MTFCA Forum

Getting my thoughts and parts together to start a TT restoration. Since I do not plan on actually carrying a load anywhere near one ton, would the ride improve if I left out a few leaves of the rear springs?

Once your springs are cleaned, painted, and have grease between the leaves, it will ride just fine. (My actual experience having restored 2 TT’s and having serviced rear springs on some “older restorations” too). A TT rear spring has absolutely “no action” if it is dry. If even rusty leaves are spread apart and greased, a TT rides real nice and the grease lasts a very long time. “Slip paint” and other “schemes” like the plastic stuff between the leaves are not satisfactory.

All Model T springs need lubrication. "Dry" solutions are better than nothing. Graphite grease is probably the best lube, but it is very messy, and more so if you drive on non-paved roads. A set of "spring gaiters" is the best solution, if you can afford 'em. At some point in the '30s, Ford began putting gaiters on the passenger car springs. These had a metal covering and greased felt inside.

In the 1926 Ford salesman's manual, it was recommended that a salesman ought to present a neat personal appearance, not smoke in his demonstrator or around a client, and keep his demonstrator clean and in good order, including keeping the springs well-oiled.

Other than hauling old no.4 to the historic races, the only way I could get a decent ride for daily use out of my Brand X (Chevrolet) one ton truck, was to load it down with antique tires, a monster heavy duty antique floor jack and a few other misc. smaller heavy items. Still feel the bumps but not so severely.
Ed aka #4

Any truck or pickup I've ever owned rode better with at least a few hundred pounds in the cargo area.