[fasttrain49]

i'm modifying an s10 frame so i can put a 40 ford body on it. i was thinking about cutting off the rear portion of the frame just behind the rear axle and converting to coil spring rear suspension. i was wondering if you could cut the leaf springs just aft of the rear axle and use the front of the leaf springs for lower trailing arms. looks like it would work fine. just wondering........

 

[ericnova72]

You could, it is a rather crude way to do things and you will have to add a panhard rod to keep the rear located side-to-side, the 1/2 leaf will no longer have any locating ability. I have also seen this done where a tubular link was constructed to fit the front leaf mount and axle pad in place of the 1/2 leaf and it looked a lot better. It was for an air-bagged application.

I have to ask what you think you are going to gain from this set-up??

Putting a modern front suspension(like Mustang II) and rear axle under the 40 frame is a much smarter move. You are going to have to extensively modify the floor pan to fit the truck frame. I guess I just don't understand why so many people have jumped onto this stupid truck frame re-body idea. It doesn't save you any work, or money either really. Maybe you could explain it??

 

[joe_padavano]

Yeah, except for the part about the springs beind designed to flex...

 

[NEW INTERIORS]

I do have to say, It is much easier to make the mods to the ford frame.I would not do what your planning..But that's just the way I do things...Good luck.....

 

[fasttrain49]

s10 suspension

first off, i don't have 40 ford frame money. second, the body is fiberglass and will fit the s10 chassis pretty nice except for the rear area. what i will probably do is bob the rear and run a 4 link and then make the rails follow the trunk floor. why go this route? lack of dough. the leaf spring idea just looked as though it mite work and save a little work.....

 

[ericnova72]

Understood, I wondered about a Fiberglass body after I posted as a friend did a 41 Willys glass car with an S-10 frame. The leaf idea will work fine if you don't intend to put much power to it, I would guess 300 hp or less. Clamp all of the leaves together at the tip of each one or make a tube link to bolt to the leaf pad on the housing and pivot at the original leaf eye bracket on the frame.