suspension ideas?

[smilts60]

Im trying to decide just what I want to do. I have a 84 chevy truck, that I can grab the front suspension out of for my 60 lwb stepper. Then I could do a static drop. Im not sure just how low I can go with a static though? Or I can save up for and do bags. the only thing with bags is, I have no interest in them being adjustable. So if I can get the same drop out of a static drop then theres no point in the extra money for bags. Sorry for the randomness. Im looking for I think a 6/4 drop. Any advice would be great.

[jimmydean]

You can't get as low with springs as bags and have a good ride. You can get pretty low with a static drop, but the lower you get, the harsher the ride.

Swap the front from the 84, get drop spindles and 2" springs for the front, then rear springs, shock hangers, and a new track bar would be cheap and easy to do for a 4/6.

[1Bad62Pro/Street]

Hmmmmm.
Well I can tell you what I done on my '62.
http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=321173
I hate the torsion bar big heavy front ends of the 60-62 frames.
I am a big fan of Mustang II IFS.
Most guys do this on thier Hot Rods, Street Rods, Cars and Trucks.
The most common 3 are -Mustang II IFS - Camaro - Nova Stub Frames.
But alot of guys are doing the bolt on later model stuff now on the '60's truck.
If you go with this route you have to make sure the geometry is right.
Now if you wanna research on Mustang II IFS you will be pleased to what you do find. Mustang II IFS Systems are a natural conversion for your chassis, giving you a soft, smooth ride. Now my truck had alot of bump steer in it that I had to take care of as you see in a couple of my videos. I also have 2" Drop Spindles on her too..

https://byfiles.storage.live.com/y1p...Q/IMAG0623.jpg

Think I measured 2 1/2 or 3" off the ground in the shop.
Well I could barely fit a cigarette lighter under it
So the ride isn't too smooth especially with the bed off. But when she's on I have to adjust the front and rear coilovers.
Anyhoot.....
I could not afford a kit from Heidts or Fat Mans Etc...
www.heidts.com/
www.fatmanfab.com/
www.progressiveautomotive.com
So me and pops ran up on a 1976 Mustang II IFS (Manual Rack Steering) at a car show years ago. The years are from 1974–1978. If you go to a junk yard 99% of the time you will find that the front end is missing.... now you know why. They are very very popular!
Check out my build thread for how we fabricated the IFS if you wanna go this route!

Helix Mustang II IFS install - YouTube

[markeb01]

I can’t help with the lowering questions, but if you decide to install the 1984 front suspension these threads may help. The first deals with the suspension, and the second with the engine and transmission mounts:

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=366828

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=369663

[smilts60]

@jimmydean, other than the 2 inch springs. What size drop spindles rear springs shock hangers would I need? I'm pretty good on engines lost on bodywork and suspension stuff.

The mustang II ifs, sounds interesting but would literaly be impossible for me to get ahold of even sorta localy.

Thnx markeb01. I have actualy printed both of those off. Just in case..
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[smilts60]

So after researching more I may have misunderstood a 4/6 drop. the folks over in photoshop managed to do a great job and let me see my truck dropped at a couple of different levels.
this is how it sits now.

This is how I would like to have it sit or very close

[Slow Build]

Originally Posted by smilts60

This is how I would like to have it sit or very close

Way too low for static drop. Better save up for bags.

[smilts60]

Sorry I know Im knew to all of this. So my questions may not be the right ones. What all would I need for bags? Or are there kits that are all inclusive I could buy? Also, is it possible to bag it with out all the fuss of tanks and stuff if I just want it set at one place, with no plans of moving it up and down? I'm not against bags especialy if you lose that much ride quality with a static drop.

[Scot_Douglas]

While not slammed, this is about a 5" static drop using drop spindles and sectioning 2" out of the front crossmember. I had to redesign my steering linkage and move my engine back 1.5". Not for the faint of heart, but if I had to do it all over, I'm not sure I would change a thing. Anyhow - this nets about 5 inches of drop without compromising front spring rate and suspension travel.

[smilts60]

You got that one pretty low. looks good.. What drop spindles did you use and springs? Also what did you do to the back?

[Scot_Douglas]

I went with the 2.5" drop spindles from CPP (1973-87, 2-1/2" drop) and new stock height replacement springs. Doesn't look like I'll bottom out - and I still have the full travel and stock spring rate up front - should ride decent. For the rear...welllll......it's a bit different.



I cut the back third of the frame away and stuck in a 8.8" IRS rear from a Ford Supercoupe. Another can of worms in itself, I used it because a bed change drove me shorten the wheelbase 5". Pricing out the materials to properly build a custom 4-link rear with coilovers, I saw it would be cheaper and a bit more interesting to add the Ford IRS - plus it came with disc brakes.

<edit>
I used springs from the front of a jeep cherokee, and it so far has worked out that I had to add 1" spacers to the springs to get my stance the way I think it should be.
Also - those are 28.6 (29)" tall tires on 18" wheels, so it's kind of an optical illusion of how much wheel "stuff" I have.

I often have reasons for what I do, but they usually aren't good ones.

[smilts60]

Sorry older thread. If I Z the fame and use the front out of the 84 would that work to get it as low as I want? Also would I need to notch the back? Would I need the drop spindles with that setup or would it have to be bagged?

After riding in my 69 ford and working cattle in old trucks my entire life. I can live with a not so wonderful ride. It will be just for around town anyway.