55-59 straight axle
 

Hey guys I’m just about done with the disc brake conversion kit on my 56 Chevy truck. So I got to thinking. Since I’m using the dropped axle and leaf springs in front. And everyone tells me it’s going to ride like crap lol. So I was thinking could I get away with using a coilover shock in the front instead of a regular shock to improve the ride? Does it not work like that or what do you guys think? Thank you

Re: 55-59 straight axle
 

Do any of the guys saying it will ride like crap have a '56 with a dropped axle? The best thing you can do is drive it, and see for yourself.

Re: 55-59 straight axle
 

Almost done

Re: 55-59 straight axle
 

I sure hope it rides better then people say. I’m doing everything I can to make sure it’s all correct. So hopefully it all works well

Re: 55-59 straight axle
 

I don't think "ride like crap" is accurate. "Ride like a straight axle 60 year old truck" is a lot more accurate. When one wheel hits a bump that wheel will rise as offset by the leaf spring lengthening on the moving shackle, which causes the opposite side wheel to move down some as limited by...right you guessed it - a leaf spring moving on a swinging shackle limited by a shock absorber.

The straight axle isn't terrible, it's just what it is. It's made for heavy work which is why; for example, some 1 ton trucks and larger still have them.

Do the work, install good gas shocks and consider using teflon between the leaves to minimize friction and you'll have as good a ride as you can probably get.

Re: 55-59 straight axle
 

Dan is right. I would add that everything will be new and tight on yours after getting the new axle put in so it will better than most think. Make sure everything is well greased and run tires with proper sidewall height and it will be fine. My 56 GMC with 1 leaf removed in the front rides great, just a pain to turn when stopped :)

Re: 55-59 straight axle
 

Who told you it's going to ride like crap? That sort of suspension snobbery really makes me mad and it's simply not true. I've had lots of hot rods with straight axles that rode smooth and handled like they were on rails. Even with bias ply tires too. The only caveat is that all the front end components have to be in top notch condition.

Re: 55-59 straight axle
 

I'm running a dropped straight axle on my 59. I really like it. As said above, it is what it is - a 60 year old truck. I had issues with ride and bumpsteer when I did the drop. A good set of gas shocks and an adjustable drag link fixed everything.

Re: 55-59 straight axle
 

Ok thank you very much. I have the adjustable drag link and heavy duty tie rod already installed. Also new kingpin bearings all from Sid. I need shocks. But that had me thinking about putting the coilover instead of the shock

Re: 55-59 straight axle
 

I thought about the coilover option, but decided against it. Coilovers have a bigger diameter than a regular shock. It seemed like coilovers could have interfered with the tire/wheel I am using. I didn't want to buy new front tires again...

Re: 55-59 straight axle
 

Let me put it this way, I had a Camaro clip on my frame and was building it that way. One day at work a guy bought a 50 Chevy AD that had a dropped axle and just looked so nice. I asked him if I could take it for a drive. It rode and drove so nice I went home and put an ad (think it was here) to sell the frame with the Camaro clip. Does it handle as good with an I beam, nope, does it stop as good, nope, but it does everything I will need it to do.

I like the look, and I want to drive an old truck like I drove mine 40 years ago!

Yep, I beam and drum brakes for me!


Brian

Re: 55-59 straight axle
 

Agnes what shock are you running? Thank you

It’s been a while since I got them, but I’m fairly certain they were from Performance Online:

https://www.performanceonline.com/1955-59-Chevy-GMC-Truck-Shock-Absorber-Front-Nitro-Slammer-Each/

I am 100% certain I have the matching set on the rear. Quality product.
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Re: 55-59 straight axle
 

Hey, I forgot to add you MUST have ALL components of your axle in new condition like the king pins and upgrade to new tapered roller bearings and modern tie rod ends. With all that, and gas shocks it will ride BETTER than it did when new.

Re: 55-59 straight axle
 

I replaced all that stuff. I’m upgrading to disc brake conversion kit also. So all that should be good

Re: 55-59 straight axle
 

If you have time and ambition, having HDPE sliders installed on the springs can make a world of difference.

The steering problems are due to GM using "just enough" material in the steering components. Installing stronger parts would go a long way toward changing the steering feel of the vehicle.

Re: 55-59 straight axle
 

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Speaking of the strips between leaves, another thing that is effective to make the spring action smoother is to use your bench grinder to grind a small bevel on the leading edge of each end of the leaves where they sit on top of the leaf below. This is especially effective if you don’t use Teflon or HDPE.

Re: 55-59 straight axle
 

On my 53 I'm having Pete and Jakes make me a tubular 4" drop axle. I will be running QA-1 duel adjustable shocks. I am running 12.88" Wilwood 6 piston brakes and a sway bar. All new parts in chrome. solid shackle bushings. Teflon pads.I put well over 100,000 miles on this truck stock. I think it will drive just fine. Properly set up leaf springs work quite well. If I wanted it to drive like a Porsche I would drive one one of those. JMHO.

Re: 55-59 straight axle
 

Exactly! :metal:

I love these old cars for what they are!

Hot rod them customize them, sure. But the basic car or truck made back then is just so simple and cool, I love driving them every day.

Brian

Re: 55-59 straight axle
 

Which is what's nice about this hobby because many of us WANT these trucks but drove them enough they way they originally drove. In my case I want the Corvette IFS. I got tired of driving it with the I beam axle.

Strokes/folks!

Re: 55-59 straight axle
 

So-cal to Northern Indiana 5 times, bone stock. I was young.

Re: 55-59 straight axle
 

I took my springs down to my local spring shop and he went thru them. If those don’t work out I will go with the dual posie springs. Or take a couple leafs out of a extra set of leaf springs I have. I heard posie makes a custom bilstein shock for lowered truck applications like mine. Anyone use those?

Re: 55-59 straight axle
 

Dodge used the solid axle on pickups until 1970......

Re: 55-59 straight axle
 

Yep, and they worked! WOW! LOL

Brian

Re: 55-59 straight axle
 

Actually, Dodge used solid axles on 4wd pickups until 2001. Changed to coil springs, yes. But still solid front axles.