dropped uprights

Just wanted to show you guys the dropped uprights I built for my '49 Fleetline. my dad and I built a jig based off the stock angles of the factory uprights. cut 'em and re-welded. the car drives great, and my dad has been welding professionally most of his life (he's 74), so I'm guessing they won't break.

 

wow those look factory ! Very nice!

 

Those look great, a little scary welding cast though.

 

I'd guess they were forged, not cast.....at least I'd hope so !

 

They are steel, and I'm certainly not the first to weld on them.
along time ago, I got a set from buffalo engineering and they we're just cut and welded factory uprights and they are still under that car today.

 

Where in Id are you? Do you want to drop some for me?

 

any photos of the jig?

I am thinking about doing this for my 50 olds. I just want to pick up a spare pair of uprights so I do not have to have the car up on stands.

 

I'm in Idaho falls. i do want to build some more, and I'm not
worried about the ones i have under my fleetline, but i want to put some
miles on them before i go building them for other people's cars. if i wreck my car, that's one thing, but if you had problems, that's a whole other ball game......

 

I did the same on my 53 Chevy 3 years ago. They haven't cracked yet. I used the king pin as a "Jig". I attached the old kingpin at both ends to the upright, cut off the upright boss (which still had the fixed kingpin inside), and slid the boss up 2", v'd and preheated, and welded. I figured if the kingpin angle hadn't changed, the geometry should be good..., if not close.

-Torr

 

Looks real nice. Did the same thing a few years ago ,subject came up on here I tried to explain how its done got hammered hard . Go for it man. the store bought ones are made overseas in a shop that yesterday made yard furniture and tomorrow H.F.
hammers .

 

If you are interested in dropping some for other people I could send you a set to do for my 53.

 

Looking into lowering a few inches on my 54 Chevy Sedan. Do not want her slammed, but noticeable difference. Can not decide if I want to cut coil like 1.5 or do the dropped uprights. Rear most likely will be a 2" or 3" block. Any thoughts or advice will help. Thanks
Gonzo

 

Your Chevy looks great! Just right in the front.

Is all the lowering on your car achieved through the new uprights, or are the coils cut a little too?

 

I see that Night Prowlers sells the droped uprights, but I wonder how a car looks with the 2 or 2 1/2 drop. Did you have to modify your steering arm? Your car looks great low up front that way. I hope it all works well for you.

 

e z i, well done...not bad for a newbie Chevy looks cool as hell !
/ primerkid

 

Did you have to modify or replace steering arm? EZI?

 

i got some from buffalo ent. he puts 3 degrees more caster in them . but turn around time was so so but i have no problems

 

Yes, besides the dropped uprights, I removed one coil. Sure, I'm a newbie
to you guys, but I've been ruining cars for about 40 years...........

 

She looks awesome. Thats almost exactly where I want mine to sit. Except I was looking into NCA's dropped uprights and steering arms, plus a 2" or 3" block. Ive just heard its not real necessary to modify the steering arms. What size whites you running on her?

 

I didn't modify the steering arms, and it drives just fine, no bump steer
rears are 225/75/15 fronts are 205/75/15, but they are too big, and they rub the fenders when i turn sharp, so I'm going to 185/80/15. they are about an 1" shorter, and an 1" narrower.

 

I was just kiddin ya' That operation proof's that your not a newbie !.
So your's are steel and I guess you didn't preheat them before welding or ?

/ primerkid

 

Naw I wasn't sweating it, we're all Newbies one time or another. Yes, we pre-heated them before and during welding. Hey! I've been in the Bikini Room at the AZ IKEA, (I think)

 

Old topic but WOW, great car, great work!

Is the tire-rubbing over now?

 

Ezi, you still active here?