lowering my 68 shortbed
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lowering my 68 shortbed
I am trying to decide which way to go. I want to lower my truck and I'm leaning toward dream beams. how easy are they to install? If I flip the rear springs will the back be lower than the front? Dream beams say they drop it by 3" and I've cut the front springs which lowered it 1 ". I'd hate to have a truck that looks like it's draggin its butt.
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Dream beams are an easy install. Disassembling the old I beams to get the spindles off is about the hardest part depending on how stubborn the pins are.
What do you mean "flip the rear springs"? You can do a front shackle flip, rear lowering shackles or you can relocate the diff to the top of the of the leaf spring. Any of the above can mean a 5" drop in the rear. All but relocating the diff will result in the need to install pinion angle shims to keep the pinion angle in the stock position otherwise there will be driveline vibration issues. Lowering the rear may also require c-notching the frame for suspension travel clearance, depending on which method you choose.
What do you mean "flip the rear springs"? You can do a front shackle flip, rear lowering shackles or you can relocate the diff to the top of the of the leaf spring. Any of the above can mean a 5" drop in the rear. All but relocating the diff will result in the need to install pinion angle shims to keep the pinion angle in the stock position otherwise there will be driveline vibration issues. Lowering the rear may also require c-notching the frame for suspension travel clearance, depending on which method you choose.
Fleet Owner
Joined: Dec 2009
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From: NorCal
Super EZ...It ain't rocket science. If you can change a tire then you can install the DJM drop beams. The rear shackle flip is a bolt-on affair too... cutting out the rivets would be the toughest part IMO.
Btw, the DJM beams are universal for 67-79 F series. If you don't have discs, get the kinp pin kit for the later models and then head to the wrecking yard for a set of dentside disc brakes (spindles, calipers, shields, rotors) and, at a minimum, a master cylinder. Be a hero and get a booster for power brakes.
EDIT: You'll also want to grab the proportioning valve!
Btw, the DJM beams are universal for 67-79 F series. If you don't have discs, get the kinp pin kit for the later models and then head to the wrecking yard for a set of dentside disc brakes (spindles, calipers, shields, rotors) and, at a minimum, a master cylinder. Be a hero and get a booster for power brakes.
EDIT: You'll also want to grab the proportioning valve!
Last edited by HIO Silver; Feb 3, 2011 at 10:59 PM. Reason: Added one more needed part...
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From: Spokane, WA
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Wow, that Fatman kit is way over-priced. I'm currently relocating my rear axle to the top of the spring. No cheesy bolt on C-notch for me. It's costing me around $200. Should be 5 1/2" drop.
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Logistics Pro
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Measure your current ride height. Your truck probably is already higher in the rear, stock.
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Logistics Pro
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You cannot get 5" of front drop with Dream Beams. You would have to do an aftermarket IFS or CV swap. Most people that lower these trucks do not use the same tire size front and rear. I'm lowering my truck 3" in the front and 5" in the rear and when I'm done the truck will still sit a little higher in the rear.
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Thanks, I just saw from carcrafter22 that he installed a 06 crown vic interceptor front cosssmember (aluminum) into his f100. $400 looks relatively easy and you end up with independent susp. rack and pinion, 12" disc brakes, and stiffer front springs. Pull the engine and remove the old crossmember and " bolt" on the new one.
Decisions, decisions.......
Decisions, decisions.......
Fleet Owner
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 20,678
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From: NorCal
Thanks, I just saw from carcrafter22 that he installed a 06 crown vic interceptor front cosssmember (aluminum) into his f100. $400 looks relatively easy and you end up with independent susp. rack and pinion, 12" disc brakes, and stiffer front springs. Pull the engine and remove the old crossmember and " bolt" on the new one.
Decisions, decisions.......
Decisions, decisions.......
Like you said... decisions, decisions!
Logistics Pro
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 3,924
Likes: 273
Thanks, I just saw from carcrafter22 that he installed a 06 crown vic interceptor front cosssmember (aluminum) into his f100. $400 looks relatively easy and you end up with independent susp. rack and pinion, 12" disc brakes, and stiffer front springs. Pull the engine and remove the old crossmember and " bolt" on the new one.
Decisions, decisions.......
Decisions, decisions.......
Elder User
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 881
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From: Sudbury, ONT.
I flipped my diff to the top of the springs and the back end did sit lower than the front which has 1" dropped coils. I took the truck to a spring shop and they re-arched the rear springs to raise the back end. The best they could do was to get the truck to sit level when measured at the bottom of the fenders. It looks alright, but because the front end is taller, (distance from bottom of fender to top of hood), than the rear (distance from bottom of fender to top of box side). It creates the illusion that the truck is sitting lower in the rear.
I've since purchased the DJM 3/4 front/rear kit and I'll be putting the diff back under a set of new leaf springs. Hope this helps.
I've since purchased the DJM 3/4 front/rear kit and I'll be putting the diff back under a set of new leaf springs. Hope this helps.