How to drop a 55 Caddy

Hi I'm new en this Kustom buiness.. and I was wondering how to put my Cad on the ground

Right now it is original but it has to go low

 

I'm working on the plans for my '56 Cadillac. I believe that the suspensions on both the '56 and the '55 are indenticle

For me, my plans (at this point) are to not get too deep into re-engineering the car. These Cadillacs earned the reputation as the gold-standard "rides like a Cadillac" for a reason. I won't be running an engine making gobs of power or trying to canyon carve with my car.......low and slow is how I currently find myself driving this car, and enjoying the ride!

So, with that in mind, I am looking to be able to drop my car, retain that classic Cadillac ride/feel, and not get too invasive. So, for the front suspension, I am seriously considering the shock wave system from Air Ride Technologies. Follow this link to see how it was done on a '57 Cadillac. The only difference between the '57 and our cars is that the spring pockets on the '57 were larger, ours would have to be opened up (no big deal to do that). http://webrodder.com/article.php?AID=217&SID=1

For the rear suspension, I am also considering the shock wave system from Air Ride Technologies. Follow this link to see how it was done on the '57 Cadillac (rear suspension same as ours). http://webrodder.com/article.php?AID=237&SID=1

Good luck with your plans!

 

Another Air Ride Technologies installation in a '61 Cadillac. The rear suspension is different, but the front suspension installation is basically the same. http://ridetech.com/magarticles/caddy_1.asp

 

I used Air Ride Technologies ShockWaves in front with home made mounts and their Air over Leaf in the rear. It works great and still rides like a Caddy , go figure LOL. I'm switching to a triangled 4 link in the rear as I want it lower. Ants be Damned

 

Are the days of slamming it and just driving it that way over?

 

All this Air ride look Really nice, and sure I would like that... But
It also look just a wee bit expensive ... I'm not swimmin' in cash at the moment

Whats "slamming it"?

excuse my ignorance

But thanks for the advise...

Eventually I will get me some Air ride tech

 

Caddy is probably similar to my 55 Olds. I de-arched the leaf springs out back to lower it about 4 in., and then used lowering blocks to get her down another 2. The front, I just cut the coils until I liked the height. One coil usually equals 2 in. of drop. But the more you go, the more it "might" drop. go slowly, and let it settle for a week as the springs take a new set.
It sits pretty low, and rides GREAT!

 

Well you need to grab any old custom magazine before you start with modifying you Cad in any way, because you kinda need to have an idea about what you want to do!
Slamming it mean to lower the car using lowering blocks and or cutting the coil springs.
What about a picture of your car!

 

Do you have any pics of the eir over leaf-system ? I know the pics from their website and how that system works and all details but would like to see some real life-pics,thanks !

 

There are some pics... I havent got any of the suspension system

 

Damn thats a little bit nicer than I started with. I'll try and get some suspension pics up soon

 

Looks are desiving... It is a bit rotten

And I have never seen so much filling on one car

 

i dropped mine the old fasioned way block the bithc. and time took care of the front....

 

Didn't you cut the springs?

And of course, you can always heat the springs, and let gravity and the weight of your car take care of it. The downside is that some say the ride isn't as smooth, and that it's dangerous. Take with a grain of salt.

-Lucky

 

no i didd not cut the springs.....

 

For the front, the lower A arm is riveted together. Bust the rivets loose and make yourself a spacer to slide in there. A friend did it on his 51 and it worked great.

 

Send a pm to Slick50. His 57 ain't "slammed", but it's pretty low. He bought new lowering springs, front and rear, from I think Eaton--I forget, he can tell you. Cost wasn't bad either--$3-400 as I recall(but I'm gettin' old--forget stuff) Prolly do the same with my 57 and save the smooth ride

 

I talked w/ the guys at AirRide this past w/e about lowering my 55 Caddy - sounds like a pretty straight forward install - I'm hoping for a winter project/install. Hey Joe...is that pic of your car one I took at the Autorama? Good to see ya (however briefly) in Columbus.

 

Yuppers thats your pic. I looked at your cad but was retarded and didn't have my camera on me and hoped you would be there on sunday. Wish mine looked half as good now after all my work. Talk to you later Joe

 

do any of you guys know where the shocks are located on the front of the 55 caddy? are they through the coil or mounted elsewhere??