Maverick and Comet Forum Archives - Maverick/Comet Technical www.fordmaverick.com

#1 Maxx Levell For Those With 9" Rears...  
With the larger diameter axle tubes (3")...what did you do about the leaf spring plates? Did you just elongate the holes on the factory plates to fit the larger U-bolts, or fab new plates? Any pics would be great!



Thanks!
Message created at 08/26/10 09:32 AM
#2 Fro Re:For Those With 9" Rears...  
the rear end in my car is from a granada, the tubes were larger but i dont think they are 3 inch, anyway i just used the granada U bolts and plates and welded an extra ear on one plate for my shock ( 70's dont have staggerd shocks), I would think you should be able to find some big car plates and bolts or you could buy new bolts.
Message created at 08/26/10 05:43 PM
#3 Maxx Levell Re:For Those With 9" Rears...  
I measured the tubes when I got home from work, and they're actually 3.3x inches...the rear is from a 77 or 78 thunderbird...I'll definitely be getting new U bolts...just not sure if I can elongate the holes enough on my original plates to make them work or not.

I'm kind of locked in to use the plates I have for now because I made my Cal-Trac mounting brackets a part of the original plates lol (welded them to the factory plates). I may be able to get new flat plates, and then weld my plates to those :slap:... Mine is a 71, so the shock mounts are staggered for now. I should have just went ahead with coilovers...but I'm trying to avoid changing too many big things at once. I don't really want the car getting that far from baseline...I want to be able to check and evaluate changes...good or bad...and take it a bite at a time lol.

I supposed I could just fab up shock mounts, and new Cal-Trac brackets and weld them to new plates...

:banghead: It's the little things that kill lol...
Message created at 08/26/10 09:41 PM
#4 Fro Re:For Those With 9" Rears...  
Yes I know having a 65 mustang also you can just pick up a catalog and order any part you want, cant do that with a maverick
Message created at 08/26/10 09:51 PM
#5 PINKY Re:For Those With 9" Rears...  
I cannot help cause I don't run leaf springs :p
Tom it sounds like your getting things done on your maverick, thats great!
Message created at 09/01/10 07:47 PM
#6 jmgford Re:For Those With 9" Rears...  
I think you would have find some Pre-'65 full size Fords or T-birds to find shock plate for 3" tubes. I have Cal-Tracs on mine and they are slotted to fit any size tube. There is nothing wrong with slotting your old shock plates, but I would recommend using some large hardened washers on the nuts.
Message created at 09/01/10 08:44 PM
#7 Maxx Levell Re:For Those With 9" Rears...  
Originally posted by PINKY
I cannot help cause I don't run leaf springs :p
Tom it sounds like your getting things done on your maverick, thats great!


I would be getting things done if I wasn't working all the time lol. I've got a lot of parts in a pile waiting to be installed...just can't find a nice day or two block of time to finish everything up. I'm just working on it a little at a time, and things are starting to progress...slowly...but still progressing. At this pace...I'm HOPING to have it done in time for NMRA finals at Bowling Green...
Message created at 09/02/10 03:03 PM
#8 Maxx Levell Re:For Those With 9" Rears...  
Originally posted by jmgford
I think you would have find some Pre-'65 full size Fords or T-birds to find shock plate for 3" tubes. I have Cal-Tracs on mine and they are slotted to fit any size tube. There is nothing wrong with slotting your old shock plates, but I would recommend using some large hardened washers on the nuts.



Thanks Jack...I went the other day and had some new U-bolts bent to fit. I also got the "double thickness nuts" and hardened washers to use on them. Now to slot the plates enough for them to fit lol...oh well...it will get there. Starting to get antsy about finishing it up though...if I can't slot them enough, I'll just fab up some new plates and go from there. Should probably just go that route anyway and save some time LMAO...the only thing that concerns me is getting the shock mount on the plate beefy enough to hold up, since the mount sits at an angle. The way that the factory mounts are formed from one piece, with the bent edges gives them quite a bit of strength. I'll just have to take a look and see what I come up with.

Thanks for the input...I appreciate it...
Message created at 09/02/10 04:17 PM