1952-59 Ford Anyone install Drop Spindles and Aerostar Springs?

Hi all:

Just like most people, I've installed aerostar coils on my 53, but I'd still like to get the front another couple inches lower. Has anyone here installed both? And have you had any problems with s****ing or being too low? Right now, even with aerostars, I think my frame is 7 inches off the ground. How much lower will fatman drop spindles get me, and will it cause problems being much lower?

Thanks

 

Many have and are here on the HAMB. It makes it pretty low for continuous driving And many choose one or the other. The Areostars are compound wound and are soft for the first moves. If you do both I see you going back to your original springs cutting coils out one at a time until you find the rake or look you want with a ride you can live with.
Good luck..

 

I did. Then removed the Aerostars and put originals back in. It was just too low.

 

View attachment 5036326 I have both. Still thinking about lowering just a tad more in the front. Also - used KYBs - but a little bouncy in the front for me...maybe tighten up with a more aggressive compression. View attachment 5036326

 

front shot... 2 1/2" lowered spindles w/Aerostar springs. Of course, I am in SoCal....

 

Would like to know myself as well. I bought aerostar springs & thinking of running Granada discs/spindles with it as well, I hear the disc swap drops it few more inches on top of the aerostar springs.
Any rubbing? Ride quality?

 

Like others have said, many have done both but that is where the similarities typically end. There are many other factors at play that affect the ride quality:

• weight of engine
• shocks
• wheels (offset)
• tires
• how/where you drive the car
• familiarity with driving lowered cars

I have the Granada spindles reamed just enough to get the castle nut on (maximum drop) plus the aerostars and I'm also using the KYB shocks. I have 15" wheels and 205/75 tires and am running an '87 5.0 which is lighter than a Yblock.
The frame at its lowest is 4" off the ground.
My daily driver is an OT lowered car that will bottom out going over certain speed bumps too fast or any place where there is a drastic change in the angle of the driveway/parking lot entrance.
The same is true for my 55 and you get used to how to approach certain entrances or look for ways around certain speed bumps. I also have to be careful cruising down the freeway at speed when coming to a transition between the road and a bridge as sometimes those will cause the suspension to compress enough to cause bump steer.
If you want to just jump into your car and drive it without having to consider certain things like that then I would suggest you pick one or the other but not both. I personally prefer slow and low.
As for s****ing, I only have an issue in parking lots on the left side of the car and I suspect it has to do with some fender repairs I need to make in the top center of the wheel opening.
Hope this answers your questions

 

50'sboy, what does being in socal have to do with anything? What size front wheels and tires? Ever hit the bottom of the front inner fenders ? I like low, just not slow.

 

I had Aerostar springs an Granada spindles on my wagon bottom out a lot run 215/75 tire on front had the bump stops cut as short as I could took springs an spindles off put 2 1\2 drop spindles an new stock springs drives an rides good no bottoming out I drive mine a lot on all types of roads lowered one inch in the back

 

Road conditions in SoCal - while ****py - aren't nearly what a lot of rodders have to put up with across the country.
No rubbing...Front 215-55ZR17, Rear 235-55ZRx17. I have the Boss 351 - so 550# engine, 140# C6.
I like fast....and hit the brakes hard when I see an 'oh my Gosh"!

 

Haha I love those, true, true!

• how/where you drive the car
• familiarity with driving lowered car

I guess people should just list the outer diameter of their wheel, tire combo to compare?

yeah can one put up with driving a way lowered car all the time???

Also do you have your favorite cruise spots and will your car hang up on a dip or bump in a parking lot?

I guess things to consider when not having an adjustable suspension.

I am also going to try the springs, I bought the AC delco ones and bought the rubber spacers just incase I need to lift it some. I think I only have like 6" or less clearance on my from crossmember. It already lowere by cutting the front springs, wont post yet as it really cooky right now.

This is for my 57 Ford with a 351 engine. I'll be going back to the 14" G78 wheels and tires (28.25") dia, gotta get those first before doing the springs upfront though.
Im a few weeks out as I got a few other checklist items before stance! dance!

@50sboy you just wanted to show off the cool engine bay, wow!!! you should post a side shot though.

 

Sounds like doing a bagged front suspension would suit you better,let it down to "look cool" and raise it up so you can drive it without issues. Not sure how the roads are around Placerville but ultra low and potholes ain't no fun,here in Phoenix the heat ruins our roads and potholes are abundent not fun in even a daily driver.

 

Looks like they have about everything to put you on your way. https://www.speedwaymotors.com/shop/air-suspension~6-16-463

 

Dropped spindles but original springs. HRP

 

cut coils on your stock springs? Tighter ride than aerostars I'll bet?

 

I didn't cut them, they are stock original 6 cylinder springs and the car rides like a Cadillac. HRP

 

Beautiful long roof....just perfect!

 

I think this gets overlooked a lot. I have two '55s - a Town Sedan with the original Y-block and a Vic with a 289. Both have KYB shocks. When I put the Aerostar springs in the Vic with the much lighter 289, it basically brought the ride height back down to the old, worn out stock spring height of the TS.

 

Thank you sir. HRP

 

I happen to have KYBs to use on my setup. What the alternative? Stock shocks? Or is there and alt number
Thanks

 

I have Aerostar springs and Versailles spindles on my wagon. The spindles are around a 1" drop from stock. I could go at least 1" more with no issues but I run 6.70 tires. They are a little narrower than the radials most like to use.

 

Dropped front end with 2.5" drop spindles and stock springs. Rear lowered with 1" lowering blocks.

 

Looks like your rear shackles are reversed to raise the rear.

 

Mine just has Aerostars and I have noticed it has settled probably an inch at least since I installed them about 8 years ago.

 

Yes they were. When I put the rear springs back in I goofed and had the shackles in that way. I flipped them back. I'll see if I have a current picture.

 

Mine, Aerostar’s and 2 inch blocks

 

Some guys have been known to keep a crow bar in the trunk to flip the shackles when changing a rear tire.

 

Here's a updated pic.

 

I have both and 3" blocks out back.

 

How high is your frame off the ground? Do you have any problems scaping?