The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Driveline AD front end lift?

I have a '53 3800 that is getting closer to the road. I'd like to raise the front end about 2", just so it sits more level and has a little more clearance at the tires. I had planned to put a 2" block between the springs and axle until I read that blocks should never be used on a front axle because of the added leverage during cornering and braking. Is a block ok on a truck with 4 wheel drums that can only go 45 mph? Whats my alternative? I suppose I could have the springs re-arched? Even an inch would help if 2" is too much.

Repeat this out loud as many times as it takes for the information to sink in.

Contact Detroit Spring for a new set of springs for your truck.

Steve

Pa Farmer, I was in your situation with my 3600. Last year I installed a helper spring in my front spring packs for less than $40.00. That with a couple more things made my truck MUCH better.

Link to writeup here.


Added in edit: just checked my old post and the helper spring I used is not available on Ebay as linked. However

Amazon has it here.

The helper spring, “Pro Comp add a leaf 13170” is 1.75” wide which works for my 3600. Your 3800 may be wider, if so and you want to go with this mod, wider helpers are readily available.

Good Luck, RonR

Ron -- So the helper pack just, basically, returns the front end to the spec geometry?

Nonetheless, I think Wheelie has the right answer -- fix the problem, don't just apply bandaids to it.

Gov't Acquisition Law:

What you need isn't what you want.
What you want isn't what you can afford.
What you can afford isn't whats available.
What's available isn't what you need.

So why did I have to spend 6 weeks in DAWIA when they could just summarize it in 4 sentences?

That's Eaton-Detroit Springs

St. Louis Spring St. Louis Spring is another good source - springs made to original specs. I've bought from both and happy with both. I have no affiliation with either.
Samantha

My only issue with Eaton was that I ordered 2-inch lowered springs and they did not tell me they were already 2-inch lowered. So on the back country roads in VA. I leveled the cent heap of gravel. I had to buy a new set. If you look at the gallery picture in Stovebolt it was taken on that trip. BTW it is an AMC Pacer front suspension.

Can you explain what happened again? What did they not tell you?

That's how I read it. He ordered 2" lowered springs and sent him 2" lowered springs. Unless they lowered the 2" springs 2 more inches.

I ordered 2 inches lower than stock but for some reason, they were 4 inches lowered. This is my 54 with a 79 AMC pacer front suspension. Mark's last comment is correct. If you look at the picture that is in the gallery it shows, then look at the other pictures after I corrected the issues. The bumper overriders are almost touching the grass. I have a cousin who lives in Harrisonburg Va. and he lives off of 80 on a country road I smoothed out the gravel center of the road when I visited.

Were they 4" lowered from stock for the pacer? That is a very common mistake people make with Mustang II parts. The "stock" height parts are 2" lower than the stock height on the trucks.

Maybe all I know is I had to buy a new set. I sit and wonder where all the take-offs are, I did not know way back then they were worth anything. JDL got some.