59 ford f-100 lowering options

wondering how to lower a 59 ford f-100 without cutting a c-notch in the frame. i'm only fifteen and really don't want to mess up on the frame. i still have a ways to go before i start on it. but i figure i'll ask so i know in the future. any other ways to customize the truck in general without doing too much too the body would be fantastic

 

Got any money to spend?

 

not really but i'll try and save

 

Hey, Check out Sacramento Vintage Ford and the Truck Shop, they have mono springs and full leaf drop springs, (also Mac's Antique Auto Parts and Obsolete & Cl***ic Auto Parts-they all have free catalogues). And check out Nostalgia Sids-he seems to be the expert on drop straight axles. Also check out the 57-60 F100 group if you havent yet. Lots of good posts on dropping your rig and almost anything else you can think of. Hope to be doing this to my truck soon. Good luck.

 

ok thanks ill try that

 

take out the bottom three leaves all around. all youll have to buy is new nuts and bolts for the spring pack and pin (just go buy the right sized bolt then grind the head round) and to be on the safe side new u bolts, theyre usually around 10 bucks each. so for around 100 dollars youll get a foot or so lower. or leave the rear leafs alone and flip the axle on top, the weld on bracket and u bolts should only run around 50 bucks, no limit has a whole kit for 99 bucks and its is a great kit, id recommend it.

 

oh wow thanks ill will get to that

 

quick question: by taking out less leaves will i get less lowerage? not really looking to go THAT low.

 

If you just pull every other leaf out of the springs, it will drop the truck noticeably and not cost a bunch of money and time. Low profile tires on 15" rims will get her down some more. Don't get in over your head on a first ride! take it slow, and enjoy driving it while you save up some cash for later mods. Keep in mind that with any lowered truck, haul capacity is very limited.

 

wonderful. yeah you're probably right, no good job is done quickly.

once again thanks and ill keep it under the speed limit

 

let me give you some advice.......be patient and do it correctly and make sure you have a good shop that knows what they are doing. I wanted my 59 f100 lowered. i instantly flipped the rear leafs above the axle without a c notch which was not a good ride. I then ordered a sids 3 inch drop axle with tie rod extensions to lower the front of the car for $400 bucks. then I was not happy with the ride and decided to rush into airbagging the vehicle. i went to a shop that seemed great at the time and i got screwed and now I am in a lawsuit over the front suspension of my vehicle.

Bottom line I will end up paying double for the work by the time all is said and done.

If I were you I would save up your money and do it the right way the first time around to avoid the **** I went through. I suffer from instant gratification syndrome.

My personal opinion which does not mean it is correct, I am going off of personal experience. the front being independant suspension vs straight axle makes a HUGE difference in the handling and the smoothness of your ride. however cost wise it will be more expensive vs drop axle and mono leafs.

here is a link to my build thread maybe you can get some ideas. Good luck
http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=716873&highlight=official+f100

 

Here is the stance of a 58 long bed I did for someone else that I really only spent the majority of the money on the dropped axle from Sid.

Front: Sid's 3" dropped axle and reversed spring eyes with one leaf removed
Rear: Flipped and moved up front spring hangers, reversed spring eyes, one leaf removed and two overload leaves removed, and built longer shackles.

It has about 2-1/2" of suspension travel in the rear and probably 3-1/2" or so in the front before anything hits a rubber bumper.

The guy that owned the truck didn't necessarily want to notch the frame and wanted to haul a Harley in the back, so we left it up in the back a little. If it were mine, I would have just notched it and put some helper bags or something for hauling the bike.

I have lots of pics of when I did this thinking I would do a tech article for Sid...which I haven't gotten around to yet. Let me know if you want to see any of the pics.

 

And, here was the "before" for reference on how much it came down.

 

thanks everyone, like i said i have much time to think about all this stuff. truck doesn't run yet but it is close. and i haven't even touched the body yet. there are a few things to fix here and there before customizing begins, and my top priority is to get her running great so i can drive to and from high school next year.

 

and guthriesmith that second picture is about what she's standing at right now.

 

i know it not the same...but
here some reading::
http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=531700

http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=574713

 

once again, thanks everyone for all the great info, just got back from hooking up the radiator. went great. thinking about starting a build thread. whatta you guys think?

now if i could only figure out how to post photos

 

take a picture and put it on your computer. then go make yourself a photobucket account, and load it on there. copy and past Image code from your album and wallah, its on here

 

any other ways? tried 20 times to sign up on photobucket, wouldn't let me on there,

 

Download them to an album in your profile on here then do the same as far as copying the link.

 

yep thats how i do it -but off my computer,,just can't load a **** load at once.

 

Go slow young squire...

Get the truck running first and get it reliable. Put some miles on it. Get to know it. Then go about modifying it. Many good vehicles get s****ped or parted out because a owner sets his sights higher than his skill levels or pocketbook will take him.

Good luck... F100's are cool.

 

yes, that's the plan. and once again pictures won't come through, they keep failing.

 

p/m on pictures

 

OK.here ya go-

 

thanks, man. and yes. that in the back is all parts. got enough to build another truck. will have TONS left over afterwards, both original and repop. and will sell a bunch. will trade a nice water pump for some headers or some sort of exaust system.

 

Truck looks solid! Whats the plans man?

 

yes, she's the most solid thing i've ever seen. well first is to get it running good, and i'm close, i put in that radiator today, then those black spots are were rust has been fixed, (i am proud to say that it's about 95% rust free.)
as soon as it runs i'm gonna pull it out back and finish that black primer job, and make a few small mods here and there, ya know, small stuff. and then ride the heck out of it until i can afford bigger and bigger mods until its a good lookin' mild kustom, with black steelies and white walls. maybe a light pearl green with metal fleck emerald scallops.

whew.

 

Cool sounds good man! Cant wait to see more updates!

 

alright! can't wait to see your wheels coming along either.