2 Questions for Tri-5 Pontiac guys

Question #1- Currently my body is off the frame undergoing body repairs, etc. When its all back together the front and rear will both be lowered 3". Up front I had custom coils made and I have Speedway blocks in the rear. I have seen/heard that lowering like this will cause the driveshaft to rub on the rear seat brace, see pics for location. Is this true? And if so how much do I have to take out and am I even looking at the right spot?


Question #2- Since I have it all apart and floor access is fairly easy I was thinking about adding seat belt mounts. Anyone done this on these cars? Where and how? Pics and/or accurate descriptions would be great.

OK, it was more like 4 questions. Almost forgot, the car is a 57 Pontiac Starchief, 2 door hardtop. Thanks

 

C'mon! Somebody's got to have an answer for me!

 

I lowered my old wagon with the 3 inch blocks in back and cut springs in front. I remember laying under the wagon when it was on jack stands and looking everything over for clearance. I never had a problem with the drive shaft.
I loved that wagon never should have sold it.

 

I had a 55 catalia with lowering blocks, my tail shaft rub in that spot with a full car load. I've buildt a few tri5 chevys and I cut the floor out where i will rub a weld up 1/2' (but the brace isn't in the same place). You will have to cut the brace on the pontiac and move it on the inside for the floor.

 

My 53 sits very low in the back and does rub that brace if someone in the backseat I added airshocks with 30psi , this raised it maybe 1/2 inch and gave just enough stiffness to keep it from rubbing, the brace is still intact?

 

I dunno...I've had 11, 55-57 Ponchos and lowered the rear of almost all of 'em. Never had a problem with rubbage on the driveshaft.

 

Yes.... see my thread here : http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=262884


My pic hosting seems to be hosed, but I may be able to dig up the pics. Also, in regards to the brace, I cut that **** out and never looked back. I haven't had any problems yet.

I'm also looking into de-arching the rear leaf springs and THEN adding a 1" block... that would pretty much solve my scrub line issues while effectively lowering the rear and additional inch.

 

BTW, my thread that I linked DID get a "bit" hijacked with the lowered vs. slammed debate... but people will argue that piss is vinegar in times of need.

Hopefully these are the pics missing from the thread...


















Good luck!

 

Man you've got to cut out alot more in a Pontiac that a Chev thats for the pic 1lowchief

 

Also... for you that are wanting/thinking of lowering your Pontiacs, there are a total of THREE snubbers out in the rear. One over each side of the axle under the frame and a third over the rear differential.

When I lowered my 'chief I almost didn't see the third snubber. I wonder how many of these guys that lowered their Pontiacs either didn't cut their snubber at all or didn't cut the third. Compare that number to guyz that had no complaints about rubbing in the rear and you may have something there!

I could see how easily it would be to NOT cut the 3rd snubber, and the angle that could result may NOT lead to rubbing... but that's hypothetical at this point and was not my personal experience!!!

 

BTW, the lower half of the rear seat required a "little" t******* of a few braces. It looks stock but as long as nobody sits in the center it won;t ride like your sitting on a brick.

Other than that, piece of cake.

 

Thanks for all the info and pics. I knew about all 3 of the snubbers. 1LOWCHIEF, what rear shocks are you running? When I put my roller together I had a hard time locating the correct rear shock. Factory one's are too short and air shocks are a band aid fix in my book. Finally did some measuring, slight modification and parts catalog seaching to get the right ones in there. What size tire are you running in the back? I don't have a 4 door but the floor pans appear to be very similar to my 2 door, any one know if there is a difference?

 

I believe the floor pans are the same... but don't quote me on that. Hell, the '55 Pontiac floor pans look almost exactly like early 50's Chevy floor pans, so I'm ***uming that 2 door and 4 door same year Pontiacs should be close.

I'll get you the tire size and shock info when I get home and take a peak.

 

awww ****. I'm sorry 'bryan6902', I completely flaked on getting that info for you. If you still want me to get you the tire and shock info either reply here or send me a PM.

Other than that... lets see some more lowered Pontiacs! I'd especially like to pick Rocky's brain for a week or two...

 

I got a 55 safari with fatman uprights in the front and cut 1 full coil off the spring that lowered it about 3.5 inches I dont see springs alone will get it there? It rides and steers great the suspension is all tight which id key. The rear I have 3 inch blocks it rubs with 4 people or lots o **** in the back so I had a buddy make some slightly angled ones I know all about the pinion angle and how that needs to be right bla bla bla. 2 dregees on the blocks will probably make it not rub? Not sure dont have em in yet? LTR Dave

 

Thanks for all the feed back! I would like an idea of what you guys are running for tires front and rear. I'm running 15s cause thats what came with the car and I need them to clear disc brakes up front. I did trim out and rebuild that one brace in my original post. I'm decided to not go crazy on the floor until I get the frame and body back together. We'll see where it sits then and go from there! Thanks to Bull we figured out the seat belt mounting issue!