How are these trucks lowered so much, my question is, if I lower mine 6" the rear will hit the bed.

Hoping to lower at least 3" front and rear with larger tires, just wondering if 3" of travel is enough between rear and bed.

Here's how it sits now, replacing all the wheels and rims with probably 17" rims and less of an offset, the rear tires will hit the fenders if lowered now, DEEP dish no offset.

15" rims on now.






Better shot here of the way it sticks out a 1/2 to 3/4" with offset now. Rear Tire.

 

Are your current wheel 8" front & 10" rear wheels? wanted to see how yours will sit when you finish

 

Tires measure at 12" back 10" front, probably correct on that rim size, probably going with a slighter thinner tire front and rear, plenty of room there anyway, still have 3" from back of rear tire to bed and leaf.

Lose 2" of offset and good to go.

Just wondering about how these trucks are slammed on the ground and rear doesn't hit bed, unless raised.

 

C notch the frame and raise the floor or at least the section above the C notch to clear the frame.

 

Nice looking truck. What do you have for a suspension in it now?

 

Thank You,

Was told a late 80s chevy pick up, looks it up front, heavy duty.

Will take it to my spring guy and see if stiffer leafs will ride fine with 3" of clearance.

Won't be loading it up with broken concrete anytime soon.

 

Hey Rich, is that garage in the background yours? Been by there a few times with a buddy of mine who lives nearby in Manorville. He's got a '62 vette, '62 Imapla SS, and a nice black '57 T-bird. Been trying to talk him into an old truck. He's thought about a '56 F-100.

Watching the answers to your question as I'm thinking of lowering my '52 maybe 2-3" in front and an inch or so in back. Not sure the best way or how much you can drop the front before steering and hitting become an issue. It's a ways away for me, yet.

 

That garage is a museum run by the Suffolk Sheriffs Dept, think it was 1 mile north of 495 exit 67 north to 25, google it, neat place for photos, called ahead, they said fine, it was closed that day.

 

I lowered my 56.

The after pic is actually loaded with weight in the bed so normally it sits about an inch higher.`

Pics, before and after...

 

Nice looking truck. Could you tell us a little more about how you lowered it and what modifications, if any, you had to do to make it work?

 

Nice truck, I figure with larger rims and tires and 3" more in the drop, it should sit just about like that, could always add new stops between frame and axle to protect the bed, just in case.

 

Thanks! The front of the truck has a Ford LTD front clip.The rear is a 1972 Ford Torino 9 inch.

I had the springs flipped to the bottom of the axle. While they had the truck they cut the front coil springs to even it out.
After I got it back I did not like the ride with the cut springs so I changed them myself.

I ordered brand new lowering coil springs from Eaton Spring. They were very good working with me to get me the spring I needed. It was a little difficult because I had to order a spring for a 1970 LTD. I knew the original springs was about 3 inches too high but the best they would commit to was 2 inches lower. As it turned out I got 2 maybe just a little more than 2 but it was enough - after all I need it to be drivable. It drives really smooth with the new springs... like an LTD! (sort of)

The rear had air shocks before but after the flip they were too long (they bottomed out) so replaced them with shorter air shocks. I put air shocks back in because it is not notched and I could always pick it up if needed. Although, I still may have to notch it someday. So far I have not had a problem but the air shocks do limit the travel a little.

The wheels are 2005 Mustang - needed 1" spacers for the front and 1.5" for the back because of the offset (they are 18 X 8.5). Worked out well because I needed to change the bolt pattern anyway. The LTD and other 70's full size fords were 5.5 the wheels are 4.5 (114.3).

Tires:
Rear- 245 60 18
Front- 235 50 18

 

Rich56, are you on LI? I just moved from there to AZ a couple years ago.
I was in Bay Shore.

 

Yes, Hicksville.

Just curious, do you have any issues with the tires hitting the front fenders on turns if the truck has to go over a bump or dip?

 

Very nice truck, I have the same wheels waiting in the wings for another truck project. Can I ask where you got your wheel adapters and have you driven much with them? I also need adapters but am leery of the ebay specials, I dont want to lose a wheel after hitting a pothole or a burnout
Do you know how much clearance in inches you have between the rear axle and the frame rail and have you had any bottoming out issues? I should be around 3" with mine and am considering if I should C notch the frame or not. Thanks!