Just got my new toy...Was wondering if anyone has any info on the best and cheepest way to lower my 59 , and if anyone has any pics of some customized Id love too see them ....need some ideas, thanx.
Well the best way to lower the front is drop spindles and cutting a coil. That will still give a nice ride, and you should still be able to get it aligned no problem. depending on how weak your front coils are this could drop the front 3-4 inches. The cheapest way is to cut two coils or heat them (I dont recommend heating them) As far as the rear I think its the easiest vehicle I have ever lowered.What I did is bought the drop springs for a wagon and cut a coil out of those. Why I say it was soo easy is becuase usually on a car with rear coils the top and bottom loops have a tighter coil to fit in the pockets. On GM cars of that era the rear coils are designed just like the front so you could get them and worry about having them re-looped. In my opinon thats the only way to lower the rear of that car. I did the rears in mine and it took me less than 45 mins. You can also heat the rears also but again I dont recommend that. Any pics of your car?
That Elco didnt come out of Ojai did it? If its the one Im thinkin of you got a good deal, tons of potential on that one. Doesnt take much to make those 59's bad ***.
I only have one car on my wish list right now and it is a 59/60 Elco! Had a late model one in college and it rocked as far as usefullness!
sounds like i'll be doing an engine swap on a 60 pretty soon that's been slammed. i'll try and get some pics if you want.... got a good rake to it, not a "custom" style but more hotrod. right now it has a 283/5speed in it...
This is my old elky. We took two coils out and installed new shocks. I had it realigned and it rode pretty damn decent. A little bouncy on dips. The alignment shop had to break out the old equipment to get it done as the new stuff wouldn't fit with the car so low. Probably be better off taking it to a small shop with older equipment. Anyway, I had no problems with cutting the coils. Mootz
don't know how to post pics, but i drive my 59 elky all over the place and it's ruff as a cobb. and damn its the most fun car i've ever had .i'm on the 3rd motor and 2nd trans and god only knows how many chunks in the rear. i enjoy the **** out of it
Here's a '60 I found on line.... Sick! I had a '60, my dumba$$ let it go... REGRETS!!! Good luck with your '59... Sick cars!!
i myself always wanted either a 59 elcamino or a 59 ranchero. When i first lived in texas there is a junkyard that had both in them. The ranchero cost 1200 bucks. Never bought it though as i didnt have the money. As for it probably still there. Also he has 2 59 caminos in the back for parts. But as i rember one was complete and the other was missing the front clip but still in good condition. Probably also still there.
Remember - when you cut a coil the spring gets stiffer. So you don't need to go to heavier springs to make up for the one that's gone.
glad you decided to finally lower one of your cars! cheapest way is to cut coils & build stepped arms. dropped spindles are a good way to go since you cant weld. congrats on the 59. those are cool cars.
I replaced my front with 2" dropped coils for a big block since i was running a 427. I sold mine awhile ago. It was black when i had it. The current owner added the orange scallops and lowered the rear a little.
I lowered mine with 3" lowered springs from Coil Spring Specialties. $300 shipped and the car rides smooth like it was at stock height (except when it s****es speed bumps!) Much better than when I was running the heated coils
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