i want to lower my 83 f150 a buddy of mine told me to move the leaf springs under the rear axle to lower it down a couple of inches then to just buy the lowering peices for the front i dont see any thing wrong with lowering down the rear of the truck this way so has any body tried this little trick of spring relocation if u have please tell how it has held and worked out for you

 

1234567890

 

i figure its worth a shot im going to try it and post pictures of what it looks like when im done

 

I've seen it done. Should work fine. Be sure to replace the U-bolts.

 

How low are you trying to go? When you move the axle location, you are going to have to weld on new spring perches. Ensure that you check the drive shaft and pinion angles when you weld on the new perch. You can buy new perches at any axle shop. They are cheap. You are also going to change the length of the shock absorber. If you shorten the required shock length, you will probably bottom out the shocks. You need to make shock mounts and measure the resting length to get the right length shocks. I do agree with the_hetz. We simply take the block from under the spring, put it on top of the spring, and bolt the whole thing back together. Drops the back the thickness of the spacer. Levels them up pretty nice.

 

You are talking a "flip kit", very cheap on the aftermarket, much cheaper than the shackle and hanger method.

If you really want it that low (it will drop it 5 inches in the back), go out and buy the DJM Dream Beams and the Flip Kit combo. This is the cheapest you will find, and the easiest to do. Summit is the best price I found on the setup.

Kenny

 

end up like this

 

im sorry, but i still cant get over lowering a full size truck...

 

i want this truck sitting low so this sounds like a good economical way to do it and thanks for the info kenny, i was looking at the flip kit from summit and it is only 49.95 and its a 5 inch drop in the rear and for the front i beams and for the front i am going to buy some lowering i beams and cut the springs and has any body body ever put an old fe motor in this kind of truck i would like to have a 390 in it better than this windsor i put in it

 

people have put FE motors in 80s trucks, but with a 351W and the 460, I don't think it is worth while because you'll need a FE tranny and have to customize the motor mounts and stuff like that.

not too mention if you have emissions in your state.