Ford F-1 Rearend - Pulling Up The Rear

With the frame all squared up and repaired, the rear shackle assembly could be installed, bolting the springs to the chassis. Note that the front spring mount is bolted directly to the frame bracket, and the rear bolts to a shackle assembly that attaches the spring to the frame.

The next step is to place the spring plates under the springs and to install the U-bolts. There are also shock studs that need to be installed on the plates, too. When the plates are installed on the springs, the shock studs should be under the plate and pointed rearward.

The last step is to install the shock crossmember. This bolts between the framerails, slightly behind the rearend and will add a bit of rigidity to the chassis.

To locate the shock crossmember, scribe a line 28 1/8-inch in front of the rear bed bolt hole on top of each 'rail. Center the crossmember in relation to the chassis and mark your hole centers.

The final hole is going to be 5/8-inch, but it's a good idea to start out with something smaller and work your way up form there. The top framerail was drilled firstand the crossmember put in place. Once it was determined that the crossmember was level, the lower framerail was marked and drilled as well.

Here's the new setup, ready to be blown apart and painted. Note how the mounting tubes on the shock crossmember point forward to locate the upper shock mount. The original crossmember in front of the rearend will remain to stiffen up the chassis between the rearend and the transmission mount.