All Effie'd Up
I had to e-mail you after this past issue I received (actually, it's my girlfriend's subscription). I've been following the "other F-100" articles closely. By this I mean the '57-60 segments you've been starting to pick up on (pun intended). I've been an owner of three of these years of trucks-a '60, a '59, and presently a '57 F-250 long Stepside that was once owned by the Hubley Manufacturing Company of Lancaster, Pennsylvania. I've always been a fan of these ugly ducklings, but Gary Coe's F-157 proves there's another side to these boxy pick 'em ups. Thanks again, and keep truckin'
Jason Hoeltzle
Wrightsville PA
P.S. Hope to see ya out at the next SuperNationals in Tennessee with the '57-its 50th birthday. That goes out to any '57 F-series owners! Bring 'em out in force, folks!
I was thinking we'd have a pretty good response to the buildup on the '60 Ford, especially considering we started off with a dropped axle rather than automatically dropping a Mustang II under it like many assumed we would. As I write this, the F-100 is but a wiring job away from hitting the road, and I'm real anxious to not only see how it rides and handles the road, but how it handles the 392-cubic-inch Ford engine nestled above that tube-beam axle! If it's not a huge filling station magnet, we may just have to haul it out to Knoxville in May for the SuperNats, too.
Dig And Drop
What's up, Rob? Dig the mag, man, but I got some questions for ya. I have a '47 Chevy pickup that I want to keep primarily stock, but I desperately need to lower it. Now, with my budget, an IFS and four-link are out of the question, not to mention not stock. Currently, it's still running a stock tube rearend, which I would like to leave in (I know, I know), and I realize I can get lowered reverse eye leaves for the rear as well as the front. But here is my main question: Can I also use a 3-inch lowered front axle with the leaves for a more substantial drop (I figure about 6 or 7 inches)? If so, would I need to change the steering components or do any modifying to anything else? I know an IFS would be a better way, but like I said, not in the budget. Plus, this way I can add the lowered axle later on if I wanted more drop, which I'm sure that I will! Any advice would be a big help. Thanks! Oh yeah, love the new wood bed; that looks awesome!
Ty Scot
Via the Internet
Thanks for the compliments-on the mag and my truck! It's ironic that you ask the particular questions you did regarding suspension, because that's just how my truck was set up not more than a year ago. That's right, enclosed driveline and all, with reversed-eye rear springs sitting "under" the rearend housing. However, if you recall from the Walton Fabrication story I did with the '53's rear suspension, it also had enormous lowering blocks, which I wouldn't highly recommend, at least not the manner in which mine were done (open-ended rectangular tubing).
You can achieve a decent drop out back with lowered leaves and flipped spring pads (not as difficult on the early rearends, as they're not welded on). And since you're retaining the torque-tube rear, which won't "wrap" like an open one, if needed, using moderate lowering blocks will afford an additional height decrease. Up front, my truck currently has the modified setup it came with: de-arched springs and a Mor-Drop axle, which I believe is roughly a 5-incher. Though the steering is nowhere near perfect (just worn out), it hasn't been altered to accommodate the lowered suspension.
For your situation, if you're unable to find a suitable source to drop an I-beam, you do have an option, and it's one I recommend: Classic Performance Parts' 3-inch dropped axle kit. You can use your stock drums or upgrade to CPP's six-lug disc brake kit. Now keep in mind, though, if you're looking to achieve a severe drop, none of the above will put your truck on the ground, and they weren't meant to. From your letter, I don't think that's what you're after anyway. Good luck, and keep me posted on your progress.
So, What's It Gonna Be?
Great magazine you guys got going. I'm a fairly new reader of CLASSIC TRUCKS. I usually stick to the newer stuff, but I do enjoy your mag greatly. I was reading your story on the new Southern 408 recently. After I read the article, I went to check the Web site for the price and more info, mainly to see if a college student could afford such a masterpiece. On the site I only found the Southern 358 with a 4.6L Mustang V-8, but the same pictures that were in the article. I also found a section on the site advertising your article on The Southern 358. Was there a mix-up? Or perhaps there's a truck called the 408 that isn't on the site yet. Just thought I would point this out and get some info.
Ryan Freas
Via the Internet
Well, Ryan, as it turns out, Southern Motor Company made a few minor changes to their truck "post-article." The truck you see featured in our December '06 issue is/was The Southern 408. That model, which is basically the company's prototype, featured the Chevy LS-based drivetrain. However, since the article was published, Southern was forced to change its game plan and go with the Ford-based drivetrain illustrated on its Web site. Seems Ford Motor Company was more willing to work with Southern, primarily on providing an engine and trans package that could be serviced at any Ford dealership across the country, which was very important for a number of reasons. Most have questioned why Southern didn't just go with a typical "crate" setup, but when you factor in 50 state emissions standards, well, no crate engine is going to facilitate that and also have the serviceability the Ford setup does. Besides, when you think about it, though the truck is Chevy-inspired, it really isn't a Chevy or a Ford-it's a Southern 358! If anyone needs more info on the truck, please visit www.southernmotorcompany.com.