Hello all. I am new to this forum. I am working on a 1960 f100 custom cab. I've added p/o steering, 5sp trans. a little body and paint work. I just installed mono springs. I was able to find shocks from Napa with the right stroke but I still feel I am getting to much after bounce when hitting a bump. I believe the dampening of this particular shock might be to weak for this pickup. If anyone has done this installation and can help me I would appreciate it. I was thinking of doubling up and adding another shock in the front. What ya'll think.

 

Are the mono springs rated heavier than what was there? You could find stiffer shocks as well.

 

The mono springs have less friction than the stock springs, hence less damping. You will need more damping from the shocks. You might check with the outfit you got the springs from for a recommendation. You could also try a shock from something like a late 77 to 79 F250 4x4.

 

The problem I am running into is the length of the shock or travel. I only have about two inches of travel. Suspension down in run position is 11 inches up off the ground is 13 inches. Hard to find that short of shock with the damping I need. That's why I was thinking of adding another shock.

 

What motor do you have and what kind of 5 speed did you install?

 

I have a 223 six with a 95 mustang 5 sp behind it and 3.73 rear end.

 

Thanks. How much trouble was the engine/transmission linkage?

 

If you only have about two inches of suspension travel, you might have to go with specialty shocks. One reason I suggested shocks from a late 77 to 79 F250 4x4 is that in normal use the front springs did not have much travel, and they had enough damping. Try a shock with at least a 1-5/8 inch diameter. You can also mount the shocks at an angle to get more stroke.

 

No trouble. It comes up just in front of the seat. The way I have it, you can't move the seat forward but with a little more bend in the shifter I could. The shifter has to be bent about 1and 1/2 inches forward of the seat. I made my own out of 1/2 inch flat steal. It came out good and I don't have to lean forward while shifting. It's a clean set up.

 

I meant to ask what you had to do to get the bell housing of the Mustang transmission to bolt to the 223. I had actually thought to ask about the shifter location this morning.

Sorry to hijack your "shocks" thread.

 

On the 60 the angle of the shock is an angle already. Also it has studs instead of eyes at the shocks which make it a little harder to find. I have a few ideas but was hoping I might run into someone who had been in this predicament themselves.
Thanks for the info on the 77to79 f250, I'll check into that. Might you know of any one who makes custom shocks? I can live with it the way it is but I don't feel it is right. In the end I might have to make a change in the way they are mounted to get what I want out of it. Or try to double shock, still looking into that. It's a driver so I have to pay attention to what I'm doing.

 

Hay Larry,
No problem. The easiest is to use a three speed bell off a 223 engine. The bottom two holes line up with the t5 trans. The top two have to be slugged and re drilled. I found you could use the bell of the t-98 but it would require more modification. The depth of the 3 and 4 speed bells are the same. I had my bell modified by John Mummert out of El Cajon CA. 619-596-0312. You cluld use any machine shop as long as you know the right info to do it. He has all the info on the change over. Cost me around 512.00 out the door and shipped to me. I had to ship the bell to him. He sends you the clutch disc and pressure plate and a special through out bearing made up to fit the mustang t5 and a pilot bearing. It's a clean set up. If you want more info let me know and we can exchange e-mails and talk more about it. I could send pic's that way too.

 

Hi guys,
I know this post is kinda old but I'm also looking for shocks for a lowered mono-leaf 1960 f100 292... My issue is that I only have about 1.5" of clearance between the rear axel housing and the chassis... bumpy roads mean I'm crashing the suspension: not cool in my world (I've just bought the truck, shipped from TX to Australia). Can anyone advise? I was kind of hoping for adjustable air lift shocks so I can get it up another inch or so to save $ on having to do all the leaf springs again. I'm not able to find more cash to replace it all. H-E-L-P.
Nick.

 

If you are working on the rear axle I don't think shocks are going to be the answer for you. Most guy's are notching the frame. You might look into a air bag system to mount on the axle. Shocks are not going to limit the travel much at all, if any. In my case I was able to finally get the shocks from Sacramento Vintage that are designed to go with the front mono leafs. They are shorter and dampen enough to stop the after bonce. I don't remember right now if they have shocks to go to the rear mono leafs.