Im thinking of getting a 64 galaxie 2 door(its sitting stock heigth) on a trade I was wondering what would be the easiest way to lower the back if it has leafs in the back is just by blocks ?
That's always what I've heard was the easiest. My 63's springs are shot so I will either get them re-arched or just replaced, so I don't know if I'm going with blocks or not yet.
My 64 is a 500XL which was the top of the line as far as I know and it has leaf springs. I believe that the 65 was the first Galaxie with rear coils.
Yeah, they all have leaf springs. Look at the rear shackles on it.I have had 2 64s and both of them had the shackles wrong in the back.I had to flip them over because someone had them on top of the springs and made it sit higher.If the shackles are on wrong you can lower it by just flipping them over. Just something to check,but lowering blocks are the easiest way to lower the rear.
i'm kinda looking to lower mine as well, but i've heard bad things about the blocks. dearborn cl***ics sells lowered leaf springs. don't know you're budget, but it makes sense to me.
yeah 4" lowering blocks = about $ 40.00 --- dropped leaf springs about = $360.00, man I'd go with the blocks that's just me... we are in a mini recession if not full blown...
That seemed to be a pretty common thing. Not sure if guys flipped the shackles because the springs on these cars tended to sag over time or if they just wanted that "jacked up" look that was in favor at one time in certain parts of the country.
yeah i've just heard (and i don't know from experience, but i've heard) that using the blocks, especially the big ones that they have a tendency to lead to snapped springs. i would think if you knew exactly what you were looking for you could probably go to a junkyard and find some springs from a similar weighted vehicle that were a little shorter (or something) and just swap them. but personally, as i'm doing the same thing to the same year galaxie, i'm just going to be patient and get the new set of leaves and have some spares. i don't want to find out about lowering blocks the hard way while i'm stomping on the gas going around a hard corner 100 miles from home.
I have read that it is not recommended to use a lowering block larger than 2". Something about leverage when applying the brakes or accelerating and you also have to worry about "scrubline" as well when using the blocks that are over 2". I lowered my car with 2" blocks but I did NOT use the hollow aluminum ones. I made you own out of solid steel. No reason for the steel other than the fact that I do not like the appearance of the aluminum ones, they just don't look strong to me. I have had no problems using 2" blocks (1938 Olds coupe with Jeep Cherokee leaf springs and two inch steel lowering blocks).
My 62 has 4.25" blocks on the rear, and being a 4 door it has the 5 leaf setup for a little more strength. With a 390 & a 2500+ stall converter I've peeled out plenty of times and never had any problems/breakage (yet). So if you are just building a stock driver I wouldn't worry about anything. I even fabbed up a simple drive shaft hoop for peace of mind.
Well i know what I gotta do... wish I had my pops with me so I can ask him.. ****er died on me... and left me with this hobbie in my blood and soul .. and died. not cool pops.. Happy fathers day Dad, hope to see you soon...
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