The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area General Truck Talk Mods. for dropped front axle

I see a lot of guys are shorting the pitman arm by cutting and welding there pitman arms. I personally don't like to cut and weld steering items. I drop axles and get this question a lot. Hope this helps. I will later this year be posting pictures on my web site.
Chevy Dropped axle:

There are two different ways to modify your steering arms to make tie rod clear your springs.

Way # 1 Flip the ball ends on the steering arms over from top to bottom
1.Grind off flared end of ball end, press out balls
You can buy new ball ends from Jim Carter Chevy Part
www.oldchevytrucks.biz/47_55/full.asp?page=108
2. Bolt in new ball ends from bottom so nuts are on top of steering arm.
3. You will also need to flip ball for drag link on steering arm
4. Take drag link and heat up all of ¾” rod part to red
5. Stick socket part in vice. Take a pipe wrench and put it on other socket end and twist ½ turn let drag link cool naturally and slow (do not quench with water)
6. Now you can bolt all back together

Second Way #2 To use modern tie rod ends

1. For tie rod: Grind off flared end of ball end, press out balls
2. Take a 7 degree taper reamer and ream out holes from bottom (so nuts on top)
I use the 37-64 Ford tie rod ends from Speedway. They will make you the whole tie rod with ends for around $50
3. Install new tie rods.

For drag link: New style tie rod ends
First series:
1. On left wheel steering arm for drag link Cut off just the ball only. Then drill out to 5/8" and then ream to 7 degree from bottom up.
2. On the pitman arm knock out ball weld up hole ( let naturally cool ) Drill new hole out to 5/8" hole ream to 7 degree so nut is on inside. Speedway Motors can make you new drag link using 37-64 Ford tie rod ends

On 55-59 Chevy second series
On left wheel steering arm for drag link you need to flip tie rod end from top to bottom. Do this by:
1. Take a tig welder and weld a small bead around top hole. While hot take hammer and hammer weld down flat. Let naturally cool
2. Now take 7 degree reamer and ream hole from bottom up so nut will be on top.
3. Modify drag link. Stick one end in vice. Heat up between tie rods to red. Take a pipe wrench and put it on other end and twist ½ turn let drag link cool naturally and slow (do not quench with water)

This will drop down drag Link and you will not have to cut and weld pitman arm.

I would sure like to see some pictures of the completed modifications.

guys,
SID is the master on dropped front axles. i have one of his 3 inch dropped fronts in my 57, and he is so helpful.
if you want old school drop, go with him. its a lot easier than doing an IFS swap, thats for sure.
leonard

I just bought one of his 4 inch dropped axles for my 50. My question to you is how does your steering feel now the truck is lowered? I put a dropped axle in a 57 Chevy pick up I owned(30 years ago) and it steered " like a truck"(no pun intended). Just curious if it steers as easy as it did before.
Baron

After I put my 3" dropped axle in my truck steered much easier.
I think it was due to rebuilding the entire front end, new king pins, new tie rod ends (flipped) and shortening the pitman arm 2". New radials didn't hurt either.

Same for me, truck steering is tight and very secure feeling, Same comments as above.

yep,
mine actually steers easier then it did before, and probably due tot he fact, as waldo said, because of all new parts.
i did lose a little bit ot turn radius, but not bad at all.

i love my 3 inch dropped axle from sid.

http://www.droppedaxles.com/

leonard

Thanks guys. Have everything ready to go. Just waiting for the axle to arrive.

baron, where did you get your axle from ?

leonard

yup-got my 3/4 ton axle for my 55 at Sid's right now-
3" drop..plus a couple of leaf springs(I think)

I've read a few mag articles about dropped axles on the second series and they used the stock pitmans..is playing with the pitman essential?

Keith

slickriffs,
on my 57 i did not have to modify my pitman arm, only shorten the drag link and drivers steering arm.

check my album for pics and info.

i got my 3 inch dropped front axle from sid also. he is a great guy.

leonard

Bought one of Sid's axles. Just arrived today. Looks great. Hope to do the install next week-end.
Baron

Hi Sid,,Upon completion of the install of one of your dropped axles,does it still have to be "tweaked" for the final camber,or caster(not sure which one it is) by a front end shop?
I know one adj. uses shims and the other is heating the axle.
Just cant remember the diff. between the 2 right now.
Thanx,
Marty
Im running a 4" from Mor-Drop axles in Oakland,Ca. right now in my panel truck,but looking to go with a 3" for my other truck.

[/quote]
Bought one of Sid's axles. Just arrived today. Looks great. Hope to do the install next week-end.
Baron [/quote]

baron, glad to hear you got your axle from sid. he is awesome and very helpful at all times.
any questions, feel free to ask here. it only took me a weekend to have mine installed.

leonard

Thanks RatRod- I'll check your pics out-I'll be adding the Toyota PS package which comes with a new draw link and pitman so I better take a wait and see approach.

Why did you do what you did? Was bump steer an issue?

I have a PDF somewhere of a tech article on this(installing a dropped axle and disc brakes)and it did not mention the need for alterations of the drag link or pitman. If I can figure out how to post the PDF I will.

Thanks Len,

Keith

Pulled it apart late this afternoon. Installed one of the new ball ends( right steering arm)before I called it a day. I'll do the left arm in the morning, then remove the spindles from the axle and get them ready for the new king pins/bushings,fitting etc. Think I am going to remove 2 or 3 leaves from the springs while its apart. If it winds up too low, I can always put one or two back in.

Hey Baron..you installing the Kingpins? I planned on sub'n that out..Keep us informed.

Appreciate the input

Keith

slickriffs,
i knew how much to take out of my drag link from centering the steering wheel, from left lock to right lock, then center the wheel, and with both front tires pointing forward, you will see how much longer your drag link is. it wont line up with the steering arm. i had to shorten mine 1.250.
here is a pic of it and the steering arm mods.
http://s251.photobucket.com/albums/...00/?action=view&current=DSC01379.jpg

baron, good luck man. you are gonna love the look when you get it done. i had sid install my king pins and spindles.

please, post some pics of your rides..

leonard

Sorry guys I have not been more involved in this post more. I don't get to look at this as much as I would like to. You guys have been keeping me really busy plus it's been so hot the last few weeks in the shop. If for some reason I don't answer your questions here please call me at 405-416-3080. I always love to help a hot rodder out or talk about old cars and trucks. I just don't drop axle for a living I live and breath old cars also. I'm hoping to post some pictures here and on my web site of the mods. when things slow down for me.

Hi Keith. I installed the new kingpin bushings today. I am using kingpins from NAPA(#262-1296). The bushings went in fairly easy. I installed them using loctite. I slide the kingpins in and everything fit perfect. No play,etc.
Replaced the two ball ends on the drivers side steering arm. I found it best ( easiest) to drill them out . Started with an 1/8" bit and finished with a 1/2". Once at that point,I was able to use my air chissle to drive them out. Heated and twisted the drag link( as described in Drapel's first post#4-#5). Easy enough to do. Removed all the ball socket assembles(drag link and tie rod), cleaned and lubed and re-installed all parts. Removed the two lower spring leafs from the frt springs, re-tapped the u-bolts and it is ready to go all back together. Will post link to pictures as soon as I download them at home.
Baron

hey baron, sounds like you are moving right along. very cool.

cant wait for the pics.

take care.

leonard

Kingpins are easy to install. (There is a good tech article on here to install them) The only thing you really have to watch is how loose they fit in the spindles. A lot of the kingpins were never greased and the bushings moved in the spindle holes. About half the spindles I find are shot. Wish someone would make some over size ID bushings. You could ream out the spindles and install them. SID

Here are the steering arms with the new ball ends bolted in from the bottom.
http://i82.photobucket.com/albums/j279/snkbte/Chevy%20Pickup/Chevytrucksteeringarmsmodified.jpg
Here is the axle installed in the truck.
http://i82.photobucket.com/albums/j279/snkbte/Chevy%20Pickup/droppedaxle1.jpg
Here is the truck outside the shop. I installed one of RB's rear lowering spring kit to drop the back 5 inches.
http://i82.photobucket.com/albums/j279/snkbte/Chevy%20Pickup/50Chevy1-8-08.jpg
This height is good for now. This will be my shop truck, so I really don't want it so low I can't drive it. Very happy with the install and the ride and handling so far( only drove it a mile or so due to no glass in the truck yet...:) ) Sid is a great guy to do business with. THANKS !
http://i82.photobucket.com/albums/j279/snkbte/Chevy%20Pickup/50ChevyAug1stbuickhdltrims.jpg

baron, you ogt yourself one cool looking truck man.
glad its coming together for you.

did you get a 3 inch or 4 inch droped front from sid ?

very cool man.

keep the pics coming with your progress.

leonard

I went with the 4 inch drop. I may take another leaf or two out later, but will try it like it is for now. Just ordered 4 new Rally wheels/with small caps(Vintique passenger car style) for it. The truck Rallys on it now don't have the off-set. The front hit on the tie rod ends and the rear are really too close to the fenders. Hopefully I can get the windshield installed in the next week or so, then I can start driving it.
Baron

yea, i thought it was a 4 inch dropped front. really low.

vintage ralleys are gonna look sweet.

its a never ending prject, aint it ?

talk to you later.

leonard

Here are some pictures of the arms modified with tie rod ends
http://i530.photobucket.com/albums/dd341/Droppedaxles/DSCN3265.jpg
http://i530.photobucket.com/albums/dd341/Droppedaxles/DSCN3277.jpg
http://i530.photobucket.com/albums/dd341/Droppedaxles/DSCN3257.jpg

Thanks for the pictures.