Lowering the International

I want to lower my truck about 6 inches in the rear and maybe 3 or 4 in front(I haven't measured yet, but the rear is higher)

Now, I've never really dealt with lowering a car with leaf springs, and I know I can remove some leafs to get the truck lower. Now my questions are...how many can I remove? There are 7 supporting the truck currently.

And is this something I can do myself, or should I bring it to someone to remove them and put the straps/bolts back on the springs.

Pic of the truck for reference...

 

Are the springs above the axles? If so the rear is easy to lower just swap the spring perches to the bottom of the axle and c- notch the frame. the front would be a little different you could get your axle dropped or swap the springs in the front with some spring pad fabricating and if you had room. A mono leaf spring would also help in the front. Though you would probably have to get it custom made

 

I thought about flipping the axle too, but I don't know if I want to go into notching the frame and all that just yet.

 

Many early pickups have enough room in front to mount the axle on top of the springs, usually 4''-5'' drop, though a dropped axle is preferred.

 

Hi Cogs, this summer I completed the exact drop you're looking for, on my '56. It's the same frame as yours.

In the rear, I removed the overload spring packs, and pulled three leafs out of the main packs. I also extended the back spring hangers by 2-1/2" up toward the box. This dropped the rear about 6".

On the front, I separated the packs, and reversed the spring eye using this method:

http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=90824&highlight=reverse+leaf

That dropped it almost 2".

Then I pulled out two leafs. I tried three, but I was riding on the bump stops, and had to put one back in.

That increased the drop to just over 4" in the front.

During the process I also switched from the 3/4 ton axles and 16" rims and mudders to 1/ ton axles with 15" rims and 75 series tires. The trucks is far from the farm it came from, so the mud tires on the back were no longer required.

It went from this:



To this:



The ride is much better, and it takes a significant bump in the road to bounce off the bump stops. I can still load up the bed and use it as a truck.

And, in my opinion, it looks a helluva lot better.

Jeff

 

Thanks Jeff, that is EXACTLY what I was looking for. Did the change on the axles affect ride height at all?

 

Also do you have pictures of the relocated hanger and the reversed eyes?

 

Changing the axles didn't do much for the height other than changing the rims and tires. Going from approximately 31" tire height to about 28" in the rear helped drop it down a little more, and levelled out the stance a bit.

I don't have any pictures of the eyes and hangers, but if you look under the truck, it becomes quite clear. The front spring eyes on stock springs roll up towards the frame. Reversing the arch in the main spring causes the eyes to roll away from the frame, towards the ground. Doing this simply mounts the springs closer to the frame.

In the rear, the spring eye shackle already locates the rear spring eye above the frame mount. All I did was cut the shackles in half and extend them about 2-1/2" with steel plate. It was quite easy to do, since you have to take them off to remove the rear springs anyway.

I can try to get some pics, but the truck is now low enough that getting underneath for pictures can be a real pain!

Once you look at both the front and rear setups currently on your truck, it should make sense.

Jeff

 

Yep, that does make sense to me now. Thanks. I'm going to try this during the week. Just so long as I have it back together by the weekend so I can drive it to the pileup.

 

Cogs,

I'll look for your truck at the Pileup -- would love to meet up with you to hear how it went... I have a '53 IH R110 Pickup (for my wife) that's been sitting in my garage -- also in Chicago (northwest side) -- for longer than I'd like to admit.

An IFS and motor/trans swap were originally in the plans, but that might have to wait given budgets at home. So this sounds like a way to get it low, and just drive it with the inline six for a while.

Ask the goons in the Maroon coats (Chrome Czars) where you can find Lucky.

JR

 

I think I removed 2 leaves.
I flipped the rear spring mount. It now pokes through the bed floor an inch or so. I think I flipped the front one too, or maybe just redrilled and scooted it up, I'll have to look. My pinion(?) angle is amuck, it's binding right now be cause of all the drop.

I had Elpolako on here drop the front axle 3 or so inches.

PM me and I can post a pic tonight, I'll forget otherwise.

 

Here's some pics of what was done and how it looks. It is in fact "in the weeds".
Tires are 6.50x 16" Firestones.
Rides really smooth, kind of on the soft side for a truck.
Looks like I flipped the front mount and scooted it up.
Took 3leaves out of the front too.
Hope this helps, Gary

 

Thanks for the pictures, Gary. The truck looks good. and gives me some other options.

 

Hey Cogs and Lucky - I'm another Chicago guy who will soon own a Binder. The one I'm buying was lowered with a dropped axle, Z'd rear frame and air bags. Hairpins upfront and custom 4 link out back. I'd like to compare notes.

Anyone know where I can find a spare tire mount for my bedside?

 

check out oldihc.org

 

wish I had known, threw one away from my 40 IH this past fall