G'day everyone Wanting to lower my 1963 Ford Fairlane 500, and wondering how to go about it. I am not very keen on cutting or heating coils, so i was hoping to find some lowered coils available, but so far haven't had any luck finding anyone who makes some. I have heard about the UCA/Shelby drop, but was also wondering if anyone can tell me if this can be done on the 63', as i read it's mainly for 65' and over? Anyway, hopefully some of you might have a few answers and tips for me on lowering this thing, cheers! Oh, and if any of you have know of a supplier of lowered coils for the 63', go ahead and sing out, i am in Australia but could surely get them here somehow. Posted using the Full Custom H.A.M.B. App!
Search dropped spindles, you will no doubg find a manufactturer that makes dropped spindles and springs for it. We used to use rewound station wagion springs. Find you a set of good springs and take them to a spring shop and have them rewound. They can use the entire spring and make it shorter.
I just lowered mine last night. I took out 2 coils, I cut mine. I now have the look I want but the tires rub like a mofo. New smaller tires to be ordered today.
Do a search on here that starts out:"A cheap and great alternative....", of folks using Ford Aerostar springs on this era vehicle. Not sure if you have a similar vehicle down under, but see if it's applicable to your vehicle.
Read through here, and see if it's been done on your vehicle: http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=260795&highlight=cheap+great+alternative
De-Be give Betta Truck and Car Springs in Dandenong or Oakleigh Spring works a call. Just rememebr it aint low till the bumpstops hold it up....
Don't heat your springs but you can cut a 1/2 coil at a time,,it will amaze you how much drop you will get. HRP
The 'Shelby drop' can't be done on the 62-65 Fairlanes or Mercury Meteors as the suspension design is different from every other Ford car of that vintage. Best bet is springs and/or dropped spindles...
This is my car, 2 coils cut on front stock rear. I like it as is. 205/75/14 on the front, it does rub a very small amount at full turn.
I have a 64 and I cut 1-1/2 coils out of the front, and a couple leafs in the rear, and am happy with the way it turned out. No problems yet. Which every way you decide, be very careful removing and installing the coils.
Nice rides guys, i found a supplier here that sells 45mm ( about 1mm short of 2") Lowered springs for the 63', i am going to call back tomorrow and ask a few more questions. One question that i do have though is how heigh is the 4 doors stock height? I read "ground clearance" is 140mm, but that i guess is from the lowest point in the underside and not the bottom of doors/sills. So does anyone know what the stock measurement of the bottom of doors/sills is, so i can measure mine-check if its stock as is-then subtract the 45 and see how it'd look?
http://www.flickr.com/photos/90368682@N06/10959809844/lightbox/ http://www.flickr.com/photos/90368682@N06/10959862293/lightbox/
I cut mine years and years ago plus I'm using Granada spindles to get disk brakes on the front. I got tie rod ends from crites but this was in the mid 1990's too I don't know if he is even around anymore Posted using the Full Custom H.A.M.B. App!