I've been reading into lowering my '58 LWB and it seems cheap and easy enough. I've modified suspensions and chassis on a bunch of vehicles in the past, but I don't have any experience with these specifically. I think if I do it I'll reverse my rear mounts and replace the springs (one is real saggy and the other pack has a broken leaf) and use these replacements from John's F100 (https://secure25.securewebsession.co...shop/index.htm).

What are the cons of going down about 4" all around? If I keep manual steering is there anything that needs to be modified? How badly will payload suffer? This is what I'm most concerned about since I actually use my truck as a truck. I won't be carrying 5,000 pounds of concrete, but I will probably have 700-1000 pounds of motorcycles back there from time to time...will I be bottoming out with every pebble I hit? What if I get some heavy duty springs (do they exist?) and use those with my reversed mounts?

Anything else to look out for?

Thanks in advance!

 

I should also add that I'm willing to notch the frame in the rear, but obviously I'd prefer not to.

 

Many questions you have. Unfortunately I cannot help you too much.

I can tell you that I did the axle flip kit on my '92 F-150 in the past and every time I went over a bump the rubber stops on the frame hit the axle and bounced the back of the truck up. (bottomed out)

I would expect similar results with a '58.

 

I appreciate the input. I'm gonna put out a few feelers about the steering, but looking at it it seems like it will be ok. As for the rear, I think I'm just gonna go for it and if it's an issue I'll put it back to stock or notch the frame.

 

Hi, If you don't notch the frame, you will never be able to carry more than a box of feathers and you will still bottom out. Also, you won't be able to get the front end low enough, even with a dropped axle. The a&s end will be a lot lower than the front, looks kinda funny. Of course you could go for an independent front suspension! How much money do want to spend??

 

As little as possible, always!

My plan was to reverse the rear spring mount (getting 4-5") and then using the monoleaf reversed eyelet front springs from John's F100 for about $475

 

For ~$500 you can get the Crown Victoria Independent Front Suspension and you will be much happier with that than you ever will with lowering shackles or lowering axles or what ever other lowering modifications you will spend money on.

There are plenty of threads on here about putting this CV IFS in our model trucks and it is pretty straight forward. I did this swap and I am very happy with it.

 

i dropped my '59 3", and the front hits the rubber stops when i hit a pretty good bump. i too plan on putting the bike in the back; haven't yet, but don't know if i'd drop it any more than 3". all things considered, i would probably look at the cv ifs if i had to do it over.....

 

That's disappointing, but good information, thank you. What do you run for shocks/springs?

 

Yeah, I'm weighing it. To be honest I'm less concerned about the front bottoming out than the rear. It also looks like my truck will be down for a long time if I do the CV IFS swap versus a few hours to swap spring packs.

 

Makes me wonder what I'll run into. I went with revers eye main leafs front and rear for around a 2" drop. I plan on using load leveler shocks in the rear from Monroe so I can still carry heavy stuff like my girlfr/ I mean lumber, etc.

 

Let me know how you do, I'm curious to know