Hello, I´m from germany, and i´m building a 54 Chevy 210. Currently the car is under construction, but in the summer I´m driving it as it is. I´ve c-framed it in the rear, airbagged it in all of the 4 corners, installed a 350-350 combination, installed a 12v system, changed the headlights for a pair of a 55 chevy (not on the pics), upholstered the car in white metal flake vinyl and a few other things. Now to my question, I hope that a few 54 Chevy owners may help me. In the rear the car is sitting on the ground, but in the front it is still a few inches higher. I´m using the stock front suspension, no Camaro clip or Mustang II. I´ve cutted the lower a-arms to accept the airbags and I´ve installed dropped uprights from fatman fab. I think the car looks "goofy" with the front higher than the rear, when I lower it to the ground. Can you give me a few tips or photos, to solve my problem? Or is it impossible, because I don´t want to buy me a clip or Mustang front end, or channel the car. Is it possible to lower it a few inches more? If there are any frame changes needed, no problem, but i don´t want to channel the crate? Thanks for your help and patience with an european h.a.m.b rookie. I really like this site full with cool pics, tricks and interssting stuff cheers
Looks low to me! It seems there was a post where someone modified the stock lower arms to allow extra drop. I guess if your really ambitious you could "step" the front suspension, but that seems like a lot more work.
Your about as low as your going to get without dropped uprights or steped lower control arms. Good post here. http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=317696
@unsafe6 thanks for your tip, the link is very useful. But I´ve already installed dropped uprights from fatman fab. Can I combine the method from the link with my already installed uprights? I think it won´t fit, but thanks a lot
You could Z the frontend(much like how you stepped the rear rails over the rearend. Basically just cut the frame rails in front of and behind the front cross member and move the whole ***emble up the desired amount and weld back together. PS....I think it looks pretty *****in with a little reverse rake.
When you say "Fatman dropped uprights" are you saying their standard drop or their "Ultra-Low" version? I would think that even mod'd '54 A-arms would bring it down if they're the Ultras. With the Ultra-Low [and Fatman's A-arms] my '53 grounds-out with no issue. You're probably way ahead of this thought, but is something else [shocks perhaps] bottoming before the rest? Good Luck in finding your solution...
in the front the k member is the lowest part of the car even with a MII the front will always be higher un less you modifie or get ride of the k member in most cases it means raising the motor as well
i was going to suggest what the other readers are saying so not much help from me But i have a question since your in germany could you maybe help me a little im looking for parts for a 1958 ford taunus a german car do you know where a guy from nebraska can get any help book for parts or salvage yard with english speaking people you can message me if you want all help is needed this was my parents car and i just got it back and it need alot of help thank you huskersnb2
@huskersnb2 give me some time to see how I can help you with your german Ford. By the way, my father owned one too. Thank you for all your replies, boys. I will check them this evening.
@Gambino Kustoms Yes you´re right. The trans mount k-member is the lowest part of the car in the front. We have taken a few measurements, and I think, that there will be no big problems to change or modify it. But there is another problem. When I´m lowering the car the lower a-arms are touching the upper part of the axle, after the car is lowered to the max and the airbaigs lost the air. I´ve found a pic of how to solve the problem (not my ride) in true european style. They cutted away a few inches of the upper part (whats the english word for this part?) of the axle. Everyone who is familar with 54 Chevy Front Suspension will see what I mean. Is this method practicable? Or should I find another method with your help? I think if I´m doing it the way as shown on my pic, I should brace the "cutted" upper part a lot. Thanks a lot for your help
Yeah, they cut the spring pocket, i think that is what you meant. Nothin wrong with that, everybody does it, just reinforce it a bit. To get lower i think you can either step the a arms, or z the frame. Or maybe just cut the balljoint part and weld it back at an angle to allow more travel b4 binding. If you decide to Z the frame measure vey carefully as the motor will be rised too. at least i think so, im not too familiar w/ those cars. Little note. I think the car looks pretty good already, but i feel what you say.
Look under the front end, whats hitting the ground? looking at the pics the front k member is on the ground: If it is touching then you only have 2 options Z the frame ( raise the front suspension ) or get shorter tires. If the K member isnt touching cut the lower upright mount off of the lower control arms and step it up, there are a few threds on here to explain how. MrC.
Ok, thanks a lot guys. Here are two pics of my car. I´ve taken them while the car was on the lift in my garage. One photo with the lower a arm colliding the spring pocket when lowerd, and the second one with the lowest part of the frame when hitting the ground. To deal with the problem of the colliding spring pocket , I will step it the lower a-arm, as shown on the thread. Will there be any problems with my dropped steerin arms and dropped uprights? Or will there be new problems with the steering geometry? To deal with the ground hitting k member (I hope that we are talking about the same thing), I will built me a new smaller one with a bit more clearance and a new transmission mount. I will post new pictures! Thank you
thank you i just said that a few posts back you can z the frame all you want the k member is still the lowest piont! and it works better if u use the 5" slam bags instead of 6" bags heres a good thred on bagging a stock front end we sell 5" slams , bag plates with all our uprites and steering arm bag kits http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=152076
Ok guys, today I´ve bought me a few metal plates, square tubbing, grinding discs and a new roll of welding rod. I will start cutting and welding tomorrow and will be working the whole weekend. I will built me a new kmember, modify my spring pockets and so on. I will post new pictures soon. Cheers
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