Identification of F15 2WD?

[Jacques Reed]

Hi David and Tony,

I looked at the rear suspension of both models and the F15 and F15-A both use the same rear springs according to the maintenance manual. That is 45" long, 2.5" wide, and 10 leaves each. Would have thought the vertical distance from the chassis to the rear axle would be much the same. Are the spring perches at different heights? If they are, it solves a 20 year old mystery for me too. My dodgied up F15-A from a F15 had the rear spring perches bolted on and not riveted. As a newbie 20 years ago I didn't give it much thought and figured it was a wartime expediency. They could have, however, been replacements for the F15 spring perches to make it look like a F15-A. It would also account why they dropped the equalized down 6" on a bracket if they tried to use the shorter (33"?) handbrake cables originally on the F15 chassis.

I have one idea that perhaps the F15 being 2WD was never intended to see much off-road service so a shorter cable would be enough for highway use where there is less suspension travel.

I also realize the cab chassis I am taking my measurements from would sit lower to the ground with a heavy rear body on it so that would reduce the length required. Even without a body, however, there is plenty of slack in F15-A cables as shown in my earlier photos.

Maybe 33" is the correct length after all?

Cheers,