The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area The HiPo Shop Lowering, 54 Chevy 3100

Hi,
Need to lower my 54 Chevy 3100 about 1.5 inches in the front and maybe 1 inch in the rear. I know the rear I can remove a couple leafs. What can I do up front? Still running the 16 inch wheels with Coker's 6.00 x 16. It will not fit in my trailer.

awk

Can you not remove leafs on the front as well?

Or you could just drive it

I want to lower mine too and was told you could remove some fronts.

So you think I can remove a couple leafs from the front too. Like to know how much will that lower it? It would be nice to here from someone that has done this. I'll look at more tonight.
Thanks,
awk

I put new springs under my front end that were made to lower a truck. I lowered the front 2" and used a lowering block in the rear. Scares me to remove leafs.the springs were fronm Detriot springs

How many leafs do you have in the front now, I believe they originally have 7? I've removed the two short lower leafs and it will lower at least 1 1/2". While your at it, you can add the plastic spring liners, I understand this will soften the spring ride, and the springs will give a little more? Remember to put the removed leafs on top so you won't have to replace the U-bolts.

Good point about the u bolts, never thought of that.

I removed my 2 shortest front leafs and got a result similar to yakimabowtie at about 1 1/2" and found the ride a bit smoother. IIRC I used some drill bushings (like thick washers) with the stock U bolts and was a bit surprised that the steering wheel position was different by 90 degrees after removing them.

Nice truck Curt.
So it turned your steering wheel half a turn? Did you use the plastic spring liners too?
Wonder what taking three out would do?
Thanks for your input.
John

Thanks. IIRC removing 3 meant needing to source alternate U bolts but I could be wrong. I didn't disassemble and add plastic as mine have some wear and will be replaced rather than reconditioned giving me an excuse to try and wear them further. The steering wheel moved 90 degrees AKA 1/4 turn requiring repositioning but at that time I had recently had it off and was no big deal to square it up.

Oops, 90 degrees = 1/4 turn.
does it effect the steering? That kinda worries me. I was thinking of taking three out. Well I can always put it back, I had a guy tell me to use a zippy blade and cut them off.
Ill put them to the top so the u bolt will work.

unbolt the center bolt and take leaves from the bottom and put them on the top of the spring and put the center bolt back in, I took four leave from the bottom of mine and put them on the top and lowered my truck 2 1/2 in. and could still use the u bolts... easy to do