Well, the 54 is back on the road, so the only logical thing to do now...is start taking things apart! I want to lower the car all around about 2-3 inches or so ...or perhaps a bit more, and i have a rough idea how to manage the rear, but i'm kind of new to this so i'm no sure how to proceed with the front. If there is something in the tech archive i missed that you guys know about, let me know. otherwise, i'm just looking for some guidance on how to go about lowering the car. i assume i can just throw some blocks under the rear , do i have to cut the coils in the front?? Any info/advice is appreciated. -Chris 54 Plymouth Savoy.
www.jamcosuspension.com Jamco makes lowered coils. Not as cheap as cutting coils but worth the $ in the long run.
I heard today that Jamco is closed, Jim passed away last thursday, his wife said she didn't know what was going to happen to the company.
I cut 1.5 coils on my 54 Plymouth and it lowered it around 2-3 inches. 2" blocks up front. Was easier than lowering my 53 Chevy. Have any pics your Plymouth?
I have a '52 plymouth and lowered it. But a prob I found for the rear is the leaf spring is only 1 3/4" wide and most blocks are 2". The problem there in lies that most of them are hollow so to speak and the edge on both sides hangs over the edge of the spring and whether thats a safety issue I'm not sure. I didn't take chances and made plates to go on top and bottom of the block. Then the spring plates are for narrow leafs and the U-Bolts won't go in the holes. Here you can either go to a salvage yard and snag a couple off about anything so long as the holes are wide enough or you can make some. As far as the front goes I cut 1 3/4 hoops off mine and it is LOW! So I suggest 1/2 to 3/4 to start if you so choose to cut coils. I'll throw in a pic of mine so you can see how low mine got. Hope this helps! Good luck!
Oh I almost forgot, Rod and Kusom supply has blocks that are for 1 3/4" leafs but they aren't cheap. Well not near as cheap as $25 jobs at Auto Zone. Don't know the exact price for 3" blocks, it says non-stocked call for price. That and 2" is like 50 something I think last I looked not sure though.
find a local spring shop and have the rears dearched 3 inches and cut one coil up front and move the lower control arm perch to the bottom of the control arm.
Better than cutting coils is what I did..... take the coils to a springmaker and have them reset them for whatever amount you want to drop the car. Cost was minimal, and it retains the spring rate for a comfy ride. Cutting coils stiffens the spring, but that may be what you want. I used 2" blocks in back. This is on my '55 Plymouth.
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