53 chevy suspension advice

[dirtybirdindian]

The bottom of the front fender opening at the center is about 28 1/2" with 15" wheels & 205/70 tire. I think I want to go 3" lower.

Is it a better idea to go with a 3" drop axle and have some more flexability with lowering leafs later or should I just put some 3" lower leafs and keep the axle stock?

[mr48chev]

I'd go with the dropped axle. Unless one of the mono leaf springs gets a guy 3 inches I am not sure there are new springs that give a guy a total 3 inch drop out there but that isn't something that I have made a study of.

http://www.droppedaxles.com/ aka Sids is the go to place to have your parallel leaf axle dropped correctly. A guy can either send his core in or pay their core charge.

Removing leaves to drop the truck isn't a very good idea even though it gets the truck down as the leaves keep on sagging until the axle bottoms out on the frame after a period of them and my own truck is a prime example of that.

[dirtybirdindian]

So new leaf springs that say they give you 3" probably won't actually give you that much.

Replacing leafs to get 3" inches just seemed alot easier and cheaper than buying a 3" dropped axle and the related steering arms, drag link, ect.....

[mknittle]

Springs are always iffy on drop or lift. there are too many things that change the height. Engine /transmission weight and placment aditonal frame boxing and added crossmembers etc. also drop springs can cause clearance problems.
I feel if you are going straight axle the dropped is the way to go.

[stexag]

Does installing a dropped axle result in bump steer? Sid has modified steering parts, I'm sure they are required for clearance.... but what about quality of drive? What mods exaggerate bump steer?