Newbie question, haven't taken delivery of it yet, but want to lower it as soon as I get it. Couldn't find a bolt in kit for the front, I ***ume spacers for the rear. I've seen people using Econoline spring etc. Looking for suggestions, as I ***ume it shares the same front end as other models. Thanks!
Blocks in back and cut coils or shorter springs in front. 2 coils cut is about 4 in drop. Spindle kits are work, cuttin is fast and easy.
Cutting coils is most economical. To remove, use a puller (Not a 'Pickle Fork', but a proper puller at the outer ball joint. Jack up and block car ch***is in front, now place the rolling floor jack (most compulsory) under the lower A frame, right under the ball joint. Put a little tension on it, not much. Now, place a car stand under the REAR BUMPER, opposite side from the spring you are removing, as the jack under the spring will raise the car when compressing the spring. With the rear stand under the bumper, you have the weight of the whole car to ***ist in compressing the spring. When the spring is compressed, disconnect the ball joint, and lower the floor jack slowly. Spring will fall out. Reverse procedure to install the cut coil. Amount removed will make the now shorter coil easier to position and compress. I think you have to remove the front shocks as well, so do that FIRST. Ball joint pullers can be had from Harbor Freight. Cut the coils with 4.5" cutoff wheel, or if full of energy, 3 hacksaw blades and a good hacksaw. Great exercise! LOL
Gospel. Coil springs in this year Ford should be cut to a max of 1-1/2 coils, if you MUST do it... I have removed 2, and it was notably stiffer. But, the more you remove, the closer you get to the lower control arm to 'bottom out' on the rubber pads. Bump: <BOOM!> "Dammit!"
looking like the Moog cc850's are the way to go, reasonably priced, no cutting etc. Blocks in the rear,
And every time I've done this, the springs sagged inside of a year lowering the car too much. The Aerostar springs are progressively wound, start out relatively soft but get stiffer as they compress. Definitely the best solution.
I've got a 53 and I have blocks for the rear and I'm going with aerostar springs in front. I've cut springs on other things before and the ride gets really harsh. If you want to enjoy the ride I would go with the springs.
Inquiring minds want to know was the wagon born with a inline 6 or V8? my recommendation will hinge on your answer. I built the Ranch wagon below, is it low enough for what you are looking for? HRP
<-----Fat Man dropped uprights and Aerostar coils. I did c-notch the outside area of the frame as well as shorten the rubber snubber on the lower control arms so there was more travel downward without bottoming out. Car has Y-block T-85 o/d. All static dropped and very drivable on normal roads at freeway speeds, sometimes in excess of freeway speeds.
I too used the Fat Man dropped spindles and used the '54 Ford 6 cylinder front springs. With the introduction of modern independent front suspension in '54 there is no need to do any notch or shorten the snubbers like with the pin & link '53 suspension. I'm sure you have a very good ride also. HRP
This is the car I keep showing my buddies for how I want it to look Gorgeous!!! The car has always been a V8.
Thank you sir, our car was originally 6 cylinder and after discussing it with the members on the '54 Ford Club of America that had swapped out the inline 6 for the V8, a few had kept the original 6 cylinder springs, others had swapped out the springs but I was convinced the oiginal springs would work fine, I have been happy with the ride. I have talked about lowering the rear a little more but I have always like to have a rake on my cars. HRP
I have a pair of 2" lowering blocks I ordered from Summit but I haven't installed them. I left the rear springs alone because I had intended to pull our 1957 Shasta camper behind the wagon. HRP
The original springs are, well, original. How worn out they are is impossible for anyone to say. On the other hand, a brand new pair of Moog CC850's is $115, delivered (plus tax).
I don’t know the differences between 54 and 55 front suspensions. This is my 55 with Aerostar springs, Granada spindles, original wheels with 215-75R15 tires up front. The shocks are KYB but I don’t remember the part number and I can’t get into the car now to get it for you.
Rides great! Rear springs are from St. Louis spring and they are new 55 Ford springs that have been lowered 4 inches. Rear tires are 235-75R15.
This stuff also applies to the 1949 - 51 Ford Lincoln Mercury. Any more information on taking out that spacer in the lower control arm? There is a replacement spacer kit, or you just run without?
The '54 Ford saw the introduction of the modern independent front suspension which is basically the same as todays cars, the '53 and back used a pin & link front suspension. HRP
I've decided on the Aerostar springs (have them) and want to go 2" in the rear. (Or should I go 3"?) Would anyone have the right part number (even a Summit link) to the right kit with U bolts?
Aerostar springs in the front and stock saggy leaf springs in the rear. 205/65r15!tires all around on junkyard crown Vic rims
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