Stovebolt.com Forums The Shop Area Driveline Lowering '51 Chevy

Hello fellow bolters,

I haven't been very active for a while because I was busy some other projects. But they are (almost) done and it is spring, it's time to pickup the tools and start to get our pickup ready for the road.

Now on to the question: My father and I do love the look of our Chevy, but don't like the current height. We understand that it's the original height and we want to keep it as original as possible, but a bit lower would look really nice. I don't have experience with lowering vehicles so I want to know if there is some way to lower the Chevy without cutting, making drastic changes to the vehicle or installing coil springs. It doesn't need to be lowered to the ground, but a change of 1 or 2 inches would be good.

Kind Regards,
Thijs van Dongen

P.s. added a picture where you can see the current height.

Nostalgia Sid’s out of Guthrie, Oklahoma sells drop axles for the front. Many on here have used them. As for the rear, lowering blocks or removing a few leafs from the springs.

Note: Shipping to the Netherlands might be prohibitive.

Hello Dongen
Perhaps increasing the wheel diameter with a larger tire would get you the look you want without further modifications?
I love your truck just the way it is, but beauty is in your eyes.
Some people unbolt their spring packs and remove a few leaves from the bottom up
I’ve never done that so let’s see what others say.
-s

I'm tempted to suggest that you put about a foot of gravel into the bed. It would not only accomplish the desired lowering, but the ride will be a lot smoother as well. Removing one or two leaves on each spring is the simplest, least expensive way, but only if you don't intend to carry heavy loads in the bed.
Jerry

Having the axle reconfigured is one way, SId's is the place to go for this. They also make lowering spring packs, the arch is reduced while keeping a full number of springs in the pack. There are also drop spindles, these would replace your stock spindles without the need to replace springs or pull the front axle. In the rear, lowering blocks are probably the easiest and most affordable option. Removing springs from the spring packs has been done forever, but I have seen many warnings about this changing the structural integrity of the spring pack leading to failure of the springs.

And then there’s the old saying:

If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.

And then theres another saying:

If it aint broke, ill break it....

Or how about:

If it ain't broke, keep fixing it till it is.

Front

https://www.speedwaymotors.com/Posies-Super-Slide-Springs-D441-47-54-Chevy-GM-Pickup-Front-Springs,21674.html


Rear lowering blocks:


https://www.performanceonline.com/1...S1Jl1LxeGGBwogiE7Bu7obM65NxoCmrwQAvD_BwE

I spent some time in your neighboring country Deutschland. I recall the country is very strict about modifications without proof that it was authorized by the manufacturer. The Netherlands less strict?

Leaf springs and a straight axles are extremely heavy. Shipping to the Netherlands would be equivalent to buying a luxury Mercedes (many Euros). If you have friends who are familiar with vehicles built for rough terrain (Jeep, Land Rover etc.), ask them about shops that do straight axle and leaf spring repair. Also you may want to contact this company in your country http://www.parabolicsuspension.com.