The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area General Truck Talk dropping a solid front axle

Can anyone give me some advice on how to lower the front end of our 58 with a solid front axle? I am swapping the frame out from under the 58 GMC and going back to an original setup, but want it to sit lower. Also, can you gice some advice on how the ride quality is with a lowered solid axle?

This is the least expensive, easiest to install kit that I have found.

Otherwise, you can get dropped axles and/or monoleaf springs .

Ha ha Norse...

I was thinking maybe a 4 link and bags if you don't want to go with that monoleaf route?

- Ryan

Here\'s a write-up.

I don't really buy into removing leaves from the spring packs. And a new "dropped" axle might be a safer gamble than a stretched original.

[img]http://norcalspeedshop.com/_offsite_smilies/symbolic_twocents.gif[/img]

Norse,

I know your post has been up here for a good while. But I just joined the Stove Bolt, and have been looking for a drop axle for my 58 Apache all over. THANK YOU!!

So, anybody who's done this care to comment on the pros / cons of a dropped axle vs. lowered springs? Not sure yet which way to go on mine...

Thanks,
mark.
51 3100

I don't know about dropped axles, but I have Patrick's monoleaf springs on the front end of my truck. They look great (dropped the front end about four inches) and they're better than standard front springs. They even eliminate the need for a sway bar.

Here you go.......

http://www.classicperform.com/

Hi baldeagle,

How does the ride compare to a modern front end with the monoleaf. That is could you use the truck as an everyday driver with the set up.

Cheers
Jason.

Absolutely use it as a daily driver. Keep in mind, I *also* added modern, gas shocks front and back.

The rear springs are the originals - just new bushings. The front has shocks mounted to 38 Dodge top mounts and fabricated lower mounts. The rear has shocks mounted to 76 Corvette mounts. The truck rides very comfortably, but I don't know that I'd compare it to a modern front end. It still has the solid axle and king pins and the original steering.

Not speaking from monoleaf experience, just what I've heard from others but.........
monoleafs shorten the amount of travel that you have in the front end of your truck. Hitting a good bump/pothole or RR track can cause the front end to bottom out. Maybe Baldeagle's gas shocks help him avoid this but.....If the shocks are doing the job of the springs, that is absorbing the impact, that's probably not the best solution. IMHO - a dropped axle allows you to keep the travel that the GM engineers designed the truck to have thus avoiding the above problems. The shocks (gas is good) are allowed to do just what they we're designed to do, that is, dampen the movement of the springs that have absorbed the impact of the bump.
I'd talk with some people that actually have both set-ups before I made my decision. Enjoy the build.