55 Chevy Sedan - Tri Five Lowering -

I have a 55 2-door Sedan that im working on and I need to lower it in the front.

I know that drop spindles are offered but with using those, you have to switch to disk brakes. The rear will be lowered with "Lowering" leafs and blocks as necessary.

I do not want to have to switch the car to disk brakes.

I would like to hear/see what people have done to lower thiers and a possible photo.

Unlike the Tri-fives; with a 1950 Ford, you have alot of options to lower the car slightly modifying the lower control arms; ie - lower spring plate, raise ball joints, etc.

I know that I could cut a coil or 2 of spring out; and maybe the only option available.

Your suggestions are welcome.

 

I got mine so the front crossmember is about 4" or so off the ground by cutting a bit more than a coil. You might want to sneak up on it...the first coil doesn't do much, but after that it drops pretty quick. If you get it down pretty far you'll probably need to trim the rubber bump stops too.

 

I dont think you have to switch to disc brakes with a drop spindle, when i did mine there was dropped spindles offered that retained the brake drums...but i could be wrong

heres a photo.....might be hard ro tell


i lowered mine 3 or 3-1/2" from stock, 1 inch dropped springs and 2 or 2-1/2" dropped sprindles...with disc's.....stock A arms and stearing.

i need to lift it up by the bumper about 1/4" to get a jack under there, but in my opinion its still not low enough...another inch in the front and 2 out back would be nice.

my rear is lowered by a 2" block on stock leaf springs with stock wheels....works fine, i can barely get a deflated tire between the wheel well and the brake drum.......its practical....but still not low enough......i mean it doesnt even s****e on anything..

 

This car has one full coil cut off the top and one full coil cut off the bottom. This way they locate properly in the wish bones and in the top of the ch***is. I have found that that works the best, if you cut two coils of the same end its to low. If you havn't done it before I would still follow what squirrel said.

This car has drop spindels and disc brakes with one full coil cut off

 

Thank you, great information.

 

I dropped my 56 two inches with lowering springs I bought from Cl***ic Chevy International. They worked out great.
When you "cut" a spring you lose a lot of travel in the spring
The "lowering springs" are suppose to make up for that with a stiffer spring -- or so I was told
Anyway-- I lowered it -- and it looks a lot better
Also lowere the rear -- with lowering blocks
Dgang

 

When you cut a spring you do increase the spring rate some, but not as much as if you get specially made lowering springs. Either way you lose the same amount of travel

 

couldnt you put a spacer between the lower a arm and the cross member.....
ive seen a kit to do it to a 58-64 chevy.....

 

The dropped spindles from Heidt's let you use the stock drums if you want. I lowered my wagon with these spindles and 1" springs in the front. I used 3.5" springs and 2" blocks in the rear. I would like it a little lower but it is my daily driver. It rides nice and doesn't bottom out. Put sway bars on it and it will handle good too.

 

I got six cylinder nova springs in my 56 wagon we cut 1 coil .....good luck'

 

I have Heidt's dropped spindles and still using drumbrakes..
I had to make new hubs and new shealds with an extra bracket to support the wheelcylinders. And use Caprice wheelbearings.

2 inch drop and cut 1,5 coils, tires are 6.90 15"




/Johan

 

I cut 2 coils on the 55 that I drove for 20 years. Used posie lowrider springs on the rear . The ride was still good bur was still not as low as I like em. Good luck.
Later,
****

 

Here's a pic of my 55 and the stance......I cut out 2 coils and did it about 16 years ago. No problems....even after putting a ton of miles on her. Best of luck.

 

Doesnt the Heidt's dropped spindles take the stock drums and hubs? Or did you get the pair for disk brakes and convert them?

 

The only dropped spindle that I found that dont have casted caliperbracket is:
http://www.heidts.com/index.cfm/pag...tegory_id=105/home_id=70/mode=prod/prd132.htm

And drumbrakes don´t fit these spindles...
Maybe I will make a how I did post next Tech week!!

 

I cut 3 coils off the front on my 57, and stacked blocks in the back.

 

On my wifes HT we used 67-69 Camero springs with one coil cut... Sits low and handles great with a front sway bar.

 

Had some questions from hambers so i did a tech tread..

http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=314463