Its been a couple years since any of the previous threads involving lowering Chieftains has been posted in so I am curious if anyone has any new information? I saw tons of info on early 50s Chieftains but nothing on the 55+. I have the entire front end out of the car now so its the perfect time to swap springs etc. The rear is easy, just add some lowering blocks. The front seems to be the trouble area, the only thing I have found is people cutting springs but I would prefer not to do that. I also saw someone post that they were going to use 80s S10 springs but there was no follow up in that thread. Also, for anyone running lowered Chieftains or similar, which shocks are you using? I found Monroe 5751 for the front. For the rear I came across some Monroe load adjust or Monroe cheapo 31000, which crosses to a KYB 344097. I would like to have matching shocks all around though. I am worried if I lower the car it may take the stock spec shocks and put them out of their range and cause them to blow out or leak faster.
I tried using the 31000 for the rear of mine, it has an inch shorter extended length than the factory shock, which may be fine for a lowered car depending on how you lower it. But on a 55 the rear end doesn't hang down far enough to easily remove the tire and wheel. I found a longer shock that would bolt in and same series as the 31000. I'll have to go back and try to find the number, i've posted it on here before.
OK, so for some updates. The front end will be going back together this week. Some specs on shocks: Front: OE Replacement: Monroe Sensatrac 5751: 8.5 compressed length, 13.44 extended, 4.94 travel length. My choice: Monroe Sensatrac 5829: same mounting, 7.125 compressed length, 10.75 extended length, 3.625 travel length. I am hoping it isn't too short of a shock absorber extended length, but I guess that will depend on just how much it ends up being lowered.
Rear: OE Replacement: Monroe 31000 Matics(garbage shocks): 12" compressed length, 19.5 extended length and 7.5" travel My choice: Monroe 37098 Sensatrac: 11.75 compressed length, 18.25 extended length, 6.5 travel. Secondary option I declined: 32207 Monroe Matic, once again, horrible quality shocks but specs for those wondering 11.25" compressed length, 17.875 extended and 6.625 travel. The rear shocks I wont be installing until later this week when the lowering blocks come in but I will keep everyone posted.
A dropped spindle or upright and a stepped lower A-arm (raising the ball joint platform 2") will allow you a full length shock. A cut or shorter coil will take away shock length. A small coil drop (2") may allow the stock shock to perform or survive. You must make the drop decision and THEN take the next step of shock size, type and length.
Until I figure out a different front coil option I will be using blocks in the rear and cutting the front coil springs. It will get me by for a few months until I come up with something different since there seem to be so few options for this car. The car currently had/has all ORIGINAL 1957 shocks in it, so they need to go anyway. Worst case if I need to swap them out I will contact my parts guy and he will warranty them out for me under my shop wholesale account.
When i did the swap to a ball joint 58 front end it had a 2" drop because of the raised centerline of the spindle. I used 63 spindles like the article, can't say the differance is on a 58 spindle. Of course this is all gone now from my car.
Went with OE front shock part number, the shorter one would have limited control arm movement too much. Stuck with the above mentioned rear shock because the shorter distance wasnt much and I refuse to install Monromatics in anything I own, KYB does make a stock length option I will swap out for if these fail for any reason. Also, if you take a look at where the rear shock mounts on the lower the shock mount position you realize lowering the car doesnt change the shock mounting spot at all since it mounts under the leaf and axle is over the leaf. I cut half a coil in the front and when I removed the rear helper spring/shock ***emblies the whole car came down an inch or so. I will post some pics later on. In the mean time I cant lower the car any further due to the current wheel fitment so until I purchase new wheels and sell these it will have to stay where it is.
I dont plan on cutting coils any further, next step will be 2" drop spindles in the front and 2" lowering blocks in the back after the wheels.
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