. There are ways to get the stock springs to ride smoother to check out how the Possi Supper Slide Springs are made for the early Fords like a 1932.
3. Yes most of the Dually Axles you can find now days will be those out of a F-350 and some E-350's (much more Rare) Dana 70's there were the Spicer Dually's before that form roughly 1952 to 1960 plenty strong if you can find one. I don't think its worth it and adds a lot of extra sprung weight on the rear of a Short Bed Truck its somewhat better for a Long Bed pickup. Then there is the two different Bolt Pattern Wheels also having to carry a couple of spare wheel tires, unless you also go to the F350 Front Suspension too. But its not really that bad of a job it would be some hard work and Labor intensive to do if you really wanted to you could even find an F350 Chassis then use your Cab on it or even find a complete truck reasonable to build. Good luck

Thank you for the insight. Deep down I had a feeling that suspension parts from like a '56 wouldn't fit my year, but I didn't think it would hurt to ask.
A google search for the Possi springs pulled up these guys, http://www.posiesrodsandcustoms.com/posies-classic-truck-springs/, are they who you were mentioning?
Yeah, I didn't think the Dually's was a practical mod outside of the badass appeal.
Another quick question, my workspace is quite limited, along with other variables. Is there a shop you recommend that could perform the work that I can't? If I remember correctly, you mentioned being familiar with the SoCal area. Thank you.

 

[rlbarton]

Back in the day ( 80's ) it was quite popular to do a front shackle reverse on jeeps. I did do it on my 79 cj and it was worth it in both for ride quality and off road manners. Having the axle be able to shift / lengthen rear ward when compressing is a more natural movement as the tire moves up to go over the uneven terrain. It was worth the efforts in that particular case. But kit were cheap and easy to install on cj's. Would it help. or be worth the efforts in this case? I have no real-world experience. Interesting idea though. If you choose to go down this road, please let us know. I for one am intrigued .

 

[bubba22349]

Thank you for the insight. Deep down I had a feeling that suspension parts from like a '56 wouldn't fit my year, but I didn't think it would hurt to ask.
A google search for the Possi springs pulled up these guys, http://www.posiesrodsandcustoms.com/posies-classic-truck-springs/, are they who you were mentioning?
Yeah, I didn't think the Dually's was a practical mod outside of the badass appeal.
Another quick question, my workspace is quite limited, along with other variables. Is there a shop you recommend that could perform the work that I can't? If I remember correctly, you mentioned being familiar with the SoCal area. Thank you.

Yes that's the Posies Springs I was talking about guess was off some on the spelling they are about the very best for a great Leaf Spring Ride unless you want to do some Modding of the stock springs yourself then you can come very close. Right now I personally don't know anyone in the SoCal Area that is still in business all my buddy's have moved out of Calif. or retired. I did recently start doing some work here at my shop to keep myself busy and I have heard quite a bit about one shop in or near the Hollywood area "Hollywood Hot Rod's" their doing some top quality custom work its probably quite expensive and hard to get on their work list. https://www.hollywoodhotrods.com/
There are still lots of other Hot Rod Shops all over in the SoCal Area if you look for them, but sorry I don't really know about them. You really don't need much room to do this kind of work a Car Port or Single Car Garage was big enough to build many Car Project's. Best of luck