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Apr 26th, 2026 | | AD Chevy Trucks  Over 6,000 pictures Brad Allen has an awesome collection of Chevrolet factory pictures that he has set up from film strips. Check them out!
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| | | | Joined: Jul 2011 Posts: 257 Shop Shark | | Shop Shark Joined: Jul 2011 Posts: 257 | Hi all. I recently purchased a '59 Apache that was lowered in a VERY unprofessional manner ( my opinion) http://i1236.photobucket.com/albums/ff441/AZ59apacheguy/IMG_0664.jpgThe front was lowered by removing half the leaf springs and flipping the axle so the leafs springs mount below the axle. The rear was lowered by also removing half the springs, flipping the shackles and mounting the the leaf springs below the rear axle ( pictures of this to come later ). Whats worse is the fact that the rear axle is resting on the frame itself, the leaf springs and shocks are not really even doing anything. I have sourced both front and rear leaf spring assemblies and have already started my resurrection. Here are some pics of me removing the front axle assy and what it looks like afterwards. So far I am very happy with the progress http://i1236.photobucket.com/albums/ff441/AZ59apacheguy/IMG_0654.jpgafter installation: http://i1236.photobucket.com/albums/ff441/AZ59apacheguy/IMG_0656.jpgGoing to start on the rear this weekend | | | | | Joined: May 2001 Posts: 7,438 Extreme Gabster | | Extreme Gabster Joined: May 2001 Posts: 7,438 | I think you'll be much happier with it. | | | | | Joined: Sep 2010 Posts: 575 Shop Shark | | Shop Shark Joined: Sep 2010 Posts: 575 |
You should of done the rear first and had that photo op! Take it for a spin!
Last edited by cletis; 08/05/2011 10:36 PM. Reason: removed off topic content
| | | | | Joined: Jul 2011 Posts: 257 Shop Shark | | Shop Shark Joined: Jul 2011 Posts: 257 | Looks pretty warm there!
You should of done the rear first and had that photo op! Take it for a spin! Only if I do it Flintstone Style, no engine or Trans yet.
Last edited by cletis; 08/05/2011 10:37 PM. Reason: removed off topic content
| | | | | Joined: Feb 2001 Posts: 4,095 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Feb 2001 Posts: 4,095 | The POs built a POS. but it looks like you have it well in hand. good luck and be safe. ron
Ron, The Computer Greek I love therefore I am.1954 3100 Chevy truckIn the Gallery 2017 Buick Encore See more pix1960 MGA Roadster Sold 7/18/2017
| | | | | Joined: May 2005 Posts: 334 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: May 2005 Posts: 334 | It looks good going back to the original height!  Samantha | | | | | Joined: Jan 2008 Posts: 4,962 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Jan 2008 Posts: 4,962 | It looks better already. Even if the job isn't but half done. | | | | | Joined: May 2011 Posts: 49 Wrench Fetcher | | Wrench Fetcher Joined: May 2011 Posts: 49 | I'm like you. My '54 wasn't lowered but a lot of guys were saying why don't you lower it. I want to drive a truck. A fullsize truck since mine is a almost daily driver. I'm glad I stuck with my idea. Here's a link to my truck. http://s1114.photobucket.com/albums/k540/sweetwilly2/The%20Truck/Good luck! | | | | | Joined: Feb 2001 Posts: 4,095 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Feb 2001 Posts: 4,095 | My truck is lowered and the fabricator went a little to far. i agree with sweet willy that it can be too much. i have to be careful with transitions from driveways to street and some streets to another. i want to raise it back up but with a Pacer IFS it is difficult to find a after market adjsutable coil over as a direct fit.
Ron, The Computer Greek I love therefore I am.1954 3100 Chevy truckIn the Gallery 2017 Buick Encore See more pix1960 MGA Roadster Sold 7/18/2017
| | | | | Joined: Jul 2011 Posts: 257 Shop Shark | | Shop Shark Joined: Jul 2011 Posts: 257 | Thanks for all the replies. Man your truck is Sweeeet, glad you kept it raised. | | | | | Joined: Jul 2011 Posts: 257 Shop Shark | | Shop Shark Joined: Jul 2011 Posts: 257 | I'm done, but boy was that a pain in the butt. One of the hardest parts was getting the Clevis Pins installed, the back shackles were much easier. http://i1236.photobucket.com/albums/ff441/AZ59apacheguy/IMG_0672.jpghttp://i1236.photobucket.com/albums/ff441/AZ59apacheguy/IMG_0673.jpgBut the hardest part was just about to happen. I get the wheels mounted again, remove the jack stands and lower the truck so I can push it out to clean the garage. So I go to push the truck out of the garage and after a foot it stops. I thought there was something caught under one of the wheels, so I go and check and the wasn't; now I'm thinking what the heck!!! So I jack the truck back up and I was able to narrow it down to the rear passenger wheel. So after an hour of spraying the lugs/drum, and pounding with a hammer I was finally able to get the drum off. I found a broken pad retaining spring getting bound up with the drum. Removed the broken spring and replaced it with a spare I had from another break assembly. Installed the wheel, dropped her down and she rolls like a dream now. Learned a lot in the last few days, but I think the best lesson of them all is, IF YOUR GOING TO LOWER YOUR TRUCK, THE LEAST YOU CAN DO IS DO IT RIGHT  Back to stock height http://i1236.photobucket.com/albums/ff441/AZ59apacheguy/IMG_0674.jpg
Last edited by AZ59apacheguy; 08/07/2011 5:38 PM.
| | | | | Joined: May 2001 Posts: 7,438 Extreme Gabster | | Extreme Gabster Joined: May 2001 Posts: 7,438 | It looks good except for those ugly amber lenses. (Don't take offense. It's a personal pet peeve. ) I'd like to buy you a beer. You jumped in the middle of a bad situation and straightened it out. I have a feeling that is going to be a very nice truck when it's done. | | | | | Joined: Jul 2011 Posts: 257 Shop Shark | | Shop Shark Joined: Jul 2011 Posts: 257 | It looks good except for those ugly amber lenses. (Don't take offense. It's a personal pet peeve. ) I'd like to buy you a beer. You jumped in the middle of a bad situation and straightened it out. I have a feeling that is going to be a very nice truck when it's done. Thanks for the comment, I really appreciate it, and I'll never turn down a beer. Since this is my first Vintage American vehicle, I have no idea what is stock and what not correct on this truck. I will have to rely on everyones expertise here on Stovebolt.com. | | |
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