Before I get alot of*****... I have allready searched and replied to other threads about this, but wanna get my own thing going for yalls opinions. Im stuck between keeping her sitting like she is, or lowering her. Im looking to do a 3" block in the rear, and cutting a coil in the front. I know the dropped uprights would be the best thing to do in the front, but money wise and simplicity would be cutting coils for now. If I decide I dont like the way it sits, I was thinking about just ordering new coil springs off NCA and cutting those shorter, so I have the originals to replace. Let me know if you have any ideas, or pictures of what it may look like. Below is how it sits now, then I tried a 5-min Photoshop, but I think its lowering than just a 3" haha. Thanks!
2 coils in the front and 3" blocks in the back. The u-bolts in the back will have to be made by a spring shop in order to do it right, (or you can heat and bend I've seen it done but would not recomemnd it). 3 I'nch blocks will giv it a good drop but the shackles will be below the scrub line and will make you bottom out with a full car. I cut the snubbers and put air shocks on mine... Hope this helps and makes since...
Looks real good. Did you fabricate your own blocks or buy a kit? Even if I found a kit, the Ubolts will still have to be fabricated? Also, do you have any problems with the steering or alignment in the front?
buy a 3" lowering block kit from 'chevs of the 40's',,they are specially made for 49-54 chevys and include the correct ubolts and correct width blocks;
Jamco springs are on sale for your car. You could get the lowering springs and not have to cut yours... http://www.jamcosuspension.com/products/sfID1/6/productID/659 you'll see they're offered in 1", 2", or 3" drop. And yes, get the lowering blocks Sam F. mentioned above. Nice looking car you have there. John
Thanks everyone for the support. Just placed order for 3" Coils on Jamco, and 3" Drop from Chev from 40's. Should have the white walls in today, so its gonna look like a comp diff car soon enough. Ill post pics.
http://store.coker.com/g78-15-coker-classic-2-3-4-ww.html here is the link to the tires, I used the Chev. of the 40's blocks on mine, and used pep boys brand blocks on a buddies and he had the bolts made for his. No problems with alignment that I have noticed but its the original equipment so it like to wonder occassionally with the bias plys on there, but nothing to scary..
Thanks alot, I ask because I ordered 3 1/4" Whites for mine, but I am all ready regretting it. I should of went for the 2"s or 1" thats on there. Think the 3" might be too much.
Has anyone used the TCI 3"-4" drop rear leaf kit? It comes with leaves, mounts, shocks, ubolts, etc.... I ordered it and just want to see what it looks like before I install it in my '54.
Will do. As much as I would like for it to look like that photoshop pic, I dont think 3" will make that difference on there haha.
How about lowering AND a 4 inch chop? Chopped mine 4 inches...instead of lowering adding fender skirts and wide whites...creates a cool ride!
3 1/4" whitewalls will look perfect. Don't second guess yourself. You are doing everything correctly...
I put a 54 Chevy front end in my 38 Chevy with a SBC. The front end was so high and so solid that two 225 lb guys jumping on it could not get it to move. I cut 1/2 coil out and you wouldn't believe the difference. A arms travel easily and the car dropped a full 3 inches. After driving it a few hundred miles it settled out and just perfect. One full coil would have been overkill and caused the front to be too stiff. Ask me how I know. The other option is to have your spindles dropped or buying a set.
did you buy this car from a guy in henderson. tx i almost bought a car just like this one about two months back
Got 3 inch blocks, Gambino drop spindle and one coil cut on mine, so if you do not use drop spindles thenyou will need 2 full rounds out of the front.
Heres a link for the 3 different lowering blocks they sell: http://www.chevsofthe40s.com/shop/s...ering+blocks&searchtype=FT&year=1954&dept=car
just picked me up a 53 with rear blocks,chopped top and it still isnt low enuf.. I need to score me some skirts and going to pipe notch the frame. It is a project for my daughter so flat black and purple pinstripe and laced flaked purple roof.. would like to hear more on that rear leaf set up...
Hey guys, I'm doing the same on my 54 bel air 4 door. I was planning on replacing the shocks while I was pulling things apart. What would you suggest for shocks if I'm going w/ 3" blocks in the rear?? Budget is the key with this project but I don't want*****...something in the middle of the road would be great. Thanks in advance.
I've run a couple of different types and have settled on a set of air shocks that work really well. When loading for a show or trip I do not have to worry about weight...plus I carry a box of tools and extra parts like hoses, electrical, fuel pump and such. Good luck
Long time Lurker on the HAMB, first time poster. Figured I would resurrect an old thread before posting a new one on a subject that is often covered I did look through alot of "lowering a 54 posts" did not find what I wanted. Anyway, I just put 3" lowering blocks in the rear of my 54, the car has the stock bump stops but with that block car bottoms out more than I would like. IS the next reasonable step to get leaf springs from jamco or? Any info would is appreciated.
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