Don't think that's the problem. Original Y-block and FE 390 weigh the same at 625 lbs. Most likely just old springs.

 

Be careful, 56 used shorter springs than the 53-55. Same springs cannot fit 48-56.
Measure your springs and get replacement spring length before purchasing. May be the reason they are for sale?
looking closer at the pix of your springs they look pretty sagged out and probably ought to be replaced no matter which axle you decide to use.

 

Yeah that's what I've been told many times over. I too thought that the 390 was a heavier chunk of Iron.

Hey no prob. It's always better to learn from other peoples mistakes! Putting myself int he market for a dropped axle too. Thanks for the comment on the wheels. Paid $100 for the set of 4 from a guy on CL, just as you see them. I had to put the rubber on 'em. Gotta love CL!!

As a matter of fact, yes we have one of the biggest spring shops around, over in Portland as well as another shop too. As for the engine, it's in there just as TD Performance designed it to be. There is no real adjustment other then forward or aft. and that's not gonna do much good. The engine crossmember bolts in (or welds) to the top of the frame rail. Should be able to see it in one of the pics I just posted. i may be able to raise the entire assembly (trans and all) maybe another inch or two, and then it'd be up against the floor board. There isn't enough room at the back of the cyl. head to clear the firewall if just the engine is raised, so the whole shebang would have to come up. And then there is the possible re-fabrication of all my linkage, lines, and hoses.
And yes, definitely gonna check the freeplay in the steering box.

Ok, thanks for the info, Ax. I'll be sure to ask him that. I thought they were all the same too, might have saved me a few bucks already! I still have reservations about even using drop springs, I think it willonly hinder my situation. Was thinking I need stock springs and then use a drop axle to get it back down where it was to start with. My thinking is that should give me the needed pan and bump stop clearance while maintaining (or at least close to) my current ride height. Was hoping to find a drop axle from someone on here that may have switched to IFS. Either way, I think you're right, the springs need to be dealt with before i can start chasing other possible problems with the front end. I'll have to call the spring shop this week and see what they'd charge to re-arch my springs I have now. Just trying not to take the truck down too long... still enjoy driving it, even with all of it's little problems.

 

When I was looking at them for my 50, other members warned me away from them for the fact that the 48-52 and 53-later springs were different widths.

If I remember correctly, he said they came off of a 53. Been over a month since I emailed him, so I am surprised they were still on CL when I saw your thread.

 

OOPs, only the rear spring length changed in 55-56, the fronts were all the same length.
Mid Fifty sells just main leafs in stock or axle forward style.

 

I was checking into that, Ax. I see you caught it too. Yeah i knew the rears were different '55-'56 were different than the earlier years. Didn't know much about the front but it would have made sense because of the rears. Called the guy, left a message. Haven't heard back yet.