- Converts original transverse leaf to modern parallel leaf spring design
- Bolt-in design makes conversion easy, only leaf spring perches require welding
- Facilitates the use of more conventional rear axle choices, including Ford’s 9-inch
- Includes AFCO Street Rod gas charged shocks for vastly improved ride quality
- Easily installs on both stock and aftermarket frame rails
- Installation provides an approximate 4-inch ride height reduction
- Fits 1935-1941 Ford 1/2-ton pickup and 1935-1940 Ford car applications
- Kit includes 7-gauge steel leaf spring and shackle mounting plates and all hardware
- Optional 7/8-inch sway bar kit available that bolts to original friction shock mounts
Give Your ’35-’41 Ford A Better Ride with Our Bolt-on Parallel Leaf Spring Kit
Pre-war Ford trucks and “fat fendered” Ford cars are staples in the hot rod universe. Their classic lines have enthusiasts clamoring to build one still to this day over eight decades later. We know that there are numerous options when building one of these classic fat fender Ford cars or 1/2-ton pickups. Chassis and suspension, brakes, driveline, and more are all decisions that need to be made where all the parts play nice with each other and fit into your budget and build schedule. No one wants to go into a build without a solid plan, because that’s when project cars tend to languish, budgets go out the window, and interest is lost.
One critical area of your build is going to be suspension, as the original suspension is quite lacking as far as suspensions go today. Both the front and rear suspensions are solid axle with a transverse leaf spring suspension. Rudimentary by the standards of the day and the ride of an ox cart by today’s suspension options that are available. We offer a trick bolt-in IFS for these vehicles that makes converting to the popular Mustang II IFS front end an easy project. Simply bolt in the IFS crossmember and build your MII front end to suit your needs.
As for the rear suspension in this era of Fords, upgrading not only improves the ride quality but will eliminate many project headaches by ditching the original banjo-style rear end with torque tube. Being able to upgrade to a more commonly used axle housing, such as the venerable Ford 9-inch, with a traditional driveshaft coupling, and drum or disc brakes will make your build that much safer, stronger, and more enjoyable on the road. Not to mention if you need any emergency repair bits on a road trip these items will be much easier to source than the original style rear axle/suspension bits. Our bolt-in parallel leaf spring rear suspension kit not only vastly improves ride quality of your fat fendered Ford but opens the door to all manner of rear axle, driveline, and brake upgrades you should have planned for your build anyway!
Improved Ride with Parallel Leaf Springs and Gas Charged Tube Shocks
The factory transverse leaf spring rear suspension not only takes up a lot of room, but the original friction-style shocks are century old technology that hurt ride quality more than they help it these days. Moving to a parallel leaf spring setup provides for more clearance to fit exhaust systems and modern rear axle assemblies. The Super Glide leaf springs in our kit feature four leafs in the spring pack and are standard 2-1/2-inch wide leafs in a bare steel finish. Eye to eye they measure 47-1/2 inches in length, with a standard/reverse eye design.
The front eyes are bushed while the rear eyes use the included shackle kit’s bushings. Together, these springs weigh less than the factory transverse spring pack, reducing unsprung weight for better ride and handling. The AFCO Street Rod shocks are gas charged with a 14-1/2-inch free length and come black painted. These shocks are designed to complement the spring rate for a significant improvement in ride quality. An optional 7/8-inch sway bar kit is available that uses the factory friction shock mounting pads on the frame rails for improved handling as well.
Fitment Note: The factory spare tire sump/well will need to be modified to clear the upper shock mounts. Minor trimming or reshaping may be required for proper fit and suspension travel. Test fit all parts before final assembly.
Heavy Gauge Steel Mounting Brackets Provide Installation Strength
Included in the kit are 7-gauge front leaf spring mounts and rear leaf spring shackle mounts with hardware. You’ll also receive a 2x2-inch bolt-in crossmember for upper shock mounting, leaf spring mounting plates with U-bolts (fits 3-inch axle tubes), zinc plated spring shackle kit, and a pair of weld-on leaf spring pads for your choice of rear axle with 3-inch tubes. Shock mounting hardware is also included. This is a complete bolt-in kit for stock or aftermarket 1935-1940 Ford truck frame rails or car frame rails with only fitment, alignment, drilling of mounting holes required for installation on the frame. You will need to confirm pinion angle and axle centering to tack weld the leaf spring pads to your axle tubes, which then the leaf spring pads can be fully welded with the axle removed from the car. Step-by-step fully illustrated instructions with frame and axle housing dimensions are included to make your installation a breeze and have your fat fender Ford riding smoother and handling better.
