The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area General Truck Talk Truck Ride height/Rake

Hey Guys, I'm in the process of a ground up restoration on a '49 chevy truck, and I'm a little concerned about the ride height. I'm doing a restification, so it's pretty much stock looking, but minor mods. I do not have plans to lower it at this time.
I'm doing the truck piece by piece, so the chassis is done, motor is in place, and box(without fenders) is back on.
When I got the box on, it seems really high in the air. There is a 2" difference from the front of the running board to the back. What kind of rake do you8 guys have on a stock(ish) truck?

Mine appeared that way also. Once your fenders lights bumper and bed wood is in it will weight it down and you should be about 1 inch different. Fenders make a considerable amount of difference in look once on since they drop so far down. The rear shackles are about 3/4 of an inch difference in length. I used front shackles in the rear to level it out for the most part. Get it all together before making any decisions on changes. You may be happy with it as is.

Thanks Yellow52. I have the bed wood in there, and one of the fenders on, and the bumper, but still, there's a 2" diff between front and rear of the running board. Also, The fender seems to be riding about 6" above the wheel. Granted, I don't have a cab on yet, but that should impact front and back equally, and front sheet metal might even make it look worse. I'll wait until I get the truck all together, but just seeing what I am up against.

all of these trucks are noticeably higher in the tail from the factory, they were made to carry a load, put a thousand pounds in the bed and see what happens .... if you plan on never carrying a load, wait until it's all back together before you consider if the looks are a problem

Bill

Yeah, it's just funny. You don't see many of these that aren't lowered these days, so I think I was just freaking myself out.
agree to wait until all the sheet metal is hung, and I don't mind if she's a little higher in the rear.

Larry,i'm not sure if this helps but here's a good side profile shot of my '50
One thing to bear in mind,there's NO engine and trans in it,apart from that it was exactly as Chevrolet intended.
I imagine with the engine and transmission installed it would drop the nose a touch.

Larry, I suppose your keeping the stock rearend. Keep in mind that over the years some trucks were worked harder than others and sometimes loads may have sit on the springs for a long time and the springs got weak which lowered some in the back more than others.
For what its worth, I've never been a big fan of "road sniffers".

I'm running stock front and rear springs on my panel and when I put 15" 6 lug wheels on it there was a nice difference than with the tall 16" wheels....

...I think some folks may remove a spring or two, or "every other one" to get a softer lower ride but I'm not sure.

I think the guys have gave good advice. Wait and see!!

I was doing much the same working on my '46 GMC this weekend, concerned about ride height before all the weight is on the suspension. Wait until you get the body on the truck, then you can worry about the ride height.

Also check to see if you have some additional springs or over loads added. or even longer shackles.

mine for what it is worth. . lowered and i like a level ride. the fabricator had a forward rake and i had it changed.