lowering the rear of my 56
#1
lowering the rear of my 56
During the rebuild of my 56, starting this weekend, I plan to move the Dodge car rearend to the top of the springs. I know the frame will need to be notched for clearance. I want to use locally available parts. Which are better, round notches, like a piece of round tubing or pipe, or some bent from flat steel? I will be boxing the frame in that area also.
The rearend under my truck is from a 68-69 Dodge or Plymouth mid-size. I would like something with a slightly higher gear , but have been unable to find a replacement "punkin" for it.Any on here ever use a complete rearend from a newer Volare or similar Chrysler product?Thanks
The rearend under my truck is from a 68-69 Dodge or Plymouth mid-size. I would like something with a slightly higher gear , but have been unable to find a replacement "punkin" for it.Any on here ever use a complete rearend from a newer Volare or similar Chrysler product?Thanks
#2
During the rebuild of my 56, starting this weekend, I plan to move the Dodge car rearend to the top of the springs. I know the frame will need to be notched for clearance. I want to use locally available parts. Which are better, round notches, like a piece of round tubing or pipe, or some bent from flat steel? I will be boxing the frame in that area also.
#3
#4
Here's a nice link to Adam,s 53 he's dropping in the rear. He has some nice fab pictures of of how he's notching his. https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/9...ith-picts.html I been over to his house and its looking pretty nice.
#5
This is good advice, I inititally discounted these words of caution when I started my build some time ago but soon found out that they held merit. Here is a pic of my bed after I installed the bed floor risers...not only is the floor 2 inches higher but the whole bed is a lot stronger.
#6
Join Date: Apr 2002
Location: Littleton, New Hampshire
Posts: 8,808
Likes: 0
Received 4 Likes
on
3 Posts
I used a Mopar rear end in my 48 F-3 from an 87 Chrysler M-body. If you are planning on a cruiser it will hold up fine. The one I used had over 100K miles on it powered by a 318 so I figured it would hold up under my 350 just fine. So far it has. My only regret was that the ratio was too tall (2:26). The M-body does not have a removable third member so changing the ratio is not a do it yourself project. I mounted mine over the springs for extra lowering but I did not need a C-notch since I used the Chrysler rear springs as well. The Chrysler rear springs have more arch so they gave me additional clearance.
Here is a view of the truck from the side....
Here is a view of the truck from the side....
#7
Trending Topics
#9
#10
I have now discovered a broken torsion bar on my volare ifs.I will replace the torsion bars before I do anything to lower the rear.I want to see how the front "sets" with the replacement torsion bars . I might not need to lower the rear as much as I thought.
I have not replaced the bed wood in my truck yet so I can raise the bed floor if I need to.
I have not replaced the bed wood in my truck yet so I can raise the bed floor if I need to.
#11
You seem to be going through a large amount of work to have this particular rear end. You can install a MN12 IRS & get a 5" drop without altering anything except a minor cut into the rails. You can check out Team321 LLC Ford Truck Independent Rear Suspension (321)960-5945 dheld@cfl.rr.com as Dave makes a mount kit. You can also check The FORDification.com Forums • View topic - 1970 F100 CV/Thunderbird which is my build thread putting a MN12 under a bump using Dave's mounts.
#12
Thank you. I have actually been considering the irs swap.I've even thought about starting with another frame and swapping my cab & bed onto it , but the DMV in North Carolina is getting so strict I worry about having any parts on my truck with mismatching numbers. I might just go the irs route though.
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
jmartin99
1948 - 1956 F1, F100 & Larger F-Series Trucks
13
02-04-2019 11:05 PM
svooom
1948 - 1956 F1, F100 & Larger F-Series Trucks
5
03-23-2004 02:29 AM