54 Bel Air Drop

I'm new to the forum and to this type of custom. I just picked this car up and I know it's going down. Do you guys recommend keeping the front end stock and dropping it with coil springs or do I need to junk it for a later model set up?

 

I just bought a 53 about a month ago and found that the "search" function is the best answer to your questions a guy could ask for!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

Thanks for the tip. How is your's coming and how are you planning on doing it?

 

I am lowering my '54 with the stock suspension with the exception of dropped uprights from Fatmans and some lowering springs. If your stuff is in good condition or if you can rebuild a lot of stuff I would go with that. MII installs are great and all but not mandatory I don't think. I think that the original MFG stuff is perfectly suitable for today's driving.

 

The front end was just rebuilt that was the reason for my question. Fatman Fabrication? How much are you lowering it?

 

While not a 54, mine is a 52( they share the same frame) and I dropped mine with all stock suspension. I c notched my rear and removd leafs and add 5 inch drop blocks and up front I cut coils and removed the bumb stops. Soon I'm gonna peel the body off of the frame and notch my front crossmember and add dropped uprights and new bags all around. So to make a long story long it can be done stock, look up "rusty pipes" his 54 is dropped with stock stuff also I would check out "******s" car and "badluck" they both sit low as hell!

 

Great info. Thanks a ton. I begin tear down Saturday so I am sure I will have more questions come Monday. Thanks again.

 

http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=81077&highlight=lowered+monroe

this will give you the info you need to do it.

 

In back I reversed the eyes, dearched the springs, added 3" blocks,c-notched the frame, and raised the tunnel.
I used a Jim Meyer racing front end because the original needed rebuilt, and that plus the cost of dropped uprights and discs cost more than I paid for the used front end my buddy happened to have.
Since you say you don't know a lot about these cars, remember that the front suspension just bolts in, and there are companies that make front suspension that just bolts in as well, makes it pretty easy to replace even for a guy who can't weld.

And if it still ain't low enough, throw in a couple Great Danes.

 

Here is the one we are working on at the shop. If you have any question Pm me I would be glad to help.