The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area General Truck Talk To lower or not to lower?

Well I am working on a 1952 1/2 ton five window with my 14 year old son. I like trucks "mostly" restored and of course he likes trucks "slightly" rodded. We are going with original Windsor blue paint on the outside and a 235 for the motor and 3:55 gears in the rear. We are keeping the the suspension original (leaf springs) except the dilema: The leaf springs are shot. We are debating of going with original height springs or with 3" lowered springs from Posies Springs. What are the pros and cons of either original or the lowered springs. What is the ride quality difference? Has anybody used Posies springs before? Any other options? This truck needs to be a daily driver when done. Thanks for your help! ZB3

ZB3 -

Patricks offers a 2" lowering spring set. I haven't put these on my truck but I have taken a ride in one that did and the ride was really smooth.

Aaron

mine is lowered,, smooth ride till you hit a bump, ride is ok on good smooth roades,, ride is stiff with the org front axle,,,,,,,,stance looks good but I would probably stay stock,,,,,,Fred

i lowered mine and i like the look, go to my community webshots to see the effect, may help. i used lowering springs from fatfendered street rods did not improve the ride. the front is a pacer IFS. RON

wow that looks awesome man. after looking at that i would say lower it unless it was gona be a daily driver or anything like that.

all we have are daily drivers-----the back of my front fender is 9 inches from the ground,,

I took 3 leaves out of the spring pack on the back and 4 on the front of my truck. I then relocated the upper shock mounts on the front. I also added a 1" lowering block on the back. It sat a little low on the passenger side so I removed one more leaf on pass. side front. It sits pretty nice. I had to cut off the bump stops but it still bottoms out on a big bump. So I'm gonna take off the entire bumpstop mount. That should give me another inch. It rides great for a straight axle. I also had to staighten out the drag link alittle for the lower angle. I'm pretty happy with the result as it didn't cost very much.

I meant to say it sat a little HIGH on the pass. side. Sorry

I'd drop it a bit, but not too much, and give it a little rake too.

Say Bullnose, did you think about maybe removing a bit of weight from the drivers seat first?

Take it down, take it way down...

Hey, Thanks for the responses. The Posies springs say they will drop the truck 3" in the front and 2-3" in the back. Our roads in central and eastern Oregon are a mixed bag with some rougher dirt and gravel roads to the killer fishing spots. But life is full of compromises! Everybody have a terrific day, ZB3

Hey, Thanks for the responses. The Posies springs say they will drop the truck 3" in the front and 2-3" in the back. Our roads in central and eastern Oregon are a mixed bag with some rougher dirt and gravel roads to the killer fishing spots. But life is full of compromises! Everybody have a terrific day, ZB3

oh,your truck will love those gravel roads,,

I'm not a fan of the "nose high" stance, so I plan to drop front only. Just not sure whether I'll do it with springs or a dropped axle.

Cheers,
mark.

Slam it!

Gotta be a contrarian here. Why have a truck if you don't want it to look or function like a truck? Just one man's opinion.

how about air bags or air shocks???? Then you can have it both ways.

^ is that your burb toomany2count? Looks sweet.

looks more like 3/4 ton windowed panel

I never personally cared for the "my wheels are drowning in my wheelwells" look, and i've on at least one occasion had a hearty laugh when I saw a lowered truck get stuck on railroad tracks.

I've seen Kirby vaccume cleaners sit higher than some of these lowered trucks.. and I just don't get it.

But there are alot of things I don't understand, and it all boils down to personal preference.

It's your truck, and you should do whatever YOU like.. you're the one who has to drive and use it.

Both my trucks were built close to 60 years ago and used like trucks. The fact that they're still around is a testement to the fact they were built right the first time.. I don't see any sence in fixing whats not broke.

Nobody has really said what lowered springs ride like (with out lowering blocks) except the Patricks. I am mainly looking for an "economical aproach" for a better ride. I have a 1989 chevy 3/4 ton 4X4 for the heavy hauling truck stuff. The '52 is for working a father/son project before he grows up and is gone. (The truck stays of course!!!!) I am not a real fan of trucks that are slammed to the ground but I like the looks of moderately lowered, but if the ride goes to crap then stock height is fine. I have never ridden in an AD truck before. My vintage truck experiences are a '36 Chevy I had in high school and 40's and 50's Internationals which all were great truck but RODE like trucks. Thanks for all of the responses, ZB3

So I hear that you lose suspension travel with lower springs but what about a dropped axle...wouldn't you keep the same travel as stock suspension with that??

Ok, here's my 2 cents. My '49 has a 3" dropped I beam from Mor- Drop in Oakland CA that I put in about 25 yrs ago. Stock springs, with teflon liners makes for a fairly smooth ride. That gives me some drop - not too radical - with full stock suspension travel. The rear is a 12 bolt with about a 2" block under it. No need to c-notch the frame. If you want, I can put a tape on it tomorrow and give you some dimensions. If I had lots of $$$, I'd do an R.B's chassis, Jim Meyer Chevelle front end and Fat Man 4 link in the rear. But that's just my idea of a "perfect" chassis.