Shoebox Stuff

hey, I am about to rip the front end off my 51 ford and redo the front suspension. I was wondering if it is worth the work of reversing the spindles or just buying dropped spindles and spending the money... also, what type of shocks do you guys use? springs? i found that 78 malibu and even the early s10's use the same spring rates and everything as these cars... anyone use them? any tips or pointers? i want to get this car as low as i can without "air-ride."

on the other hand... do any of you guys have pics of shoebox fords with pinstriping, flames? i plan on stiping my car myself, and was getting some ideas... though i have my own style... its going to be a satin color, was going to be black, but i see too many of them, though it still looks good!

thanks!
the Odd ball

 

Check out JAMCO for their disc brake & ball joint front end conversion kit with a 3 inch drop. Bolts right on, no h***el.

 

go to shoeboxford.com and join and then do a search on lowering the front or rear of a shoebox, lots of info there on shoeboxes.

 

i dont think ill go with a whole front end from jamco or anything... i was going to just flip the spindles to save money since im pretty low on "fun cash" but i was thinking on waiting a little while and throwing some fatman spindles with their uprights... but i didnt know if any of you guys/gals might have used them and didnt like them or what... i already cut a coil and a 1/2 out of the springs, it sits nice, but i want it low! i was thinking on swapping the spindles and then buying some s10 lowering springs to keep the rate but still get the drop.. plus they are only $100.00 new

 

oh.. and how low has anyone gone in the rear with-out bumping the drive-shaft on the floor? i dont know if ill tunnel it or not..

 

First, all I've heard about that kit is that its a nightmare. I've never instaled one and have since dropped the idea of using it on my shoebox because of this.

Second, the kit goes for $1200 baseline, then you have to find the parts yourself. Its almost $3000 complete. No for someone with low fun cash. I hear ya partner.

 

ya... exactly! 3k could be used on many other good parts!

 

I'm with you on this. I just took my old 50 off of the frame that had been poorly clipped with a GM front and am getting ready to put it back on a stock 1950 frame. I just haven't figured out the front end yet and want to get the ride height while trying to determine the motor mount location since I'm sticking a heavy pig of an engine up front. I've heard mixed reviews on JAMCO and also heard that flipping the spindles is bad. Fatman makes a nice kit. The GM front clip in mine was **** so I don't really know what to do yet.

 

i flipped my spindles.its not super hard, but not just an afternoons work either.
done 5000 miles like that sofar...no probs.
get it aligned properly afterwards.
i wouldnt use the aftermarket dropped spindles..they are just welded pipe.not a beefy forging like henry used.
dont do this job without some basic understanding of suspension geometry and metallurgy..you may **** it up.

 

Seriously ... try the www.shoeboxford.com site --it's free to join and the forum members have dropped their 'boxes just about every way a box CAN be dropped. Their first comment about swapping the spindles is usually that their Ackerman went south and caused more problems than the money saved. what they call "Boogie blocks" (lowering blocks for the front end) gain you a couple inches for less than $20 if you make your own. Next up are Fatman's dropped spindles that buy another couple of inches for a reasonable price. Neither of these affect your front geometry. THEN there's Jamco's lowered springs that are less expensive than the whole Jamco front end, which can set you back more than you might have paid for your Shoebox.

Seriously ... go talk to the 'boxers.

 

thanks... i am a new member at shoeboxford.com ill see what they have to say... the block thing doesnt look like a hard/bad job at all.. think ill try that with a new set of malibe drop springs

 

on my box, i used fatman dropped spindles,figured the rate of the stock springs then figured an extra 50#s in the spring rate and three inches shorter, then when to the local race car parts supplier and ordered springs from afco.
the front cross member is now 4" from the ground, i had made some boogie blocks that were 1" thick but it dropped the front 2 more inches and with the wheel base of the car speed humps kept hitting the bottom of the car.
at 4"s at the front cross member the lower controll arms are parallel with the ground.

 

I went the Fatman route. Dropped spindles- tierods-volvo box and jamco springs. With nylon tires IT ****S. Im sure its the tires I had a reputable shop align My frontend. Everything is new except the box. I will go find another on as this one has slop in it. Im switching to radials that should do the trick. If not Im clipping it. Cant you reinstall the clip properly?
Honestly I wish I would have clipped it in the first place. -----FEDER

 

with my 50 i chose a s-10 sub.not bad to install at all..got it free..used dropped spindles from summit.used there dropped springs but rode like ****!left the spindles,and used stock coils.camero sub is too wide.s-10 is very strong! i put my sub under my 50 on a 2 post lift,without taking off front clip my 2c