MTFCA Forum

Hello all,
I have some nice Ford optional bumpers I want to install my 26 Touring but an initial fitting of the front bumper brackets showed me that my front Hasslers will interfere with the brackets. What are my options if I want to keep the Hasslers? Is it possible to have both?
Thanks,
Mike

You may need the pancake style if you have the taller beehive style now. google "mtfca; pancake hasslers"
http://www.mtfca.com/discus/messages/82 ... 1522337649
Unfortunately none of the parts are the same as the beehive style. (The base maybe the same but I don't think so)

Yes, I have the taller beehive style. I was hoping to keep them and have bumpers at the same time.

You cannot use both. I tried installing pancake hasslers on my 26 coupe which has Ford bumpers on it and the arms would have hit the bumper brackets. My suggestion would be to leave the hasslers off and use the bumpers. Hasslers don't improve the ride much at all anyway.

Stephen

This is what I was afraid of.

Has anyone made a special bracket to get around the Hasslers?

Just leave the front Hasslers off. What I have found is, the rears help some. Because of the length and stiffness of the front spring I don't see them helping that much. With just the rears installed on my 21 Huckster I did see a difference going around some corners with and without them on the rear. I am pretty darn sure the Beehive style wont work on the rear large drum anyway the bracket used to mount to backing plate is different so you would still need the pancake style for the rear. As it is, you are trying to mount beehive fronts instead of pancake and the pancake style should work with the front bumper.

Actually, the car came with the beehives on it. I've heard mixed on keeping them. Since I'm a newbie on Ts, I kinda wanted to learn while having the bumpers to lend a little safety if I misjudged a stop. My concern is driving the perches out as I understand they need to be swapped to go back to stock without Hasslers. If I go that far, might as well get a new front spring, etc.

So, looks like I may do my initial drives without bumpers until I get time to remove the Hasslers.

Those Hasslers can make the T ride a tad better, as they do react to the lumps in the roadway.

But, having bumpers isn't a real necessity, so just drive with care, helps to learn to stop safe. As for damage, the front tires if head on can be rubber bumpers, and at angle, the fenders tips will prevent radiator damage.

Just not enough room for the accessory Ford brackets on the front, they hang down from the frame rail. Would interfere with the Hasslers, either beehive or pancake.

Look at Ron P 7:11 post;
http://www.mtfca.com/discus/messages/50 ... 1219269708

Since I had already bought bumpers and the car came with the Hassler beehives, I must make a decision, it appears.

1. Keep beehives forget bumpers.
2. Remove the beehives and install the bumpers.
3. Figure out a custom bracket set up for the front bumpers and keep the beehives.

For now, I must do option 1. Now the thought process is beehives vs bumpers which is somewhat subjective. You have beehive performance improvements, appearance, etc compared to bumpers safety, appearance etc. I have never driven with and without beehives in front only for a comparison. One of my beehive springs looks somewhat worn compared to the other.

If I choose 2. then might as well get a new front spring and straighten the axle or get a new one (slight bow towards front) and check, rebuild axle as needed (not a bad idea and needs to be done eventually).

Decisions, decisions. Can't wait to retire as it's slow going with working full time.