Lowering a 1957 GMC 3/4 ton

[Riggs'57]

I recently aquired a 57 GMC 3/4 ton battleship and I'm wondering what my options for lowering it fairly low in the front (I already know the plans for the rear end). Fairly low means 5-8 inch drop to me. I'd like to use what is already there, no subframe install. Are there drop axles for 3/4 ton trucks? How many leafs can I take out of the front 3/4 ton springs before I have suspension travel issues? Any help would be appreciated!

[56chevy1300]

Best thing to do is call a place like Classic Performance Products and see if the drop axle they sell will fit a 3/4 ton. I think you could take out 2 or 3 leafs to achieve a 3" drop, something like that.

[CAL 58 GMC]

Mono leaf springs and a dropped axle would be the way to go. I don’t think your going to get it that low with just removing a few leaf springs. As 55chevy1300 said, go to Classic Performance Products, they should have all you need to get your truck down to were you want it. Here’s a link to Cpp's web site for the mono leaf springs that will get you 3" lower http://www.classicperform.com/Store/...s/4754CTFR.htm Here their dropped axle that would get you another 3" lower http://www.classicperform.com/Store/...cks/4754DA.htm
Between the two you can get 6" lower from stock height.

[56chevy1300]

here is a pic of a 1/2 ton with mono leaf springs...gave the truck 3.5" of drop...not much clearance left!

[56chevy1300]

Hey Cal 58 GMC, I was told that you couldn't do both because of clearance/bumpsteer???

[northerngmc]

For springs you could try and spring shop for big trucks. They will usually make up custom springs.

[solidaxel]

Why do you want to keep it as a 3/4 ton?

[CAL 58 GMC]

Originally Posted by 56chevy1300

Hey Cal 58 GMC, I was told that you couldn't do both because of clearance/bumpsteer???

You could be right, since I have never lowered a straight axle before. Everything I have ever lowered has been with coil springs and dropped spindles. If it were me I would contact Classic Performance Products and ask them.

[Riggs'57]

Why do I want to keep it a 3/4 ton? Simply put, I set a very low budget for my hotrods now that I'm in college and have no income until this summer. Also I like to use what is already there for the most part. If I had a little more cash (and tools), I might consider changing out front clips and a rear axle. I think a low budget is more fun anyway, I have to scrounge the scrap yards, use old parts, and thats just fun to me!

[tiggerstoy]

Originally Posted by Riggs'57

Why do I want to keep it a 3/4 ton? Simply put, I set a very low budget for my hotrods now that I'm in college and have no income until this summer. Also I like to use what is already there for the most part. If I had a little more cash (and tools), I might consider changing out front clips and a rear axle. I think a low budget is more fun anyway, I have to scrounge the scrap yards, use old parts, and thats just fun to me!

some of the best creations have been done do to the fact that the builders did not have alot of ca$h!

[solidaxel]

I guess we all started out like that, our time was only worth $.05 hr. which ment we had more time than money!
But now 40 years later all the time and NO ENERGY!!
Stay young forever, build Hot Rods!!!

[EAST SIDE LOW LIFE]

For what it's worth I ordered a Gibbon's front cross member. Allows you to install Chrysler torsion bar susension. You can make this as high or low as you like.

esll.

[1-ton of fun]

i bought a junk 77 nova from a guy for $500. i am using the clip, rear axle, and steering column. i was going to use the motor also, but it turned out to be a 305, and not the 350 it was represented to be, so i gave it away. i should have done my homework there, but i think i got enough parts off of it to justify $500.

[Jebb1978]

Originally Posted by 1-ton of fun

i bought a junk 77 nova from a guy for $500. i am using the clip, rear axle, and steering column. i was going to use the motor also, but it turned out to be a 305, and not the 350 it was represented to be, so i gave it away. i should have done my homework there, but i think i got enough parts off of it to justify $500.

When my Dad did our truck he ended up making money back when he parted out the Camaro.

[1-ton of fun]

i tried to sell some parts off of it. i had a guy that wanted the front sheet metal to replace his that was damaged for $300. but he had no way to haul it.

so i paid $65 for a wrecker to come pick it up. that was pretty entertaining watching a flat bed wrecker drag it off of 4 jack stands, since it had no suspension when i was done with it

[BobTheTrucker]

Does anyone know the difference between a 3/4 ton frame and a 1/2 ton frame on a 1955,56,or57 Chevy truck?
I would like to use a 3/4 ton frame on my 1/2 ton truck, will it work??
I know the springs are bigger on the 3/4 ton but will everything else from the 1/2 ton bolt on the 3/4 ton frame?

[solidaxel]

My guess is only the axles and springs are 3/4 T!!

[1-ton of fun]

the bed is longer. as far as frames, i can take a look at my parts truck. i am building a '59 3/4 ton, my parts truck is a '55 1/2 ton. besides axles, springs, and bed length, i am not sure what else would be different.

my 3/4 ton frame is 0.25" thick, i don't know how thick 1/2 ton frames are

[56chevy1300]

Originally Posted by 1-ton of fun

the bed is longer. as far as frames, i can take a look at my parts truck. i am building a '59 3/4 ton, my parts truck is a '55 1/2 ton. besides axles, springs, and bed length, i am not sure what else would be different.

my 3/4 ton frame is 0.25" thick, i don't know how thick 1/2 ton frames are

I'm not at my shop with my tape measure, but I'm pretty sure my 1/2 ton from is only 1/8" thick.

[solidaxel]

Did they make 3/4 T in a short bed version also?

[BobTheTrucker]

The frame on the 3/4 ton is thicker. The frame looks to be about 13 1/2" longer than my 1/2 ton. If you measure from the back of the frame on the 3/4 ton 13 1/2" to the front your into the rear spring mounts. So the wheel base must be longer also. I'd love to be able to use this frame on my 1/2 ton. I could drive my 1/2 ton around with the six cylinder in it while I get the frame ready. Gas tank , engine and tranny, brakes, front Camaro clip, Tires, rims, paint and save money and get other needed parts, etc. If I can't use the 3/4 ton parts truck I'd love to trade it for a 1/2 ton frame. This is my 55 #/4 ton parts truck

[BobTheTrucker]

I'm getting a red X and no picture.
http://www.imagestation.com/8168237/4027844644

[1-ton of fun]

i don't see why that wouldn't work. the main difference that i can find in the sheet metal, is the bed sides, and there are more bed crossmembers. don't buy any bed wood or strips, and then you should be able to swap everything but the bed sides.

[54Nlow]

Hi,

This is for my very intresting because i have get a GMC 1958 Truck 1/2 ton.

I like lowering in the Front this truck. Ok, my Frend told my i can put the normal Spring under the suspension (axle)

In original the spring of the suspension . When i put this under the suspension can i make this front smart lowering !

Is this possible ?

Thx for the answer and sorry for the bad english ..

FS from germany

[1-ton of fun]

yes, it is usually refered to as "flipping the springs" when you mount them underneath when they were mounted above the axle before.

you will probably need to c-notch the frame above the axle, and also you need to address steering issues. you may create a lot of bump steer, and have to modify the steering linkage to correct the change in geometry.