Okay, I have a 1957 Ford 9" truck rearend on it's way to me as I write. I already talked to club member Pat McCarthy who said I will probably need a little shortening of the axle to cener things. After that is completed I want to hang the rear under my 2X3" frame with a 12" kick up in back. Here is my plan of attack, I hope all the geezers can right me if I'm headed in the wrong direction.

1. The front suspension, tires, and motor/tranny are already installed so I plan to raise the back of the frame till the rails are parallel with the ground and level. I don't want a rake to the chassis.

2. I have a 47 Ford sedan front spring that I plan to mount transverse behind the axle. I also have a weld on perch that will either be welded to the rear cross member or a bridge above it if weding it directly to the cross member will lift the back of the frame too high.

3. I still have to purchase shackles and weld-on shackle mounts but when I do, how do I install the mounts? Do I just measure eye to eye on the spring and split the difference from the middle of the axle on either side of the center line? Do I mount the spring, then bolt the shackles/mounts to it and center the axle behind them and tack it in place? How do I account for the downward movement of the spring eye and the upward movement of the shackle at the mount? I know the alignment of the rear end is crucial, pinion angle movement will be limited by ladder bars later on. Should I build a small amound of pinion angle into it by rotating the snout down a little when I weld the backets on? My circle tracker is built like this. Okay, I'll shut up and listen to the guru's, thanks.