1957 F100 build

[Stormystorm]

Starting a build thread here.

Howdy hello hola
I bought this truck from my dad who bought it from his best friends uncle in Baja when I was a kid. He started working on it but it fell to the wayside as his health declined and life got in the way. Fast forward to 2018 after several years of mentioning I wanted it he called me and asked if I was still interested. He had multiple offers from door knocking folks. I told him I was and cut him a check. 2000 bucks later I owned a truck. Fast forward again to October 2024 two babies and two houses later I finally got my truck to my house and started working on it.

Cleaned the cab of rats nest and so my kids could sit inside.

Finally started in on my suspension and axle flipped the rear.

After trying to flip the rear leaf spring hanger I found out that the stock hanger wouldn’t work upside down. The leaf hit the side. Broken hearted I put it back in a stock configuration and bolted it on with grade 8 bolts.

Moved to the front. And trying to decide which route to go. I’d like stay low budget and just remove leaves or axle flip for now but I’m not so sure. I redid the leaf pack from 1-2-3-4-5-6 to 6-4-3-5-1-2 this raised the axle about two inches so I’m curious about how it will look when I complete the other side.


After tonight I’ll post results from the experiment. I’d imagine it’ll ride stiff? But sit low.

That’s all for now

Hasta la proxima

 

[gene49]

It appears the terms we are using may not mean the same to you as they mean to me. Please help me understand what your terms mean, so we are both talking the same thing. I'm an old auto tech, we had specific meanings for specific words. I just want to be sure we are both thinking the same way, before we get something twisted up.

You stated that you "Finally started in on my suspension and axle flipped the rear."
What did you do when you "axle flipped the rear"? Did you separate the axle from the leaf springs, or did you disconnect the springs from the truck and do something with the entire rear end?

Then you stated "After trying to flip the rear spring hanger I found out the stock hanger wouldn't work upside down. The leaf hit the side. Broken hearted I put it back in a stock condition and bolted it on with grade 8 bolts.
Were you also trying to flip the rear spring hangers after you "axle flipped the rear"? Or were the rear spring hangers part of the "axle flipped rear"? I do understand the leaf hitting the side "of the frame" and I understand bolting the spring hanger back to its stock condition with grade 8 bolts. You did good there.

What I'm not sure of is if the rear axle is still flipped? If the picture of the spring and axle is on the rear, at the point you are at now, that looks pretty good to me! If the picture of the tire in the fender opening is also on the rear, you got a good 3"-4" of drop.

I'm not sure I grasp what "I redid the leaf pack from 1-2-3-4-5-6 to 6-5-4-3-2-1 that raised the axle about two inches" means. Did you take the leaf springs from under the main spring and move them from under the main to above the main spring then bolt the axle back on? And was that on the front axle or the rear axle?

One more question, in the stock condition, were your axles above the springs or below the springs? This could be really easy for you!

I really am not trying to hijack your build thread.

 

[Stormystorm]

It appears the terms we are using may not mean the same to you as they mean to me. Please help me understand what your terms mean, so we are both talking the same thing. I'm an old auto tech, we had specific meanings for specific words. I just want to be sure we are both thinking the same way, before we get something twisted up.

You stated that you "Finally started in on my suspension and axle flipped the rear."
What did you do when you "axle flipped the rear"? Did you separate the axle from the leaf springs, or did you disconnect the springs from the truck and do something with the entire rear end?

Then you stated "After trying to flip the rear spring hanger I found out the stock hanger wouldn't work upside down. The leaf hit the side. Broken hearted I put it back in a stock condition and bolted it on with grade 8 bolts.
Were you also trying to flip the rear spring hangers after you "axle flipped the rear"? Or were the rear spring hangers part of the "axle flipped rear"? I do understand the leaf hitting the side "of the frame" and I understand bolting the spring hanger back to its stock condition with grade 8 bolts. You did good there.

What I'm not sure of is if the rear axle is still flipped? If the picture of the spring and axle is on the rear, at the point you are at now, that looks pretty good to me! If the picture of the tire in the fender opening is also on the rear, you got a good 3"-4" of drop.

I'm not sure I grasp what "I redid the leaf pack from 1-2-3-4-5-6 to 6-5-4-3-2-1 that raised the axle about two inches" means. Did you take the leaf springs from under the main spring and move them from under the main to above the main spring then bolt the axle back on? And was that on the front axle or the rear axle?

One more question, in the stock condition, were your axles above the springs or below the springs? This could be really easy for you!

I really am not trying to hijack your build thread.

Those are all great questions and I can be more clear.

The “rear axle flip” in the way I meant is taking the axle from below the leaf springs and placing above the leaf springs for a drop of 5-6” I got 6 total

The hanger flip was my first choice to lower the truck without having spend any cash but I bought the axle flip bracket as a bonus.

The total drop I plan on is about where it’s at roughly 6” I need to do a c-notch to get some travel back but for now I’ve got 1”-1.5” of travel.

For the front end I ended up placing a few of the springs on top of the leaf pick like you described. I believe it was 6-5-4-1-2-3

The main reason was the u-bolts wouldn’t work as there isn’t enough thread to secure the leafs down. The reshuffle to leaves on top actually netted me a drop of 2” so really not bad for 1-1.5 hours of work. It essentially takes the top springs out of play

Stock setup my axles were below the springs.

Total ride height went from a front wheel well height of 29” to 27” and the rear went from 31.5” to 25”

I can absolutely can live with the results and I love the stance.

Sorry for the crap picture my phone lens broke last night when my toddler pushed it off the island in my kitchen during dinner

 

[Old Iron]

I like the stance too

 

[Stormystorm]

I like the stance too

Thank you. For pretty minimal effort I think I nailed the whole thing. Now will be going through and retightening and double checking the bolts. And then I’ll start in on bumpers. I’m not sure about going “nude” or changing to a different look.

We will see.

 

[Stormystorm]

Stance.

27” front wheel well to ground

25” rear wheel well to ground

Good suspension travel all around.

About as comfortable as I am going low for now. Total cost $70 for axle flip kit and 10 hours labor.

Happy for now. Now motor work to make it run well enough for a daily driver and possibly shave bumpers we will see.

Hasta la promixa

 

[jared nelson]

Looking good, love that Era truck! Thought you might like some inspiration, this is a friend's truck, I don't know specifics of the suspension though ...ADD kick into high gear when..Squirrel! I visit his shop lol

 

[Stormystorm]

Beautiful truck. Please do ask.

 

[jared nelson]

Beautiful truck. Please do ask.

I have to warn you, shes a "Why? Well, why not?" build, 460 and QA1 all around, 4 link rear.

 

[Stormystorm]

I have to warn you, shes a "Why? Well, why not?" build, 460 and QA1 all around, 4 link rear.

That’s cool I have some ideas and available pieces for a crown Victoria front end and a v8 swap but for now it’s where I want and well with in my budget.

Gorgeous truck though very impressive looking

 

[gene49]

I'm happy to report our terms match up on the axle flip.
On the front, the leafs that are above the main leaf don't add much support (as they are now, they are just lifting the axle off the main leaf), but I am assuming the leafs above the main are the shorter leafs, so you should be OK. You will want to keep an eye on those front springs, they may start to sag pretty quickly, and you won't want that (it will look cool, but can cause a bunch of problems).

I like the current stance as well.
Does that mean the frame swap and CV clip are on hold for right now?

 

[Stormystorm]

I'm happy to report our terms match up on the axle flip.
On the front, the leafs that are above the main leaf don't add much support (as they are now, they are just lifting the axle off the main leaf), but I am assuming the leafs above the main are the shorter leafs, so you should be OK. You will want to keep an eye on those front springs, they may start to sag pretty quickly, and you won't want that (it will look cool, but can cause a bunch of problems).

I like the current stance as well.
Does that mean the frame swap and CV clip are on hold for right now?

Definitely will be watching those springs. It’s not the best way but will have to do until I get a drop axle or feel froggy enough to take in a CV swap.

The swap is definitely not off the table. On hold for the time being. I traded my brother beer and a California burrito for a 2008 P71 cop car that doesn’t have any forward gears. (Very smoking deal)

I plan to use the front suspension and sell the rest to fund some other pieces for the truck build. Looking at as much media as I can about the swap it doesn’t look that intimidating but my hold up is the rear axle. I’ll have to swap to an explorer axle which is fine just kinda annoying.

It’ll probably be a next year or so project for now I feel good and want to get it ready to daily in the spring once the weather warms up here in the eastern sierra.

 

[Old Iron]

I'd be changing out the bumpers on yours to the ones like the black truck.

 

[Stormystorm]

I'd be changing out the bumpers on yours to the ones like the black truck.

You’re reading my mind. That back bumper kills me. It looks so dumb and isn’t even the right size. I’ve been soaking the bolts with ATF & gas mix to make removing them easier. Hopefully they are ready soon.

 

[jared nelson]

Crown vic swaps are the only way to go in my opinion (well when you can anyway) but why the exploder rear-end? why not use the vics?
bolt pattern matched front and already has disc brakes, It take alittle cleaning up but you already have it with the car.

 

[Stormystorm]

Crown vic swaps are the only way to go in my opinion (well when you can anyway) but why the exploder rear-end? why not use the vics?
bolt pattern matched front and already has disc brakes, It take alittle cleaning up but you already have it with the car.

Well good question I guess for ease of installation to stay with leaves but really thinking more about it yeah why not… the explorer does have discs and more aggressive gears but for ease and i already own a CV

And I’ve been reading about airbags and it would make that much easier.

Hmmm you kinda thrown a really cool curveball about such an obvious reason to go with a superior idea.

 

[jared nelson]

Haha happy to help! It's a great project so far and can't wait to see the progress!

 

[Stormystorm]

Haha happy to help! It's a great project so far and can't wait to see the progress!

Thank you so much. Yeah you went and filled my head with all sorts of possibilities to really get the truck down in the weeds.

Airbags would be fun and a huge step notch….
Hmm

 

[Stormystorm]

Finally got the bumper off. I like the look but now I’ve got to start my search for a correct one to replace it.

Started my research into swapping in the CV rear end. It seems like the info is conflicting weather or not it works well or not. So I’m going to go for it and adjust after. Thanks a lot Jared Nelson!

If I understand correctly I can use CV wheels and still fit inside the fenders?

Planning to use the rear leaf spring hanger as the lower 4 link mount add the upper mounts to the inside of the frame after boxing in the frame.

Air bags all around and a 10” step notch to get this truck all the way down. compressor mounted in the frame probably inside an ammo can for road safety. The air tank if I can I’ll mount under the truck too for a clean bed.

For the controls, I’m excited to install them in the ashtray. I want a clean looking dash and the ashtray will be a cool custom feature. Unfortunately the PO cut a radio into the dash… so I plan to make the opening a three gauge cluster front rear and tank PSI. Throwing around a few ideas for the bezel. Custom wood or pour a cast aluminum bezel for a funky custom look

Once I install the CV front end the next lowest point of the truck will be the transmission cross member. So I’ll have to figure a way to cut that and bring it up.


Hasta la promixa

 

[jared nelson]

good stuff lol, sense I unintentionally fueled a fire, and recently pulled the rear axle out of a donor town car I took some rough measurements,
57 inchs outside to outside of brackets
70 inchs hub to hub (roughly still has tire and a donut on it) Google says their 65 inches
My 59s inner box above wheel wells was like 74 inches rough.
Then my buddy showed up and we finished up installing the car hoist
looks like going to tight, alot measuring and fab work. but as we know dropping them to the dirt takes effort. ill probably be back to shop tomorrow agian I theres anything else I can get measurements on so you don't have to relu on Google or crawl under a dead vic.