How low is TOO low- progress on my '53 Chevy

DOH! Sorry! Was in Poncho thinking mode. When I put 4" blocks on my Poncho it had pinion issues without angle shims... different train of though.

 

Von Rigg is right, you really need to see what hits first in case of a blow out. The rim or the u-bolts. If the rim, you can probably steer the car to the side of the road. If the u-bolts things go very bad very quick! Don't ask me how I know. Just trying to keep you safe. I really enjoy your post. John

 

Dizzamn! all of this and she didnt respond to mine
I'm with these guys, I wanna see yer' pinion.
great work indeed, I'm gonna go back under my rock, that is if Richard will get out of there.

 

Megan, didn't see this mentioned but with your 4" blocks in it can you change a tire? My Merc has 3" blocks and Posies springs on the rear and I can't install an inflated spare on it. (Not enough space between the back of the rim/wheel well opening,brake drum.) I carry a spare, a can of Slime and a 12V compressor in the trunk. I also installed a cigar lighter in the trunk to power the compressor.

 

Damn-it man!! Is that a James Bond movie car?lol

 

Blown49 does have another point you will have to deal with. Mine is only down 3 1/2" and I can just barely get mine out..now i do have a bit of a wide tire back there..and i have to jack it up on the frame so the axle drops..but you might find that 4" will screw you on pulling those wheels off. it might depend on how skiny your tires are..to a point.

 

Poor baby.....she'll make it up to you by paying extra special attention to you at the RoundUp......feel better......

 

I did remove the road oiler sprays under the rear bumper AND slept at a Holiday Inn Express last night.

 

Megan,

The original style shackle for you car will put the rear spring eye above the shackle eye which lowers the rear another inch or so, That will allow shorter lowering blocks. 4" blocks can contribute a lot to spring wrap up.

By the way, nice work.

Charlie

 

Nice Work.

I just lowered my 53. I have 3 inches from the bottom of the ubolts to the concrete. I am using 2 1.5inch blocks on both sides = 3" drop. Now I have the wrong rims on my car (14") and I measured 5" to the rim. Now even if I put 15's on it. Aren't I still going to be 1.5" lower than the rim with the bolts? I am at 5" at the bottom of the spring. How big of a deal is this? What's the work around??Bags?

 

Bingo! I am still running the stock torque tube. One less thing to worry about...so far...

I was thinking about this the other day. I highly doubt my springs are stock or at least not modified. I think that is a big factor everyone needs to keep in mind when lowering their cars, everyone's springs are different which makes a BIG difference.

Definitely something to think about. I will have to take some measurements and let you guys know the results.

Yes, probably nothing too far though. I'm still a roadster girl for long trips

Changing a tire is out of the question. As I was so eloquently told by Whiskeyrunner (Matt K), "Welcome to the wonderful world of lowriders."

 

LOVING THE WHEELS! I have a set I am sanding down to do that to for my 57 wagon. Still got to get the rubber though. The ride height is looking sweet but doubel check everything witht he scrub. Hate all of that work to go to waste on the first flat.

cody

 

Philetproof, with the help of Alex Gambino did one of the sickest 54 chevy's i've seen.. here is his tech article from our clubs forum it's a good read check it out...

http://www.roaddevils.com/forum/showthread.php?t=1410

 

Thanks for the link, I'll check it out.

You better believe if I lived anywhere near San Jose my Chevy would already be at Alex's shop

To update everyone on my progress, I got frustrated with not being able to test the ride because of the snow so I went ahead and yanked the engine out to repaint it. Story coming soon, hang tight til after the Round Up

 

Ever thought about using air shocks to help out in the back. Not really the "in" thing but it might work. Plus this is OH!

 

I have been trying to decide on what size tires to run on my 53. What size BF Goodrich tires did you go with? White wall size?

Thanks for your time

Scott

 

...and stick it in a cool little hoodless roadster?

 

nice work!

 

Nice job Megan, I'm feeling kind of bad too. Tire machines still scare me.

 

As far as changing a flat tire goes, you can sometimes put a bottle jack inbetween the rear end and the frame and it might push it down enough to pull the tire out.

 

Looks good from here!

 

I stressed for weeks about tire size and more importantly white wall width. I wouldn't want the kustom police after me!
I went with P205/75R15 all the way around. They have a 2 3/8" white wall. I am extremely happy with the way they turned out. Call Coker, they'll give ya a good deal.

We are going to Austin this weekend, who knows what I'll find!

 

PS! the scrubline!!! Have had a realy funny spin at the freeway, lucky it did go good! My -50 fleetline is lowered by using 3,5" lowering blocks rear, coils cutted 1,5 turn in front. 14" wheels front/rear got it some lower. Rear rubbers thrown away, and yes got some hard knocks in the heavy bumps. When mounting air-shocks to rise/ hardned it when peoples in the back, and carefully driving..( looks out for holes,etc. ), that problem stayed of.
After my spin, found out why rims should be the lowest! Fabricated new lower shockmounts, and bolted the rear to the leafs, with custommade bolts standing up to get the best clearance to ground.

I also fabricated lower cruisershirts, to give the impression of more lowering..

Nice to see you/your car! Not everytime we see girls working this way with cars, STAY ON! Of the quick replyes on the board, it seems something does them extreamly interesting??

Pic, when no air inte air-shocks..., but rear bumper is in original posision...

 

I have 2 1/2 coils cut out of the front and 3" block's under the rear with KENTUCKY Hi-Jacker's (air shock's) with Coker 15" G-78 on it. If I load her down with a cooler full of pepsi's and eat a large burrito she will bottom out with know air in it but with some air in the shock's its smooth sailing.....

 

Nice car Irs30! what's this about you needing a 283? PM me details on what you want

 

Next question... Are you planning on chopping it at all? I love all your progress thus far.

 

nice car

 

I am feeling a little insecure myself.............You are something else in a very good way!
want to trade for a Harley? You have a really neat ride!

firstnomad