The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area General Truck Talk lowering 1955 truck

hello. 1955 chevy with front straight axle, how would you lower it ? blocks and longer U bolts ?
what about the steering, would that affect it ?
looking for a cheap way instead of going to IFS until i get the money...thanks

imo dont use blocks in the front. to much twisting and flexing.i think it would be a bad idea.i would use a drop axle or dearched springs. done by a spring shop or bought from somewhere.or the worse and cheaper way removing leaf or 2 from the pack

Doesn't a '55 truck have a spring over axle arrangement? If so, this would preclude any lowering blocks.


Stuart

how about dropped spindels ? do they make them ? thanks again

my response because i am cheap is, wait til you can do it right. imo, ifs is the only way. but there are lots of ways to accomlpish what you want. order related catalogs and see what is available. ron

Just about all of the aftermarket suppliers now have dropped axles and/or modified springs. Truck Shop & Brothers come to mind. Axles are about $400+ and the springs are about $300+. I'm not aware of any dropped spindles for these trucks.
Also, I seem to remember that you have to relocate the tie rod above the spring when you change to lowered springs or axle. This may change the steering geometry somewhat.
Fred

Sid Drapal (Drapal here on the Bolt) sells dropped axles for that pickup. His website is www.droppedaxles.com and he has a price listed of $300 for that pickup plus a core. That is how I plan on doing my 49 shortly.

Jeff

check this thread:

http://www.killbillet.com/showthread.php?t=2098&page=3

i lowered my 54 with a 4" axle from sid and 4 leafs removed from each spring. as far as steering i had to shorten my pitman arm 4" and flip the tie rods upside down to go under the springs.

coolerthanathan, i sent you an e-mail...

Most states it is illegal to use blocks on the front axle as it allows twisting of the axle under hard braking and subsequent steering changes that can get you in deep kimchee!

Best method is to find a dropped axle that fits your truck. uses all the stock parts except the steering arms wich need to be extended to keep from hitting the frame, they can be bought at most places that sell the dropped axles.
Pretty simple swap to do, and loads cheaper than IFS.

where at? i haven't gotten anything, my email is [email protected]

ok, cool. i will send it there. i clicked on the little e-mail link here on your post.

i see you are in miami, and i am here in hollywood.
just wondering if you know anybody selling an older, 1940-1957 pickup ?
also, i checked out your pics on the website. your truck looks awesome.
do you guys belong to a club ? if so, do you have a place where you meet weekly ?
if so, i would love to come down and check out the cool rides.
thanks again, and hopefully you know someone selling a rat rod. i need one bad. LOL... leonard