T front end

[RodStRace]

Even if you bought a quality kit there are going to be some fitment issues. I am not putting down the fine folks that build and sell them, but each car goes together with some changes. Buying an incomplete project adds to this.
Read through the build threads here, research each system and component, develop a plan and try to plan for how to revamp if and when needed.
This guy bought a kit, built it and drove it on Power Tour. It's a document of how he did it and the issues and fixes. Probably a good idea to see what's involved.

Speedway Motors 1923 Ford T Bucket Hot Rod

1923 Ford Model T Roadster from Speedway Motors

www.youtube.com

 

[WInderout]

Thread 'To shock, or not to shock? That is the question! Whether it tis better. . ...'

Jan 30, 2024

I recently acquired a second-hand T-Bucket project that has never been completed. The front end has no shocks and no shock mounts. It has a transverse leaf spring front suspension. Anybody running one of these front ends without shocks? The travel seems so limited I'm not sure that they're necessary?!

• Jack Henderson
• Replies: 26
• Forum: Suspension

 

[Hackerbilt]

What's everyone's thought on how the front crossmember is attached to the frame?
RPM is dead on with the perch being wrong. I dealt with the same situation myself on my T.
The original builder had 2"+ of aluminum spacer to get a 4" ride height. I could deal with the height but not how the spacers looked.
My T was long wheelbase so I made adapters to convert my tube axle to spring over. That shortened the wheelbase to where I liked it and gave me 4" plus a bit, ride height with no spacers. I really liked the spring over look as well so a bunch of wins there in total. I never did get to putting the tie rod out back so Ackerman was a problem in tight 90* turns...parking lots etc. It IS fixable with a front tie rod of course. You just need the proper steering arms. Notice the spacers in the shop pic compared to the spring over out in the driveway.

 

[RodStRace]

Much nicer! Although it appears that the spring mount has not changed which means it's still got a bit of leverage due to it being higher than the front crossmember, the loss of the spacer makes it look a lot better designed and engineered. No more High mount being adapted to a lower spring position. One less part, too which fits in the basic simple "only the basics" premise.
As for ackerman, it looks like it's going to be a major effort to go to a rear tie rod with space very limited. Especially with the spring over shorter wheelbase. If trying to do it with a front tie rod, the arms need to be wider than the kingpins, which tends to push the wheel/tire out more, causing scrub radius issues. It's all a balancing act!