hi all. Beginning in a week or two my '53 210 will begin its full ground up...this fall and winter: the chassis. I have a decent 235 and an early '70's nova 4 speed saginaw and rear end, and we are going to completely rebuild the front end, including lowering a bit. I am hoping after all is said and done to be down 3" in the front...maybe even four, but it isn't necessary. i understand i can get dropped uprights and steering arms for about 2 1/2". we have tossed the idea around of cutting out the lower arm spring pockets for some more drop, or perhaps this "coil spring specialties" place (or somewhere like it) can get me there with custom springs. Here is a list of what i intend to buy and i want to get a feel from the Chevy people if i have my bases covered on stuff that i'll need. fr. end rebuild kit: http://www.chevsofthe40s.com/press/13/1939-54 CHEVROLET CAR FRONT END REBUILD KITS.html spindles...the others were really chewed up: http://www.speedwaymotors.com/Mr-Roadster-1949-54-Chevy-Car-Modified-Spindles,3302.html plus Fatman or (suggestions?) dropped uprights and steering arms. for the rear, there will be and inch or two of lowering but we'll handle that as needed. Anything you all have to suggest or tell me to keep in mind would be appreciated. check the site below for progress pics. thanks. Kurt "El Vato" http://www.thesandmshop.com/
sounds like you got it about covered.. A "C" notch out back will drop you lower..the dropped uprights and steering arms is a good route too..and possibly custom coil springs up front. Eaton can build you a spring, there not too bad $ wise just watch your scrub line , theres only so far you can go without it snow balling
You might want to check before you buy the spindles from Speedway....I'm thinking those are designed for their front dropped axles, and straight axle kits. I don't think those are designed for use on original Chevy front ends....I thought I saw that posted somewhere in their catalog....? Watch how much you drop the front end...on my 50, I used custom made springs (4" lower) and the tires rub in the turns.
A drop spring kit from Jamco is probably the most economical. Check out their website or give them a call...there good guys. I used there stuff on my 50' and it work out great.
thanks everyone. anybody know where i can get new spindles? it looks from speedway's website that theirs are, indeed, for straight axle setups.
Buffalo Enterprises mods your OE uprights 2" lower...my opinion is there better than fabricated uprights (FatMan) and Steve up there knows what he is doing big time,or he wouldnt have been in business so long, and you DO NOT need steering arms with his,mine drove perfect and 1/2 the price,those along with 3" Jamco coils and the front sat great...I also ran Jamco lowering rear spring with 2" blocks and 4 new Monroe Sensa-Trac shocks,cruised like a new car.
@ slammed49: thanks. that is the kind of stuff i was looking for. so 2" dropped uprights and 3" dropping coils don't, sort of, cancel each other out in a way? please explain if you come back to this thread. @53sled: if i said "dropped spindles", it was a mistake. what i need are new spindles to put my hubs on because they are all dinged up...and dropped uprights or a combo of whatever to get a healthy, safe, drop for the least amount of money.
We just did a post on lowering in the '50s. Some of the stuff you won't want to do because it just isn't acceptable any more. But there is some good info there. At least some interesting info. http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=516370 One thing that didn't get covered probably because it is more of a '60s thing was or is rewound station wagon springs. real popular with the roundy round guys and the street guys that wanted to get lower and handle better than stock. Any spring house should be able to handle it for you. You should be able to pick up a couple of inches easy that way. Just FYI not advise. looks like you got a plan.
jamco does have good stuff if you can get ahold of them... when i had my 54 chevy i bought 4 inch drop leafs from them, they sent me the springs but they were wrong.... ok no problem i will just call them and let them know whats going on, called them... no answer, email... nothing... sent them a pm on the hamb....nothing!? i sold the car a month ago i still can't get jamco to respond to my calls,emails,or pms??
Buffalo Enterprises mods your OE uprights 2" lower...my opinion is there better than fabricated uprights (FatMan) and Steve up there knows what he is doing big time,or he wouldnt have been in business so long, and you DO NOT need steering arms with his. Steve's the best, and a great guy to work with.
2"(upright) + 3"(coil) equals a true 5" drop for the front and 4"(spring) + 2" (block) equals a true 6" drop for the rear,trim the snubbers andcruise...occasional bottoming in the rear but oh well! 698326]@ slammed49: thanks. that is the kind of stuff i was looking for. so 2" dropped uprights and 3" dropping coils don't, sort of, cancel each other out in a way? please explain if you come back to this thread. @53sled: if i said "dropped spindles", it was a mistake. what i need are new spindles to put my hubs on because they are all dinged up...and dropped uprights or a combo of whatever to get a healthy, safe, drop for the least amount of money.[/QUOTE]
ok, thanks. http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=317696 Droplord49 posted this. im going to run it by my boss (hamber CAS) and if he is up to the challenge, it's on.
I dont think you can drop the rear 6" without the drive line tunnel and frame getting in the way....would need the tunnel paid attention to, and "C" notching the frame not to mention scubline issues
no help here...don't you have 2 fronts spindles to play with? or are they both bad? Rock out with your sock out
We installed the Fatman dropped uprights and steering arms on my dad's '54 and it went real well. We didn't cut the coils though, he just wanted the 2" (+-) drop. We used lowering blocks in the rear.
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