Lowering the rear
Thread Starter
|
Senior User
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 335
Likes: 0
From: in my house
Lowering the rear
Help me a bit here fellas. I finally started on dad's 64 F100 and I am pulling the rear suspension to POR15 the frame. My Dakota front end conversion is on a UPS truck heading to MI as we speak and that will lower the front end around 6 inches. I want to lower the rear to even the truck out. This is all new to me, I am used to RAISING trucks, not lowering them. I cant have it too low, dad wont be able to get out, but it is gonna need to come down some to match front.
Do I flip the axle inbetween the spring and frame, or can I just get some de arched leaf springs to make it easier?
thanx
Do I flip the axle inbetween the spring and frame, or can I just get some de arched leaf springs to make it easier?
thanx
New User
Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 9
Likes: 0
depends on how much you want to spend.
DJM hanger and shackle kit will get you 4 inches and then you could go with some eaton springs for the rest of what you still need. proabably about 3-4 inches more.
you could get a flip kit to put the axle on top of the springs but this will require a some sort of c-notch in the frame. this option should get you about 6 inches.
you could go with a 4 link with airbags for adjustabillity and with you doing the dakota swap up front you could put bags in that as well and put the truck at whatever height you wanted to. this option will also require a c-notch.
DJM hanger and shackle kit will get you 4 inches and then you could go with some eaton springs for the rest of what you still need. proabably about 3-4 inches more.
you could get a flip kit to put the axle on top of the springs but this will require a some sort of c-notch in the frame. this option should get you about 6 inches.
you could go with a 4 link with airbags for adjustabillity and with you doing the dakota swap up front you could put bags in that as well and put the truck at whatever height you wanted to. this option will also require a c-notch.
Post Fiend
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 6,060
Likes: 7
From: Glendale Arizona
Notch the frame and flip the axle. This will give you about five to six inches depending on the leaf pack. It also keeps the stock drive line geometry if you weld the new pads on parallel to the old pads. Give Steve a call to send out a set of axle pads!
The lowering shackles will not get you far enough, and you have to mess with the angles. You can add a block to even things out. Purchase the correct length shocks for the lowered axle. This will still retain a decent ride using the stock leaf springs. A simple Notch can be made with a section of sch 40 6" inch pipe cut in half and used for each side. Plus side is as you have added a true half ton front suspension the axle flip mod still keeps it as a half ton, just make sure to add good poly bump stops.
Garbz
The lowering shackles will not get you far enough, and you have to mess with the angles. You can add a block to even things out. Purchase the correct length shocks for the lowered axle. This will still retain a decent ride using the stock leaf springs. A simple Notch can be made with a section of sch 40 6" inch pipe cut in half and used for each side. Plus side is as you have added a true half ton front suspension the axle flip mod still keeps it as a half ton, just make sure to add good poly bump stops.
Garbz
Thread Starter
|
Senior User
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 335
Likes: 0
From: in my house
garbz,
This is a stupid question, but I want to get this right. I flip the axle first to get the c notch in the right spot, or does it not matter what order? I got the truck on my nephew's hoist and it is only a matter of time before he brings me an engine or trans job. I am putting in the dakota kit this weekend and hope I have enough time to do the c- notch while I have it near my welder.
This is a stupid question, but I want to get this right. I flip the axle first to get the c notch in the right spot, or does it not matter what order? I got the truck on my nephew's hoist and it is only a matter of time before he brings me an engine or trans job. I am putting in the dakota kit this weekend and hope I have enough time to do the c- notch while I have it near my welder.
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
68mustang
Brakes, Steering, Suspension, Tires, & Wheels
5
Mar 8, 2023 11:26 PM
matt1982
Brakes, Steering, Suspension, Tires, & Wheels
5
Nov 18, 2008 05:32 PM
