Technical Lowering a '57 SuperChief

Hi All,

I'm new to this forum so hope I've posted in the right place. I've got a '57 Pontiac SuperChief that I would like to lower. I'm doing 3" blocks in the back, however are there any suggestions for lowering the front? I don't want to clip it. Should I cut the springs, or convert to drop spindles or pull parts from other vehicles? Any suggestions are greatly appreciated. Thanks.

 

At a 3” drop I wouldn’t cut the springs. I have no idea what’s out there on the market for the Pontiacs but if a drop spindle is out there that would be the simplest, right? Oh and that geometry thing that so important. That wouldn’t be compromised as well.

 

I’ll see if my brother can chime in on this. Hopefully he can give you some advice. He is not on the hamb as often as I am. He lowered his Chieftain a few years ago. I think it’s a little different compared to the tri-five Chevys. Something to do with the kingpins. Image is of his lowered 57 Poncho.

 

https://www.pontiacsafari.com/L1Garage/BallJointConversion.pdf

https://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/threads/best-way-to-get-my-56-pontiac-wagon-in-the-weeds.652344/

 

Dave D
I opted to lower my Chieftain using Fat Man Fabrication (very expensive parts). I stayed with the factory kingpin system but found out shortly after a tri five drop spindle plus disc brake conversion could have been used. Had I know this upfront, I definitely would have gone the later route due to adding disc brakes. The only negative I can see is that you would probably want to change your rear out for Chevy bolt pattern as well to match. My front drop is 2.5” and am very pleased with look.

 

"and am very pleased with look."

Me too.

 

Don’t change out the rearend. That 9.3 Olds/Pontiac rear is highly desirable.

 

Fabcraft can make you custom axles to keep your stock 9.3

 

Hey Johnny,

That's a great drop and stance. Let me know how he did it.

 

Hey Scott,

I've been looking at Fatman Fabs and yes, they are expensive. Any suggestions on converting to drop spindles?

 

Hey Anthony,

Thanks for the links. I will definitely check them out.

 

Easiest possibly, is look up the factory springs, and see if there is a crossover.......
Someone, somewhere, figured out the same for a Merc by using an Aerostar spring........Drops it 3''. Same size diameter........Something has to fit in there......... Springs are cheap........Good luck!

 

https://eatondetroitspring.com/db/e...+Catalina+Hardtop+Coupe&seng=V8+5.6L+-+347cid

And they offer Alliance discounts.

 

Hello DaveDCanada. Is your car the Canadian Pontiac or American? There is a difference,

 

Dave D, any respectable and trusted mechanic use to working on older cars should be able to install tri five drop spindles/disc brake conversion kit. There are several manufacturers out there that make the drop spindle disc brake kits. Some are definitely better than others. I would ask some tri five guys on here, I’m sure they can steer you in the right direction or better yet, tell you what brands/company’s to stay away from.

 

Per profile page.

 

Poncho power = US Poncho

correct?

 

That and searching at least as far as my searching went, doesn't show a Canadian 57 Super Chief.
It shows Laurentain, Pathfinder Deluxe and Pathfinder. Old Cars Canada: 1957 Pontiac Laurentian, Pathfinder Deluxe and Pathfinder

 

Correct ^

Our Pontiacs were built on Chev chassis with Chev powertrains and different bodies. It is my understanding "nothing" fits between the two.

 

Yup as has been stated , if your car is a Canadian poncho tri five Chevy stuff will work .

 

Or have the them re-drilled.

 

Hi Peter,

Thanks for the springs link. Looks like they have a 2" drop spring.

Dave

 

Hi GoldMountain,

My car is American version from Texas but now lives in Canada.

Dave

 

Other guys from other forums are saying it might be better to clip it with something like a 78 Malibu. What's involved in adding a front clip?

 

That’s something we don’t get into.

 

Do not clip it, the fastest way to ruin that car is with a clip. there is no need to clip it. The most direct route to drop it is with a set of dropped uprights from fat man and if you need another half inch more then a set of coils trimed half a coil.

There are so many things that have to be addressed to make a front clip swap work and work properly that the time you spend doing that really does not justify it. Plus anything that you get get to actually do the clip swap with will most likely need to be rebuilt any way, so the price of all the part to rebuild a worn out old clip would be the same as buying the parts that bolt on, plus you'd still have to weld it in, and then modify the core support the mount to the new front subframe, making sure that all the front sheetmetal still lines up right and hopefully there is still room for the radiator.

use the right stuff and you will have a much better end result with less time spent making it right for mostlikely about the same money.

 

Just right !!!

 

Listen to Jason. He speaks the truth !

 

I’ve clipped rides
I wouldn’t clip this one

 

Lots of opinions & NONE of them wrong!

If you clip it, don't be offended if your pictures/posts are deleted from here! That does NOT mean you made a mistake...That just means it doesn't fit in with this group!!!!

I have a very clean 57 Chieftan 2dr HT that I have not decided what I am going to do with yet! Sell It, Restore It or turn it into a Gasser! I have purchased a Speedway front axle with brakes from a transporting customer of mine just in case I go the Gasser Route!

Not trying to hijack the O.P's thread, but if you are looking for a 57 Pontiac to build your own way...I may be pursuaded into selling this one!

God Bless
Bill
https://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum...ar-transport-hauling-open-or-enclosed.614419/