lowering my 49

[tonkadawg]

hey guys - noob here and looking for advice (did search, but didn't turn up what I was looking for). I want to lower my 49, but without a MII front end, 4 link back half and all that. Right now, just looking for a quick easy (read cheap) way to drop the truck a few inches all around.

Can I just remove leafs from the spring packs for the front and use lowering blocks in the rear? Or am I gonna need to pick up mono springs or something like that?

Also, not sure if it makes a difference, but the rear end is out of a 57 chevy - I'll know more when I get the truck.

Thanks!

Matt

[BIG CHEVY 3600]

The rear should not be a problem getting low, the front is another case.
I decided on a MII for mine because I wanted a better suspension up front. You can go with a dropped axle up there; that is pricey however. Just my opinion but to mess with the leaf springs and other parts up there could have unintended consequences. JMO

[1-ton of fun]

steering geometry needs to be taken into account when lowering the front, or you will end up with baaaad bump steer problems.

[tonkadawg]

alright so trying to read up more on this - I understand why not to pull a leaf from the spring pack.

Aside from picking up $800 in new springs and/or dropped axle, is there any way to drop the truck?

[1-ton of fun]

you can remove a leaf, you would need to put shorter bump stops in also. the downside is you lose spring rate as you remove leaves from the pack, so you have less travel and less spring rate also, so the truck will tend bottom out the suspension on big bumps more often.

in the front you need to address the steering linkage when you get the truck to the ride height that you want, and you need to make sure there is enough suspension travel left.

an easy way to drop the back is to "flip" axle - mount the axle on top of the spring pack instead of on the bottom. that would drop the rear about 5 inches give or take.

how low do you want to go? that will help with recommendations on how to get there

[mr48chev]

His axle should already be above the rear springs. Lowering blocks will get it down in the back.

I pulled a couple of leaves out of my front springs to get it down 19 years ago to get the trick together to go to one event and never got around to changing out the front end. I also cut the rubber bumpers down to get a bit of room. The good is it is low. The bad is that it does ride rough and bottom out a lot and the steering isn't great. After driving a couple hundred miles I have suffered sore chest muscles from steering the truck.
I also have 195x14 tires on the front on 14x7 rims and run 255 x 15 on the rear on 15x8 rims.

This will get it low but I don't think you will want to do many long road trips with it like this as mine at least takes constant driving and not much relaxing behind the wheel.

It is coming apart in the next few weeks in prep for a MII front end and complete makeover on the whole truck.

[mylow53]

i removed the bump stops on the front and used a strip of conveyer belt over the top of the u-bolts as a bump stop. i also pulled out 2 or 3 front springs. eventually my old springs broke and i used vice grips to hold them together. (and yes i was comitted to being low) I also dearched the rears since i wasn't sure the lowering blocks would work on 14" rims. incase i had a blow out.... the dearching stiffen my suspension so when i cornered it didn't lean as much. i had this truck in this configuration for 20 years..... not that safe but Low Baby

[tonkadawg]

Originally Posted by 1-ton of fun

an easy way to drop the back is to "flip" axle - mount the axle on top of the spring pack instead of on the bottom. that would drop the rear about 5 inches give or take.

how low do you want to go? that will help with recommendations on how to get there

Originally Posted by mr48chev

His axle should already be above the rear springs. Lowering blocks will get it down in the back.

I'll take some pics of the axle when I get the truck next week and find out if it's above or below the springs.

I know this isn't the preferred method so I'm not expecting too much - maybe 2-3"? Later on, I'll consider a MII front, mono springs or new axle.

Can I use just any set of blocks for the rear? I've never used them before, but I would think they're all the same right?

Originally Posted by mr48chev

I pulled a couple of leaves out of my front springs to get it down 19 years ago to get the trick together to go to one event and never got around to changing out the front end. I also cut the rubber bumpers down to get a bit of room. The good is it is low. The bad is that it does ride rough and bottom out a lot and the steering isn't great. After driving a couple hundred miles I have suffered sore chest muscles from steering the truck.
I also have 195x14 tires on the front on 14x7 rims and run 255 x 15 on the rear on 15x8 rims.

This will get it low but I don't think you will want to do many long road trips with it like this as mine at least takes constant driving and not much relaxing behind the wheel.

It is coming apart in the next few weeks in prep for a MII front end and complete makeover on the whole truck.

Originally Posted by mylow53

i removed the bump stops on the front and used a strip of conveyer belt over the top of the u-bolts as a bump stop. i also pulled out 2 or 3 front springs. eventually my old springs broke and i used vice grips to hold them together. (and yes i was comitted to being low) I also dearched the rears since i wasn't sure the lowering blocks would work on 14" rims. incase i had a blow out.... the dearching stiffen my suspension so when i cornered it didn't lean as much. i had this truck in this configuration for 20 years..... not that safe but Low Baby

I was thinking maybe pulling 1 or 2 springs for the front. I don't think I'd want more than that. Does it matter which ones I pull? Any idea of how much of a drop that will get me?

Thanks again guy!

Matt

[mariojb]

My '53 has removed springs. I then installed a steering stabilizer and a front sway bar and I have no problems with drivin.

[1-ton of fun]

the blocks will only lower the truck if the axle is mounted above the springs, if it is below, they will lift the truck.

[tonkadawg]

Originally Posted by mariojb

My '53 has removed springs. I then installed a steering stabilizer and a front sway bar and I have no problems with drivin.

how many springs did you remove? What kind of stabilizer and sway did you get and where did you get them? Also do you have any pictures of your set up?

Originally Posted by 1-ton of fun

the blocks will only lower the truck if the axle is mounted above the springs, if it is below, they will lift the truck.

excellent point - thanks!