Lowered my '55 back down last fall. First pic is current ride height, and second is photo-shopped approx. 2 inches lower. Leave it, or lower it?? Thanks for any feedback.
Lowering definitely looks better but it looks like the rear tires will rub the fenders if you lower it. And what about the front tires when they're turned??
14" front rims? If you lower it need to remove hood scoop & run different rims Sent from my SM-G930V using The H.A.M.B. mobile app
Thanks for the feedback so far. Looks like almost an even split...aarrgg. I do have enough clearance on the rear and the front wheels are zero offset, so they fit back under the fender pretty good. Will probably do 15 inch on the front no matter what I decide. I've been back-n-forth for two friggin months, because I'm ready to put disc brakes on the front, so need to decide which set-up, the ones for stock spindles or the dropped spindle kit. Decisions, decisions....
Yep, will remove scoop and the lettering. Once I weld the piece back into the hood, thinking about having it louvered.
Well my truck used to be about 3 inches lower than what you see in the avatar, I am the guy who's family had to get out of the truck in Bonteful Utah when it got hung up on the exit ramp hump of a store parking lot. That was the only time I ever had a problem in about 80 K with that setup but the wife wasn't too happy. Moral of the story is don't lower it to the point where you get hung up on what one might consider regular roadways and driveways. The tank traps in my driveway don't count as you can loose a Smart Car in some of them.
If I drop it two more inches, the lowest point of the frame would be approx. 4-4.5 inches. Low, but still enough road clearance... I think.
My ch***is is about 4 - 4 1/2 inches, and I can s****e judder bars, and yes, I got hung up on one with three p***engers.. Everybody out.. Lol.
Right now, the tires fit perfectly in the wheelwell. Fender lip is even with the top of the tire. Exactly right for a car that gets driven. Dropped my El like pic #2 and regretted it. PA roads ****. Brought it back up and happy now. Lower looks tough, but I think you nailed it. A couple of stock photos for comparison.
The 15s will bring the wheel lip 1/2 closer to the fender lip making it appear slightly lower there so I would see what the 15s look like first. Stock steelies etc at factory height might be cool for a season or two as well???
Hey P, Nice Nomad. Stock ride height always looks good. But, lowering it slightly gives it a cool, agressive look. In So Cal, the CHP does frown on cars that are too low. The lowest body part cannot be lower than the bottom edge of the rim. This is to prevent a tire blow out and the resulting effect. The lowest part hits the ground, causing sparks and then the car gets out of control. Back when we were driving in So Cal with lowered cars, (or modified California Rake stance) there were incidents where a lowered car got a blow out, sparked, and caught on fire. From that point on, any CHP presentation to teenagers always pointed that fact out to everyone. Your Nomad with what mods you are going to change, will make it look nice. But, watch out for lowering it too much...family safety first. An air ride system seems to be the way to go if you want various levels of a stance on your car at different times. From the outside, parked, and/or daily driving, it looks stock, or modified... Jnaki
The lawn area on which your car is parked in the photo is not a good surface for judging the appearance. The tires sink into the gr*** and the surface itself appears to not be level, but slightly arched under the car. In any case, it looks good to my eyes as is. And, if lowering it further requires modifying the body for tire clearance, well .....need I say more? But, pay no mind to my opinion......I'm just one of those odd ducks who thinks a car that is to be driven on common roads and highways should be fully functional for it's intended use. See my signature line. Ray
Paul , I have loved your Mad from the first time I saw her ; looks great as is. If it were me , I'd drop the front only for a little more aggressive rake , remove the scoop and leave the hood plain. It's gonna look great, whichever way you go.
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