I have a 55 2nd Series Pickup. Its a 3600 model so I am ***uming that it is a 3/4 ton truck. I am wanting to keep the I beam axle on the front. I am wanting to lower the truck at least 4 inches. I looked at taking the every other leaf out and it won't give me the drop I want. How would I go about lowering the truck with out heating the axle to drop it? What parts off of what vehicle will I need to convert my 8 lug bolt pattern to a 5 lug? I don't want to use wheel adapters. What tank is recommended for rear mounted gas tank? Thanks in advance.
bump I have been working on the truck today, been making my own patch panels for it. Thought the truck was in good shape, and found tons of filler around the door jam, and some cover up work in the cab corners. I still have to weld in my patch panels on the doors. I was looking at a mid 60's nova rear end, and it looks like that might fit under the truck.
Probably the easiest way to convert to 5-lug in the front is to start by swapping to a 1/2-ton front axle. I've not seen it done on a '55 2nd but its the approach I've seen used on the earlier trucks. At the same time swap to the 1/2-ton springs. It won't lower it much but the ride would be softer. And I'd suggest paying for a dropped axle rather than lowering by removing springs. Your ride and handling will be much better with a dropped axle.
swap the axels out for a 1/2 ton ones like oldsub said ive seen it done with the 2nd series, and a drop axel would be your simplest/nicer ride way to do it, i cant think what the place that makes them is, but you can serch it on the net
Thanks CPP makes a drop axle, I am unsure on its build quality though as it looks like it has forged steel drop arms and a steel tube connecting them. I am looking at mounting a sumped fuel cell, and mount it under the bed.
I was just looking at their axle and here is the info: I.F.S. look without the high cost. Lowers your truck 3 while retaining stock suspension travel. 2 seamless steel tubing with CNC machined ends. Includes tie plates. Note: Caution using lowered leaf springs, may result in bump steer. The axle from CCP is $419 Check here: http://www.droppedaxles.com/CHEVY_AXLES.html#TXTOBJ7D8154316162C31
On the Kart, we flipped the axle to the top of the springs, front and rear. Dropped it a lot! Used a Mustang gastank, just had to move one crossmember a little bit. Very easy to do.
Get a dropped axle from Sid (55 Mercury) which is where fordcragar mentioned www.droppedaxles.com He can help you with everything you need to make sure it is right and you still have a GM axle under it.
spindles are probably not the same but you can put camaro spindles on the stock 1/2 ton axle and use disc brakes also you can go with mono leafs and just use the undropped stock axle also a late 60s early 70s nova rear end will work good
You cannot use camaro/nova spindles on a stock beam axle.If it were that easy they wouldnt have bracket kits. Beam axles use king pins to mount the spindles and late model IFS cars used ball joints.way different config.
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